Mid-week football is back this week, with Republic FC facing off with Phoenix Rising FC for the first time this season Wednesday night. It’s the first contest between the two sides since last September. Sacramento remains in first place entering the match, leading the West with 35 points.
At a Glance: #SACvPHX
- 8:00 p.m. PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Tickets – Match Tickets also provide admission to the California State Fair
- Women’s World Cup Watch Party: USAvNED starting at 6:00PM
- Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, ESPN+
Republic FC – The Latest
Sacramento fell 3-0 to New Mexico United on the weekend, just the club’s third loss this season. After going into the half down a goal, two quick scores on either side of the hour mark gave the hosts a cushion they wouldn’t concede. Sacramento went without a goal for only the fifth time this season, and conceded more than one score in a match for the first time in 2023. Jack Gurr returned from injury as a substitute, making his first appearance since June 24.
Know Your Opponent
Rising FC has been one of the West’s toughest to play against this season. Only four points separate them from third place, and Manager Juan Guerra’s side has posted the fourth-best scoring differential in the West through 19 games. Twice they have gone on impressive unbeaten runs, posting five straight without defeat from April 1 to April 29 and again from June 10 to June 24.
Phoenix’s visit to Sacramento kicks off a two-match tour of Northern California. The club comes North from the desert after a 1-1 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC saw them steal a point in thrilling fashion. Each side put constant pressure on their opponent’s backline, with Colorado Springs breaking through just before the break. After what appeared to be a 80th minute equalizing score was disallowed, the club pulled even just before the start of second-half stoppage time.
Players to Watch
Striker Manuel Arteaga has been one of the league’s best up top since the start of the summer. The forward surged into the Golden Boot conversation with scores in five consecutive matches from June 10 to July 1, earning him Player of the Month honors. Former Las Vegas Lights man Danny Trejo forms a notable tandem with Arteaga and is second on the club this season with eight scores.
Keko has been stellar for Sacramento in recent weeks, both off the bench and in the starting XI. After assisting the club’s late equalizer as a substitute against Memphis on July 15, the Spaniard tallied four chances and led his club with six entries into the final third against New Mexico.
Head to Head
Phoenix and Sacramento have a long history – the two have faced off 22 times, making the Arizona club Sacramento’s third-most frequently faced opponent behind LA Galaxy II and Orange County SC all-time. The fixture is even, with each side claiming seven wins and splitting points eight times. Republic FC has the edge in contests played at Heart Health Park with a 4-3-4 record in 11 games.
