Following a big result on the road, the Indomitable Club returns home this week as the last remaining unbeaten team in the Western Conference and one of four undefeated in USL Championship. The squad welcomes Loudoun United FC to Heart Health Park this Saturday for an inter-conference contest – the first between the two squads in Sacramento since 2022 and only the third all-time.
Republic FC’s last result was a big one, securing the top spot in the Western Conference standings. The club showed strong defensively again and found the net first, earning a league-best fourth clean sheet and the fastest goal in club history along the way.
“I thought Saturday was the best performance of the year so far,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs on Thursday. “I thought we were dominant in every phase of the game, so hopefully we can bring that form into Saturday’s game and put on a good show at home.”
Loudoun United comes to Sacramento this week after a strong start to the season. Through six games, the club boasts the second-best conversion rate in the league at 21%. They showed well defensively last week in a tight match with Eastern Conference heavyweight Louisville City, keeping the club without a shot on target until the final ten minutes.
“Loudoun’s started the season well, and they’re a different team than what they were last year,” Briggs continued. “They’ve brought in some experienced players. It’s a game I’m looking forward to.”
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said forward Trevor Amann on Loudoun United. “I think they’re a well-organized team defensively. We just need to continue to do what we’re doing. This week at training we’ve continually gotten better and better every day, so I think it’s going to be a good match.”
Sacramento’s defensive form has hit its stride in recent weeks. The club has recorded a clean sheet in three of its last four games, and only let by one goal in that span. Republic FC now leads the league in shutouts and has conceded the fewest goals of any team in the league as a result. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello leads his positional group once again with a league-best 0.33 goals against average mark through six appearances.
“When you have a hunger and a desire to keep the ball out of your own net, and then you have the quality we do to put the ball in the opposition’s net, you’re always in for a good chance to get the points,” Briggs said on the club’s defense. “We’ve got to continue on this path, be focused on a daily basis and continue to trust one another.
“When you have eleven guys on the field that want to defend and get behind the ball, it makes it hard for the other team to break you down,” said Vitiello of the club’s defensive efforts. “Credits to the staff, they put out a good game plan, and every week we work towards getting the clean sheet. This week is no different.”
