The Boys in Old Glory Red will be facing an unfamiliar foe in the most familiar of environments. Republic FC prepares to kick off its four-game homestand with Connecticut’s Hartford Athletic visiting Heart Health Park, where the two clubs will face off for the second time ever.
Last week, Sacramento responded to its second loss of the year with a shutout draw against FC Tulsa. The league’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Danny Vitiello remains the leader in the Western Conference with seven clean sheets so far this season.
“The performance was very important in Tulsa. I felt it was the first time in probably two or three weeks that we actually played with our identity and showed the intensity and the quality in the game,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs.
Sitting three points out of the top spot in the West, the squad has been dialed into the details of training this week. Republic FC remains one of the league’s top teams, while their competition from the East is entering this match coming off of a tough 1-0 loss at home against Tampa Bay. The team shared their emphasis on devoting time to their identity, and the importance of coming together as a unit.
“Training has been intense. I think we’re looking to build off of our part of our performance in Tulsa of just getting back to our identity of working hard and working for each other,” said Republic FC defender Shane Wiedt.
“One of the great things about the group is the togetherness, and the club environment we have,” Briggs continued. “And I think when you go through moments like this you need to stick together, you need to have one another’s back, and you need to trust that you’re going to come out the other side in a better place. We’ve just got to continue to focus on what we do on a daily basis and the goals will come.”
Hartford will experience the passionate and energetic crowds of Heart Health Park for the first time ever. This head-to-head will be a good opportunity for the club’s supporters to make a first impression to begin July’s homestretch.
“We need more energy,” stated Briggs. “I think you know in the San Jose game, we were kind of struggling, and the fans got behind us and brought us around. We need that right now.”
Briggs emphasizes the home crowd’s crucial role in supporting its team, “We’re going to need the fans to get behind us to back the players to give the players confidence. And you’ll see the players pull through because of the atmosphere that’s created by the fans.”
