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Tuesday was a night to remember for Republic FC, as the club took down MLS side LA Galaxy in a win-or-go-home quarterfinal match in the U.S. Open Cup. Behind raucous fan support on the road, Sacramento held the storied SoCal side in check and kept their composure as well as any team in any competition.

Set the Tone

Coming into the match, it was clear each side had a script for how they thought things would go. Sacramento stuck to their guns, relying on the club’s brick wall of a defense and prowess on the wings, while LA put its efforts into dismantling the visitors’ structure in the middle. Quickly, Sacramento’s approach emerged supreme. The club’s 4^th minute score – Rodrigo Lopez’s fourth time finding net, leaving him tied for the tournament lead – came as a result of great vision on the right from Jack Gurr to push out and create an outlet for Dan Casey driving out of the back, and a poetic touch on the ball from Keko to Douglas Martinez created a sudden numbers advantage for the Quails. As Lopez’s attempt rocketed past Jonathan Klinsmann, the home crowd expecting an easy win over a lower-division foe got a hit of reality that Sacramento was going to make this a game.

Hold Down the Fort

While Republic FC’s defense was stellar, the club’s approach to the match had them absorbing a lot of pressure. Both LA’s collective attack in the first half and constant service into the box in the second gave Dan Casey, Conor Donovan, and Lee Desmond plenty to contend with as the contest wore on.

Knowing that one mistake could change the game, not one Sacramento player lost their focus, hunkering down to keep LA out of open space and sending away nearly every ball they served in. A trio of great plays by Danny Vitiello sent away threats in from the wings as time ticked down and heart rates rose in stoppage time, with the game almost exclusively in Sacramento’s defensive half.

Road Support

Despite a 400-mile journey and the challenge of fighting a loud, rowdy home supporters section, Republic FC fans stepped up in a big way in Carson. Fans, families, and members of Tower Bridge Battalion swarmed Section 103 at Dignity Health Sports Park and made their presence known, giving an extra jolt to Sacramento as they battled a hostile environment and fought to maintain control of the game. After the match, the squad joined the contingent of travelers celebrating in the stands chanting for their club.

Worth the road trip, SacRep fans? 🤯@SacRepublicFC | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/V1CRFMISpf

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 22, 2022

“The fans [Tuesday] were electric. From the first minute to the 95^th minute, they never stopped signing they never stopped helping us,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs following the match. “…those fans pulled us through the last few minutes and I can’t speak highly enough of what they brought and the environment they created.”

With eyes on another cupset, Republic FC takes to Carson, CA for the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal against LA Galaxy. Confidence is high as Sacramento looks to continue their run of excellent form, and take advantage of another opportunity to make club history.

The club’s readied for the match just as they would any other game. Yes, it’s one against possibly the most storied club in Major League Soccer boasting a bevy of national-teamers and a few designated players. But at its core, it’s a game, one Republic FC knows they can be competitive in if they expect to be.

“We’ve got to go there with belief. You’ve got to have courage. Because if you go there and you fade, you don’t trust yourself and you don’t believe in yourself, it’ll become a hard night,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs on Monday.

“I think we’re all looking forward to it,” said Matt LaGrassa. “The boys are ready, we’re in a good headspace, and we’re ready to go down there and leave everything we have out there.”

There’s a degree to which Tuesday’s task may be a bit daunting, for good reason. To combat that, the club’s taking their mindset very seriously so they can stay focused, play their game, and perform as they have been even on a stage the club’s never seen before.

“It’s 11 men against 11 men, on a grass field,” Briggs continued. We’ve got to prepare like any other game.”

“It doesn’t matter who we play,” said Rodrigo Lopez. “Advancing to the semifinals in a tournament like the open cup is special. We’re ready, no matter who it is.”

On Sacramento’s side is their momentum from Saturday, which saw the club log another clean sheet win even with a few changes to the lineup. The win showcased their depth, which will likely have a bearing on the result from Dignity Health Sports Park. Their ability to get results with anyone on the pitch makes them as confident as any other team.

“Every season has ups and downs, and waves of momentum,” LaGrassa continued. “We’re riding a good one right now. That’s right where we want to be going into a huge matchup.”

The Indomitable Club tallied their third consecutive win on Saturday evening, taking down LA Galaxy II in the two clubs’ 26^th all-time contest. After a slow start, the club found their form as the second half progressed – leading to a 63^rd minute penalty, Rafa Jauregui’s first career goal, and yet another shutout performance on defense.

Home Grown Contribution

Just as Keko stepped up to the line to enter for the youngster, midfielder Rafa Jauregui put his stamp on the game and delivered a special moment. The 17-year-old intercepted a clearance from LA’s backline, carried forward with incredible poise, and drilled a shot into the lower left corner for his first career score before running to the sideline to celebrate with his family – a cherished moment for the kid who signed his first pro contract at the tender age of 16.

Jauregui’s goal made him the youngest goal-scorer in club history, a mark last held by the midfielder’s former academy teammate Julian Chavez, who netted his first career goal at 18 in 2020. It also continues what’s been a remarkable run for him of late; after an electric showing off the bench to close April, he earned his first career home start, led the club on the offensive end in a regional derby match at Oakland Roots, and been selected to the matchday 18 in all but one contest.

Impact off the Bench

The first 60 minutes of the contest were a grind for the club. Sacramento tallied just a pair of opportunities, both from Maalique Foster, and the midfield struggled to connect with the front line.

The tides turned immediately after Luis Felipe and Zeiko Lewis entered at the hour mark. Just three minutes after coming on for Maalique Foster, Lewis received a pass from the back, made an incredible turn around a defender and sent a ball through to Luther Archimede, who drew and converted on a penalty to open the scoring. Luis Felipe was excellent one-on-one, stabilizing the Sacramento defense by winning 5 of 7 duels – tied for the match high.

Clean Sheets Continue

For the third straight match, Sacramento failed to concede a score, continuing the defensive excellence that’s dominated talk of the club since the start of June. Only one other club in the league has yet to concede in that same timeframe – Birmingham Legion FC – and they’ve done so in one fewer contest. The club’s streak of three consecutive shutouts is also their second of that length this year, after logging shutouts on May 4, May 8, and May 11.

The victory also showed off the club’s depth. Sacramento stayed strong even as Mark Briggs made a few changes, most notably inserting Ferrety Sousa for Jack Gurr and Duke Lacroix in place of Damia Viader. A change at goalkeeper didn’t faze the club either, as Carlos Saldana was called upon for the first time since May 8 and logged his third shutout in as many appearances dating to April 7.

Sacramento, Calif – Republic FC will debut a new alternate kit for the 2022 season on Saturday night. The City of Trees kit pays homage to an icon that welcomed visitors to the Capital City, as well as the urban forest that is an element of the character of the region. The kit is the fifth alternate jersey in club history, with each connecting back to the legend and lore of the city and team. With an estimated 7 million trees throughout the region, Sacramento’s urban forest is one of the largest in the world. The tree canopy of the region has shaped our civic identity throughout the history of Sacramento.

With the launch of the City of Trees Kit, Republic FC and Save Our Water are partnering to emphasize the importance of saving water– especially as the state is experiencing a severe drought, and encourage soccer fans and beyond to do their part.  A core element of the partnership will include highlighting helpful ways the community can care for trees and support the region’s urban forest during the drought. Beginning with Saturday’s match and the six additional matches Republic FC will wear the City of Trees kit, the two organizations are working to create public service announcements, informational campaigns, and more to help encourage water conservation efforts.

Inspired by the welcoming green City of Trees slogan that adorned the Freeport Water Tower next to Interstate 5, the kit design features green wood-grain pattern across a black background symbolic of the shade from Sacramento’s dense tree canopy and urban forest. The wood grain pattern ebbing and flowing is emblematic of how a tree’s trunk adapts over time, growing year-over-year and through adversity, becoming stronger – much like the indomitable spirit of the region. 

The City of Trees links the city’s slogan with the colors of Republic FC’s crest. Above the player’s name, the City of Trees is marked by Sacramento’s coordinates on a map 38.5816 N / 121.4944 W. The Nike VaporKnit kit in bold black reflects the “Welcome to Sacramento” from the water tower and a textured fabric reaching from the shoulders to the waist is emblematic of the cover of Sacramento’s tree canopy.

A limited-edition apparel capsule complements the kit launch with items that utilize elements from the kit’s design and reflect the slogan. A vintage t-shirt and classic corduroy hat flashback to the era when “City of Trees” welcomed visitors along I-5. To complete the capsule, the club has also created a scarf, flag, and wood-grain bottle opener. All of the items are available at Shop.SacRepublicFC.com.

 

Throughout the season, Republic FC will highlight the Sacramento Tree Foundation to share how the community can create an urban forest canopy that benefits every neighborhood.  The Sacramento Tree Foundation will be present at each match the jersey is worn to share how residents can be part of stewarding the urban forest from seed to slab by signing up for free shade trees in partnership with SMUD, learning how to water and care for trees, or repurposing salvaged urban wood for DIYprojects. At the end of the season, SRFC and Sacramento Tree Foundation will team up in South Sacramento to plant native trees at a refurbished futsal court to promote canopy equity.

On Saturday night, the club will wear the City of Trees kit for the first of 7 matches this season. The Indomitable Club will face off against LA Galaxy II at Heart Health Park at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets. The match will be broadcast on FOX40 and Antenna TV 40.2 in English and Spanish – as well as online at FOX40.com, the FOX40 News mobile app and streaming on ESPN+.

Republic FC hits the road this week, in search of another big win. On the heels of their 10^th straight contest at home without a defeat; the Motor City and USL newcomer Detroit City FC awaits the club for its second inter-conference clash of the season. It won’t be an easy contest, as Detroit has proven to be one of the league’s best on their home turf this season. But if Sacramento’s proven anything of late, it’s that they can beat teams of any caliber.

“Obviously when you come off a result we did last week it gives momentum, it gives confidence,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs on Wednesday. “So the boys are in a good frame of mind.”

The club knows they are in for a challenge – just like they’ve made Heart Health Park a tough place for visiting opponents to play, Detroit City has been equally as good at Keyworth Stadium. At home this year, the club has gone unbeaten in league play, added a victory over a strong Columbus Crew side in an MLS-USL matchup in U.S. Open Cup, and been one of the toughest teams to keep out of the net in the whole league.

“They’re very good on their home field,” Briggs continued. “They’ve made it a fortress for themselves this year. So we’ve got to go in there and get a result and come back with something from the game.”

“The club has a lot of good players. Obviously, their strikers are very good,” said Dan Casey. “We just need to be the same we have been every game. We respect every team we play against, especially this team, so we need to follow our game plan and go from there.”

A few things are on the mind of both players and coaches as the club makes its way to the Motor City. Firstly, staying consistent and keeping intact what’s made for a few memorable nights recently will be key. But perhaps more important are doing things that won’t be a walk in the park against a team like Detroit. If they can start fast, and keep their composure, Sacramento puts themselves in a great position to grab just their second win on the road this season. And it could help set them on a great path forward into their next big week of games.

“We’ll need to be mentally strong, [and] mentally prepared,” said Rodrigo Lopez. “We know what we’re dealing with, and we know that we need a win on the road. I think once this team, once we get to where we’re winning constantly on the road we’re going to be really hard to beat.”

Republic FC took three points away from possibly its biggest league match of the season so far on Saturday. Good work on the wings gave Sacramento all they would need up front, and the backline put in another remarkable showing to shut down the USL Championship’s top side this season.

The Big Three

Sacramento’s backline was as good as ever against the Texas club, whose big, physical attackers normally generate opportunity with ease. Lee Desmond, Dan Casey, and Conor Donovan held San Antonio to just a single shot on target for the entire match – their lowest total of the season – while blocking four other attempts that would have resulted in excellent chances for the visitors. The result left Danny Vitiello with just one save to make, and was Sacramento’s fifth clean sheet of the season across all competitions.

Excellent Wing Play

While Casey, Desmond, and Donovan’s performances took most of the attention in the victory, play on the wings is what allowed Republic FC to put San Antonio on their heels. The eventual game-winner Saturday came as the result of a perfectly placed cross from Keko, and service from Rodrigo Lopez and Jack Gurr provided more opportunity and almost led to the club extending its lead.

For the match, six players combined to send in service 23 times – resulting in six chances and the continuance of an emerging trend. Since May 11 four of Sacramento’s six scores have come via service from the outside, either from corner kicks or the run of play, with Luis Felipe and Douglas Martinez responsible for the goal each time.

Do it for Randy

In memoriam of Republic FC’s Senior Director of Pitch and the Sacramento sports community’s biggest ambassador, Randy Brink, all of Sacramento’s players wore a special white armband during the match donning his initials. In their first contest since his passing last week, Sacramento’s performance was dedicated to him and his family in post-match interviews:

“[Randy] was immense to not only our club, like you said, but to Sacramento. Everybody knows who Randy is. And it was a sad day when everybody found out the news and the armbands the players wore is because Randy meant so much to this club and the people of this club. So he’s going to be someone that we sincerely miss and we wish his family well.”

Republic FC faces one of its biggest challenges of the year this week, welcoming a San Antonio FC squad to Heart Health Park that’s first in total wins and tied for the league lead in points. After two regional derby games to close out May, Saturday’s matchup provides the club a chance to prove they can rise to the occasion no matter where their opponent comes from.

San Antonio has been defeated by only one club in league play this season – Phoenix Rising FC – and against every opponent they’ve been clinical, efficient, and performed at a high level collectively. What they bring to the pitch every single night has, and will, create for another gritty contest where they challenge their opponents at every turn.

“It’s going to be a battle,” said Conor Donovan on Thursday. “San Antonio’s [at] the top of the table for a reason.”

“We’re not going to take them lightly,” said Matt LaGrassa. “…We have some ways that we think we can exploit them but at the end of the day, we feel like it’s going to come down to millimeters on the weekend and we have to be at our best to win.”

To take all three points this week, the club knows a full 90 minute performance will be needed. The second half in Oakland last Saturday left some to be desired, leaving behind a chance for a win. If the club can piece together a complete 90-minute effort they know they can beat anyone, so this week, consistency and keeping the little things tight have been a big focus at training – and they like where they are positioned going in.

“The atmosphere is good, the environment is good. Everyone’s in a good frame of mind,” said Mark Briggs. “We go into Saturday against the number one team at home in front of our fans, which is where we like to be.”

Playing another big game won’t faze the indomitable club either. They’ve proven at every turn this season that they’re more than capable of rising to the occasion, battling hard with good teams, and delivering when the moment demands it.

“We like to be up for big games, and I think we’ll be up for this one,” LaGrassa continued.

Playing their second regional derby match in four days on Saturday, Republic FC split points with Oakland Roots SC in the two clubs’ first of three meetings this season. While the result was not what the club wanted after a strong first half, it still bumped Sacramento over the playoff line ahead of an important stretch of league contests in June.

Luis Felipe at it Again

For the third time in four matches, including U.S. Open Cup play, it was Luis Felipe who got the Indomitable club on the board first. Behind him, Sacramento’s midfield unit had a strong first half, creating four opportunities from close range and serving in 12 crosses. The midfielder completed the night with nine final third entries, good for second on the club, and was one of five Sacramento starters to complete over 80% of his passing attempts. For his efforts, he was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 12.

Young Rafa Shows Strong

Making his second start of the season, youngster Rafa Jauregui was excellent against the Bay Area side; In fact, his play led Sacramento’s attack on a number of occasions. Just two days removed from his high school graduation, Jauregui led his club with four shots and took full advantage of the space provided by defenders focused on Luther Archimede. He came inches away from his first career score on more than one occasion, nearly punching through a Jack Gurr corner kick in the 16^th minute and taking a great look at an open net in the 48^th, but both attempts were blocked.

Tale of Two Halves

Sacramento showed the same intensity and strong discipline in the first half as they did last week against San Jose Earthquakes, allowing them to overcome a lopsided 55%-45% possession difference and outshoot Oakland 10-4. However, the match was a tale of two halves. In the second, Sacramento struggled to connect passes and the possession advantage for Oakland grew, providing more chances for the hosts. A pair of close range set pieces, and a critical conceded penalty allowed the hosts to push the envelope and eventually equalize with ten minutes to go. Against a strong San Antonio squad this upcoming week – one that’s first in the Western Conference table and tied for the most points in all of USL– Sacramento will need to piece together a full 90-minute effort to take all three points.

After Saturday’s thrilling Open Cup victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, Head Coach Mark Briggs was asked where the party would be as the club celebrated victory in possibly its biggest match. 

“I wish we could party tonight,” he said. “But we’ve got a game Saturday in Oakland. So we’ll celebrate it then.”

Briggs response perfectly mirrors the club’s mindset heading into their next contest against Oakland Roots SC – even after the mania of a cupset, it’s imperative that they retain their focus as they look to regain form in league play, where they’ve won just once since defeating Monterey Bay F.C. on April 2. Saturday’s match won’t be easy – Sacramento and Oakland played each other tough in four fixtures last season splitting points three times, and this year, each squad is a whole lot stronger. 

“We’ve got a lot of respect for Oakland,” Briggs said at training. “They’re a good team and do a number of things extremely well. They’ve got the top goalscorer in the league, so we’ve got to be on our toes, hard to beat, and understand what we’re up against.”

“Wednesday was a big night for everyone associated with the club,” said Lee Desmond. “But we’ve got to let it go now, focus on a local derby on Saturday and make sure we’re all in the best possible shape.”

Playing two matches as meaningful as those on Sacramento’s schedule this week hopefully will keep energy high – having two regional derbies in the same week isn’t something that comes up all that often for any team.  However, what often results is a more competitive atmosphere as both squads look to fulfill a responsibility to win, something that has made Republic FC better this season. 

“Every game is important, and we want to win every game,” Lacroix continued. “But to beat your neighbors is really special.”

Momentum from Wednesday’s match looks to be a big factor in the trip to the Bay Area, especially as Sacramento looks to regain their form on the road, where they’ve claimed just one win on the season. After beating an opponent of San Jose’s caliber on Wednesday, expectations are high, and the whole squad knows that to continue to get results it needs to stay that way. 

“We’ve got to use it [our momentum],” Desmond continued. The confidence is up and the belief is up. We need an away win.”

“Any time you win, you kind of ride high on confidence,” said Lacroix. “We’re energetic; we’re looking forward to what’s to come. The vibe in the locker room is really good and we’re looking forward to getting three points on the weekend.”

The Indomitable Club’s Round of 16 win on Wednesday did not disappoint. Behind an electric crowd at Heart Health Park, Republic FC delivered a convincing win over the San Jose Earthquakes to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals for the first time in club history. Stout defending, timely touches, and a SportsCenter-worthy dagger from Rodrigo Lopez sent 11,569 into a frenzy as Mark Briggs’ Men bested ,San Jose for the first time.

Another Clean Sheet

Sacramento started a bit slow – in the opening minutes, it’s possible that nerves were getting the best of them. But after Danny Vitiello made a pair of stellar saves at the tail end of the 17^th minute, it kicked the Indomitable Club into gear on all fronts. Sacramento’s backline returned to being impenetrable – sending away 12 corners on the night from San Jose and keeping them out of goal for their fifth clean sheet. Even as the visitors’ brought in some very dangerous reinforcements – Christian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Cade Cowell – they still couldn’t break through, failing to put a shot on frame for the entire second half.  

Transition Opportunities

From start of the match to the final whistle, persistence and pressure up top allowed Republic FC to overcome holding just 30% possession for the contest. Consistently, Sacramento’s ability to put pressure on San Jose in transition led to their biggest offensive chances. The club beat Quakes defenders off the line throughout the night, taking advantage of possibly their biggest edge over the visitors. The first half saw Sacramento nearly score on three other occasions – all from opportunities on the break created by a one-on-one mismatch from the physical Douglas Martinez and speedy Zeiko Lewis. 

Nail in the Coffin

As time ticked down, Sacramento knew parking the bus wouldn’t be an option. The club kept pushing to take advantage of some tired legs on San Jose’s backline, bringing in Luther Archimede and Keko late.