For the second straight year, Republic FC is undefeated through the first two months of league play and has claimed the top spot in the Western Conference as the calendar turns to May.
The Indomitable Club entered April in a three-way tie on points for the #1 spot. Just four weeks later, Republic FC has propelled itself to sit alone atop the Western Conference standings, gaining 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw) in the last four matches.
April Overview
- April 6: 2-0 W at Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Trevor Amann scores in the 5th minute, followed up by Russell Cicerone adding his first goal of the campaign later in the half. Read the recap >>
- April 13: 1-1 D vs. FC Tulsa. Rodrigo Lopez scores his first goal of the season and Luis Felipe picks up an assist. Read the recap >>
- April 20: 2-0 W at Orange County SC. In the top-of-the-table clash, Trevor Amann scores the fastest goal in club history at 15 seconds and Aldair Sanchez scores his first career goal. Read the recap >>
- April 27: 3-1 W vs. Loudoun United FC. Super-sub Kieran Phillips scores a brace in six minutes to close out an undefeated month. Read the recap >>
Here are some key areas where Republic FC has stood above the West this past month.
Getting a Head Start
Republic FC set the tone early in each of its April games, scoring six total first-half goals, more than any other team in the Western Conference. The standout moment game in the club’s 2-0 win over Orange County SC on April 20. Just 15 seconds after kickoff, Trevor Amann scored the fastest goal in club history. Once ahead, a full-team defensive effort held Orange County just one shot on target for the entire match.
Through 810 minutes played (including added time), Sacramento is the only team across all of USL Championship to have never trailed at any point this season.
Lockdown Defense
The Indomitable Club’s defense has continued to stifle the opposition, conceding just two goals in all of April, the fewest of any team in the West. Two of the victories were clean sheets, resulting in a 0.5 Goals-Against Average for Danny Vitiello, the best mark among keepers who played more than three matches.
But it’s not just Vitiello’s stellar goalkeeping that continues to give Republic FC the edge. The entire squad has put pressure on opponents all over the field, resulting in few big chances – only allowing eight shots on target for the entire month, at least six fewer than any other team in the Western Conference. Center backs Conor Donovan, Lee Desmond, and Jared Timmer have continued to anchor the defense, starting in every game so far this season. In April, the trio combined for 36 clearances, 75 duels won, and 15 tackles won.
Offense is Clicking
Led by its three strikers each with a pair of goals, Republic FC’s offense has picked up steam in April, scoring a conference-best eight goals, a two-goal improvement from March.
Subs Have an Impact
While the club saw plenty of early-match success in April, its substitutes have proven key in closing out games. As opponents pushed for last-minute goals, Republic FC’s super subs continued to seize control of the game and press up top, combining for 9 shots and six chances created. Both of the club’s second half goals came from substitute Kieran Phillips, who netted a brace in just his second USL Championship appearance on April 27.
They’ve also played a huge role in Republic FC’s unrelenting end-of-game defensive stronghold, winning a combined 29 duels and 12 recoveries to limit opponents to just two shots on target in the final 15 minutes.
Head-to-Head
Republic FC continued to put the pressure on its Western Conference foes in April, posting a record of two wins and one draw. Both wins came on the road, including a 2-0 win over Orange County that pushed the Indomitable Club to the top spot after the two sides earned identical results through the first six weeks of the season. No other team in the league earned two away victories for the month.
In intraconference play, Republic FC outshot its opponents 45 to 20 and created 38 chances compared to a combined 16. The club also posted a goal differential of +4 in head-to-head Western Conference matches, the best mark of the month, even with two clubs playing an extra match in the West.
Looking Forward
Next month, Republic FC will have just one opportunity to take points from another Western Conference opponent – a road match against Phoenix Rising FC on May 4. The club will also face off with Monterey Bay F.C. on May 7 for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, a preview of the two Northern California sides’ rivalry ahead of their two league contests later this year (June 8 and October 9). Tickets for the Open Cup match are available now >>
Two interconference matchups are in store – Rhode Island FC on May 8 and Birmingham Legion on May 25. Since the start of the 2023 season, Republic FC has gone unbeaten against Eastern Conference sides in 13 straight matches (7-0-6) with a goal differential of +16, setting the stage for the Indomitable Club to show that it can hold its own in both conferences in pursuit of another championship
