The 2023 USL Championship Playoffs kick off this Saturday, featuring top-seeded Republic FC hosting New Mexico United in the first round. The Indomitable Club begins its playoff campaign following three straight victories to close out the regular season.
At a Glance: #SACvNM
- 7:00 PM PT Kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- USL Championship Playoffs – Western Conference Quarterfinal
- Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, ESPN+
- Giveaway: Yellow and Red Cards courtesy of the Office of Traffic Safety
Republic FC – The Latest
Last week against Miami FC, Republic FC club closed out the regular season with record-setting achievements and its 18th win of the campaign. In the second half, a curling service from Nick Ross found Russell Cicerone crashing the net for the winner – setting a new all-time mark for goals scored by the club in a single season at 51. A stellar defensive performance earned Danny Vitiello a record 22nd shutout in a Sacramento jersey, as well as the 2023 Golden Glove award with a Goals Against Average rating of 0.83 and the league’s best save percentage. The victory also marked the squad’s 11th at home this season – the best mark in club history.
Know Your Opponent
New Mexico surged into the playoffs with three straight wins against strong opponents to close the regular season. Dating to September 15, the club has only lost once, claiming four wins in six matches to go with one draw. Their season finale 4-1 win over Memphis 901 FC, with goals coming from Harry Swartz, Zico Bailey, and a brace from Greg Hurst, secured their playoff berth. Armando Moreno tallied two assists as they put down the East’s #4 seed in emphatic fashion.
Players to Watch
New Mexico’s attacking unit fueled the club’s late-season streak. Hurst, Moreno, and Sergio Rivas all have made an impact on the scoresheet, and have history against Republic FC. Moreno and Hurst each made the Week 32 Team of the Week, with Hurst tallying two scores and Moreno two assists. Moreno scored against Sacramento in the two sides first matchup this year on July 22.
Entering the playoffs, Sacramento has a breadth of experience to lean on with 18 players on the roster possessing postseason experience. Rodrigo Lopez leads the squad with 11 all-time postseason appearances, tallying five goals and four assists. For his career against New Mexico, Lopez has tallied 1 goal and four assists in seven games.
Head-to-Head
Across eight all-time meetings with United, Republic FC has a record of four wins, two losses, and two draws. In regular season play this year, New Mexico won the first matchup 3-0. Back at Heart Health Park, the two sides split the points in a 0-0 draw on September 20. There is postseason history between the two clubs – first in 2019 and again in 2022. Republic FC bested New Mexico in the opening round of the playoffs on both occasions. Last season’s Conference Quarterfinal matchup saw Sacramento advance following second-half scores by Maalique Foster and Keko, each assisted by Rodrigo Lopez.
