Overview: SAC @ NM
- Date: Sunday, November 15
- Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. PT
- Location: Isotopes Park
- Watch Party: Drakes: The Barn (West Sacramento)
- Watch at Home: ESPN+
How they Got Here: Republic FC
After a long regular season and an exciting first two rounds of postseason play, silverware is officially on the line as Republic FC heads out on the road for the Western Conference Final.
Last weekend, the Indomitable Club eliminated El Paso Locomotive by a score of 2-1. Mayele Malango set up Cal Jennings for the first goal of the night in the 14th minute, before El Paso equalized before the break. But Republic FC came out of halftime with renewed and palpable energy that set them up to dominate the second half. Mayele Malango played a crucial part in the second goal as well, firing off a strong, close range shot that was blocked, but eventually made its way to Michel Benitez for a one-touch volley that sent the sold-out crowd at Heart Health Park into an uproar.
After the go-ahead goal, Republic FC hunkered down and showcased its trademark defensive form to keep one the league’s most lethal offenses off the board.
“I think it’s the belief. The belief in all aspects of the game,” said Head Coach Neill Collins on his team’s playoff mentality. “Belief to come from behind. Belief to get the go-ahead goal. Belief to hang on to it. I think there’s a lot of belief, and when I’m on the sideline, I feel a lot of confidence in the players that they can see out these moments.”
Next up – a trip to the Western Conference Final. It’s the club’s second appearance in the conference championship, and first since 2023. “I’m really just really pleased to be at a club with ownership, the president, the staff, the fans that we all want the same things, and they also support me as a coach in trying to achieve these goals,” said Collins. “I think we’ve built a team that is good enough to go to a Western Conference and compete for a trophy. And I think we’re building a team that can do it in years to come as well.”
How They Got Here: New Mexico United
After opening postseason play with a 2-0 win over Phoenix, top-seeded New Mexico knocked out Colorado Springs Switchbacks with a 4-0 performance, the largest playoff win in club history. Charlie Dennis got the Black & Yellow on the board just 91 seconds into the match, and the team never looked back. Greg Hurst – now New Mexico’s all-time leading scorer – added a brace before halftime and in the 71st minute Joseph Quiah delivered one more goal.
New Mexico claimed the Western Conference’s #1 seed for the second time in the last three seasons. After hovering near the top of the table for the final months of the season, they secured the top seed in the final play of the regular season as Valentin Noel found the back of the net and put the Black & Yellow just one point ahead of Republic FC.
2026 Head-to-Head
Sacramento and New Mexico split the points this season, with each team earning a win on the road. After New Mexico claimed at 1-0 win at Heart Health Park in June 20 – Republic FC’s last home loss – the Indomitable Club evened the score with a thrilled 3-2 win at Isotopes Park on September 26. Memo Rodriguez led the way with two goals and an assist, while super sub Kyle Edwards scored the game winner and became the league’s all-time substitute scoring leader.
