Republic FC came home from Sin City with three points in hand, making for a two win, six point week for the club. A hot night in Las Vegas with temperatures well into the triple digits at kickoff made for difficult conditions to get a result – but Sacramento got the job done to send them to their next stop on a high note. A goal on both sides of the break were all that was needed as they battled with another conference foe.
With a congested schedule, roster rotation and difficult opponents , Republic FC has held firm at the top of the Western Conference. After a tough loss last Saturday in New Mexico, the club rebounded with stellar performances each time out. In Las Vegas Saturday, they kept their momentum going.
“When you come away from home, you have to find a way to get points,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs after Saturday’s win at Las Vegas. “It wasn’t easy, but the guys found a way to come away with three points..”
Sacramento again made their mark on the game early, playing aggressive football after the opening whistle. After having a 13th minute attempt cleared off the line, Russell Cicerone was rewarded for his constant pressure with a score in the 31st – his 12th on the year – by way of a diving header to finish a cross from Keko from the right flank. It was the club’s league-leading 22nd first half goal this season, and earned a nomination for Goal of the Week.
Cicerone, Keko and Zeiko Lewis have all shined in tandem atop the club’s formation since mid-July. The trio has combined for six goals and four assists since the club’s July 15 draw with Memphis 901 FC. Cicerone has scored in three of four matches, while Keko and Lewis have produced their finest stretches of the season. Lewis has scored in consecutive games for the first time as a member of the Quails, and Keko has assisted in three of the club’s past four games, adding a goal Wednesday against Phoenix.
“After New Mexico we felt we needed to really take a look at ourselves,” said Lewis after netting the winner on Saturday in Las Vegas. “I think that loss definitely brought out the best in all of us. I think everybody took a look at themselves and said, you know what, I could do a little bit more. And now we’re benefiting from that little bit of extra effort that we’re putting in as a team now.”
The production and turnaround comes amidst the club’s toughest stretch of the season. A stretch of three games in eight days turns into a four-match road trip that takes the club to two East Coast cities. After this weekend’s match at local rival Monterey Bay, Sacramento visits Birmingham Legion and Loudoun United – two sides that have routinely been tough to play against this year.
“A lot of guys are getting an opportunity right now, and they’re taking those opportunities,” said Briggs. “I’m really pleased for Zeiko Lewis tonight to score the winner. You know, at the end of the game, [for] Keko to produce another fantastic performance and Russell [Cicerone] just keeps doing what Russell does. So we’ve just got to keep everyone healthy and keep everyone in form and put a run together now.”
