Western Conference leaders Republic FC closes out the regular season this Saturday from Heart Health Park. South Florida club Miami FC visits Sacramento for the first-ever meeting, with playoff implications on the line for both sides. It’s Fan Appreciation Night alongside the match – where the club will salute the league’s best fans who have cheered for the squad all season long.
At a Glance: #SACvMIA
- 7:00 PM PT Kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, ESPN+
- Promotion: Fan Appreciation Night
- Giveaway: UC Davis Seat Cushions to first 850 fans
Republic FC – The Latest
Republic FC enters the match on consecutive victories. Last week, the club’s come-from-behind win put them over Rio Grande Valley FC and secured the club the Western Conference regular season title. It was a resilient performance, as on two occasions the club fought back to equalize from a deficit. Luther Archimède – the league-leader in goals as a substitute – scoring in his second straight game as he netted the winner in the 69th minute. Heroics from Danny Vitiello netted the keeper a nomination for Save of the Week.
Know Your Opponent
As one of two teams in the East whose playoff fate has yet to be settled, Saturday’s game is a must-win for Miami FC. Any other result will require help from Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC against Detroit City – who also has yet to be eliminated.
Miami FC has surged back above the playoff line in recent weeks with four straight victories, and strong performances against top clubs throughout the second half. Between September 24 and 30, the club recorded consecutive clean sheets shutting out Birmingham Legion and Hartford Athletic, and before then, posted four goals in a victory over Louisville City FC. Last week, a come-from-behind effort kept their run going against Charleston Battery – currently second in the East – after a 56th minute penalty and 80th minute winner erased an early deficit.
Players to Watch
Former Quail Joaquin Rivas was named the league’s Player of the Week for Week 31 as the striker tallied a goal and assist apiece in a 2-1-win Saturday over Charleston. In his last four games, Rivas has scored four goals, including a brace on September 20 against Louisville City FC. Since the start of August, he has been one of the league’s most potent attackers, netting nine of his ten goals on the season – second in the league in that time behind current golden boot leader Albert Dikwa.
Sacramento’s chance creation was the focal point in Week 31 against Rio Grande Valley – Jack Gurr and Keko combined for nine chances created and were each credited with assists, including two from Gurr. Keko enters the final week of the regular season in third league-wide in assists with eight, two back of league leaders Jorge Hernandez and Kenardo Forbes (10).
Head to Head
Sacramento and Miami have yet to face off since the latter’s entry into USL Championship in 2020. On the season, Sacramento has an unbeaten 5-0-6 record against Eastern Conference clubs, scoring 21 goals and conceding eight. Miami has gone 4-4-3 against the West, scoring 17 goals and allowing 12.
