Overview: SAC @ MB
- Date: Saturday, August 29
- Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Cardinale Stadium (Seaside, CA)
- Watch: FOX40+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
Know Your Club – Republic FC
Another NorCal battle awaits as Republic FC makes the quick road trip down the coast on Saturday. The Indomitable Club comes into the weekend undefeated in seven of its last eight matches, and is continuing to build as the final stretch of the regular season approaches.
Last weekend, the squad earned an important point in the Western Conference table with a 2-2 draw against Phoenix Rising. The squad came out hot and put two goals away in the first 30 minutes. First, Mayele Malango floated a cross to Tyler Wolff, who reacted faster than the defender to head the ball in. Next up, Danny Crisostomo intercepted a Phoenix outlet pass and moved the ball forward to Memo Rodriguez for a beautiful chip over the keeper. Republic FC didn’t give away many chances on the night, but ultimately Phoenix would capitalize on their limited opportunities to score at the end of each half to split the points.
From the addition of two-time Player of the Year finalist Cal Jennings – who made his club debut last weekend and will continue to work his way into the team – to a new contract for defender Tim Leibold, the club has continued to strengthen its squad and build momentum building into the race for the playoffs with a result from the last seven of eight matches.
As Head Coach Neill Collins noted, the team is hitting its stride at the right time. “The season’s winding up, we’re just getting started and we’re in a good place. In the last 10 games, I don’t think there have been any league performances where we’ve let ourselves down. I think the performances have been really high, and if we can keep that performance level up over the next 10, we’re going to finish the season successfully.”
Know Your Opponent – Monterey Bay FC
Unlike much of the Western Conference, Monterey Bay finds itself on the outside looking in. They are currently in 12th place in the table, 13 points below the playoff line. But with how competitive the USL is, no one and no team can be overlooked.
On the road last weekend, the Crisp and Kelp were dealt a 3-1 loss courtesy of Rhode Island FC. The hosts struck first, but Monterey Bay quickly answered when Omari Glasgow beat four defenders on the right to put a cross to Ilijah Paul. With his back to goal, Paul laid a pass off to Sebastian Lletget to bring the match level. Unfortunately, the deadlock wouldn’t hold as RIFC scored a pair of goals in the second half.
Despite its record, and a current eight-game winless streak, Monterey Bay’s roster features plenty of experience and attacking power across the top leagues in North America. In addition to Lletget – an MLS veteran with 30+ caps for the USMNT – MB recently acquired Fidel Barajas on loan from Chivas. The 20-year-old winger, a product of Republic FC’s academy, has been recognized as one of the country’s top young players, even earning the USL Championship’s Young Player of the Year honor in 2023.
Head-to-Head
In league play, Republic FC and Monterey Bay FC have faced off 10 times since 2022. The series tilts in Sacramento’s favor with a record of 5-3-2, but these matches have historically been tight, with all but one decided by one goal or less.
Saturday marks the third head-to-head of the year. The first played to a 1-1 draw at Heart Health Park in March, before heading to a thrilling penalty shootout in the USL Cup group stage in June.
