This Sunday, Republic FC will look to pick up its fourth straight home win with a contest against Western Conference leader New Mexico United. The Indomitable Club is currently in third place in the table, just one point back from second place Colorado Springs Switchbacks and on the brink of reaching the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons.
These two clubs faced off just last week in Albuquerque, with New Mexico taking all three points. On Saturday, Republic FC lost to Las Vegas Lights FC on the road, just the second time that the club has gone without a point in back-to-back matches in the last two seasons.
“I think these last two games were a learning moment for all of us,” said First Team Assistant Coach Martín Vásquez. “But we’ve got to move on, and the preparation has been good. I think the guys are going to be rested and they’re going to be sharp on Sunday.”
The Quails are returning to play in front of a home crowd that has continued to show up for its club this year, including a two-game sellout streak that is expected to be followed up with a full house on Sunday.
“It’s a great opportunity to prove to ourselves, to prove to our fans, that those games didn’t show who we are,” said Vásquez. “The team is excited to come out on Sunday and kick off a good stretch of games to close out the season.”
“Playoffs are coming up and we need to hit a good run of form,” said forward Russell Cicerone. “We’re playing the top team in the West, and we’re at home, so we need to come out and show who we’re about and get three points.”
“We were really pleased with how we played through the first part of the game. We were controlling the ball, creating better chances. And then we had a lapse for about 15 minutes and that’s what made the difference,” he said on last week’s loss to New Mexico. “But we know what we’re capable of, and when we’re playing our best, we know the game is going to be in our favor.”
And while New Mexico is likely to clinch the #1 seed that Sacramento claimed last year, the focus for Cicerone and the club for the next six matches is clear: “It’s just about getting hot before playoffs. If you look at the last champions around the league, they’ve all hit a good run of form heading in the postseason so that’s our focus in these last few weeks.”
