Coming off consecutive wins, first-place Republic FC heads to the desert for a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference final at Phoenix Rising FC – off to its own strong start. The Indomitable Club remains unbeaten on the season entering the match and are winners of four of its last five contests.
At a Glance: #SACvPHX
- 7:30 PM PT kickoff
- Phoenix Rising Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
- Watch: FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com, FOX40 News Mobile App,
- Streaming: ESPN+
Republic FC – The Latest
Republic FC secured its second straight win last Saturday in dramatic fashion. After a 1-1 affair with Eastern Conference side Loudoun United through 85 minutes, Huddersfield Town loanee Kieran Phillips found the back of the net twice for the club in his home debut. Sacramento’s substitutes changed the game in the second half, with Jonathan Ricketts and Rafa Jauregui also putting in stellar shifts defensively after entering alongside Phillips with 15 minutes to go. Phillips’ performance earned him a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week in just his second game with Sacramento.
The calendar turns to May after a strong April where the squad recorded three wins and a draw, gained ten points in the standings, and extended its unbeaten run to open the season to eight games. Sacramento was the top club in the league away from home, claiming two victories, and conceded only two scores the entire month. The squad was the top scoring team in the West on the month, with 13 goals.
Know Your Opponent
Phoenix welcomes the Quails as winners in two of its last three matches. Last week, Rising bested league debutant Rhode Island FC 3-1 after an early brace by forward Remi Cabral put them up two by the 35-minute mark. The contest was the club’s second three-goal outing in four weeks, after an eventful 3-3 draw with FC Tulsa on April 5.
Cabral has led a return to form for his club in the last four weeks – tallying two braces and five total scores in April. He’s among the league’s leaders in expected goals (3.46), and his pair of multi-score games rank first in the league this season alongside Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Cal Jennings. The Frenchman has been supported primarily by Panos Armenakas, whose 17 chances created ranks fourth in USL Championship through eight weeks.
Match Notes
Saturday’s match marks the 26th all-time contest for Sacramento against Phoenix. It’s been a tight all-time series, with Republic FC tallying eight wins, eight draws and nine defeats. The all-time scoring balance favors Sacramento at 13-7.
Forward Russell Cicerone has scored in two of his last three games against Phoenix. Last July 26, he netted the second of four goals for the club in a 4-0 win. He scored the opening goal in the 2023 Western Conference Final at Heart Health Park.
