The Boys In Old Glory Red prepare to face an unfamiliar opponent from the East. This Saturday, Republic FC will conclude its four-game homestand by going head-to-head with North Carolina FC. The two clubs will face off for the first time ever under the carnival lights presented by the California State Fair.
Last Tuesday, the squad fought a ferocious ninety-minute battle against the four-time Open Cup Champion Seattle Sounders. While facing a roster complimented by nine national team players, the Indomitable Club continued to push for the entire final 45, with substitute Sebastian Herrera heading a massive goal, amongst a sellout crowd in the 49th minute for a 2-1 final score. The loss is only the second time at Heart Health Park where an MLS club has gone home victorious. Overall, the Indomitable Club continues to sit among the best in Open Cup home history, 21-3 including the 2022 win over Sporting Kansas City.
Coming off of the result of Tuesday’s match-up, Head Coach Mark Briggs emphasized the club’s mindset this week. “I’ve been telling these guys all year long that if your mentality is right, and you’re courageous, it doesn’t matter who’s in the opposing half of the field. We can give anyone a game, and I think we showed that on Tuesday night. So we’ve just got to take all that momentum, all that confidence, all that courage that we showed, and continue to play at that level.”
The Indomitable Club is no stranger to what momentum can do for a side. Jack Gurr explains, “I think it was a performance more like us, more like a Sacramento Republic that we’re known for. Getting the crowd into the game and playing with that intensity is something I think we’ve gotten away from a little bit recently.” The squad now reenergized, stands to improve off of Tuesday’s Open Cup match.
North Carolina’s return to The Championship marks the first match-up for both clubs. “They’re a good team. Every team in this league is a good site, so we’ll be looking to play to our strengths, and bit more of what we showed the other night, and if we turn up we can beat anybody,” says Gurr.
Saturday’s match will be special beyond the pitch. Republic FC presents one of the most unique experiences in American soccer, with the California State Fair as the backdrop of Heart Health Park. The exuberant State Fair atmosphere coupled with the passionate and energetic presence of Republic fans looks to create a memorable welcoming for the foes from the east.
Since the beginning in 2014, the State Fair and the Indomitable Club have collaborated, each summer to create these unforgettable match day experiences. Briggs recalls his own fond State Fair memories, “I think my first experience with that was a semi-final of the Open Cup against Kansas City. So good memories and experiences with the fair…the whole atmosphere is a party atmosphere, a fun atmosphere, a happy atmosphere, and then hopefully we can take the atmosphere into three points.”
