After a brief pitstop at home for last Saturday’s match, the Indomitable Club goes back on the road to take on the leaders of the East, Louisville City FC to defend its spotless away record.
While unlucky in meeting the back of the net in last Saturday’s match, Republic FC still had the Hounds beat in total shots (18) total chances created (11), and had dominant possession over the match. Reflecting on the performance against Pittsburgh last Saturday, Republic FC forward Kieran Phillips mentions, “I think we did some of what we wanted to do, but we obviously didn’t get the result. I think we created a lot of chances, but we didn’t put them away.” The intense and physical showdown from the match brought about more than just potential chances near the net.
The injury for Republic FC defender Shane Wiedt during last Saturday’s match generated an opportunity for The Quails to showcase the depth of its decorated roster. In just the 19th minute of the match, 17-year-old homegrown player Chibi Ukaegbu made his USL Championship debut. Chibi provided a stellar opening performance on the backline with 3 clearances, 2 of 3 aerial duels won, and a game-leading 4 interceptions. “It’s just the next-man-up kind of mentality. We’re all going for Shane, he’s been really good, and for him to go down and get an injury like that, it’s devastating for all of us, because we’re all so close. But Chibi, he was ready to come in and do a job, and he did fantastic. And now we need to stick together and get results,” says Republic FC defender Jack Gurr.
Now turning their attention to the mission of this week, the squad prepares for its face-off with eastern foes, LouCity. “We need to be a lot more clinical this week, and I think all over the pitch, we need to do our jobs, and we’re going to take that on the road again,” says Phillips
This will be the third all-time matchup between the two clubs. Sacramento hosted the last meeting in 2023, where The Quails walked away with a 5-0 victory.
“[Last time out] It can give us some confidence. A lot of the same players are playing in this game as the one last season, but I think it’s just all about us and our game plan and putting it together, and going there and getting a result,” says Republic FC defender Jack Gurr.
On Saturday, LouCity, a strong home force of the East, will meet an unblemished on-the-road Sacramento squad – who is no stranger to showing up in big games this season. Hungry Republic FC forward Kieran Phillips mentions, “It’s going to be a good game, and it’s gonna be a tough game. We’ve done really well on the road this season, and obviously we’re going there to get three points.”
