The 2024 playoffs are almost here, but there is still a lot to play for in the final two weeks of the regular season. Republic FC continues to be near the top in a tight race for home playoff games, and will now have an opportunity to clinch a top-four seed when the club travels to face El Paso Locomotive FC this Saturday.
Last time out, the squad picked up a valuable point in a scoreless draw at Memphis 901 FC. Despite tired legs and all the challenges that come with playing three games in eight days, Republic FC held strong to get its league-leading 15th clean sheet of the year, setting a new club record.
“Last week’s performance definitely gives us momentum, and now we just want to build on that and get a good result in El Paso,” said midfielder Luis Felipe. “The focus is keeping up our confidence and energy in these last two games and carrying it into the playoffs.”
El Paso is just one of two Western Conference teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention, but with nothing to lose – and retirement celebrations for defenders Yuma and Eder Borelli after the match – a win on Saturday will be no easy feat. “They’re a group that’s playing without any fear, they’ve got nothing to lose,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “These games can become dangerous if you don’t have the right mindset and attitude going in. And for us, we’ve just got to go in and play our way and we’ll get the points.”
Heading in the weekend, Sacramento is in third place in the table, just one point behind Las Vegas Lights. A win over El Paso (or a combination of other results from around the league) would secure hosting rights for a Western Conference Quarterfinal match and keep the club within reach of catching Lights FC for the second seed in next week’s regular season finale.
“We know the next two games are going to be tough, but things are still in our hands,” said midfielder Nick Ross. “We want to finish in the top four and we want to still challenge for second, and two wins puts us in a position to do that.”
