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DONT MISS OUT: SRFC Social Media Daily Challenges

While the boys in Old Glory Red are preparing for their Western Conference Quarterfinal showdown this Saturday against Phoenix Rising FC in Arizona, supporters can start getting excited in the days leading up to the big match by winning some sleek Republic FC gifts and swag on social media by way of the #IndomitableClub Daily Challenge.

The Daily Challenge will be featured on each of SRFC’s social media channels and begins Wednesday, October 7 and a new challenge will be issued each day for three consecutive days.

Fans are encouraged to check the Republic FC Mobile App, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages early and often as the club will release each new challenge at 1:00 p.m. PT each afternoon. Fans will then have 24 hours to submit their photo/video with #IndomitableClub and select winners will be announced at the end of each day.

Prizes include Zocalo gift cards, branded soccer balls, authentic 2020 home kits, and if fans participate in all three days of the #IndomitableClub Daily Challenge then they’ll be eligible to compete for the grand prize and win a $100 Team Store Gift Card and a White Claw bike and cooler.

For more information on the #IndomitableClub Daily Challenge and additional upcoming playoff activations, check out Republic FC’s 2020 USL Championship Playoffs page on the club website.

The boys in Old Glory Red begin their postseason campaign this Saturday night in Arizona against Group B-winners Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff for the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. and the match will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed on ESPN+.

For more information on the #IndomitableClub Daily Challenge and additional upcoming playoff activations, check out Republic FC’s 2020 USL Championship Playoffs page on the club website.

Republic FC Kickstart Program Awards $10,500 in Grants to Local, Black-Owned Small Businesses

Sacramento, Calif. – After fans and members of the community cast over 5,000 ballots, narrowing the field from over 50 local, Black-owned small businesses, the five recipients of the Republic FC Kickstart Program have been announced. With the support of Suncrest Bank and the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, the program was launched in August to assist black-owned small businesses in the greater Sacramento Region facing economic challenges as a result of the pandemic and provide resources, educational services and an opportunity to receive a grant.

The five finalists as selected through public voting were reviewed by a panel of community leaders featuring Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Azizza Davis Goines and Savvy Consulting Founder Jovan Agee. After reviewing each organization, the grant winners are:

Grand Prize Grant: Sugar Coated Cupcakes, $5,000
Second Place Grant: Classy Hippie Tea Company, $2,500
Third Place Grants: Hundreds Unit, Playmakers Elite, Feed Sacramento Homeless, $1,000

“We are completely honored and thankful to have been a part of this amazing opportunity. To know there are companies that want to provide support and ensure your success is completely heartwarming,” said Sugar Coated Cupcakes owners LaQueanya & Mechiala Henry. “Thank you Sacramento Republic FC and Suncrest Bank for providing support to small businesses during such a crazy volatile time! Receiving support to continue to thrive means more than you know and could not have come at a better time. We are so thankful to our community…Family, Friends & Sugar Coated Cuties for your continued support. We are Sugar Coated Cupcakes because of you!”

“The Indomitable Spirit that drives our region to new heights comes directly from our neighbors, friends, and the businesses that support our community every day,” said Sacramento Republic FC President and COO Ben Gumpert. “With support from Suncrest Bank, leadership from the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, and the voice of our passionate fans, we’ve been able to bring awareness and capital to positively impact some of our city’s great small businesses working through the challenges of this pandemic.

“Suncrest Bank has, and continues to be very supportive of small businesses as they are the backbone of our economy and our local communities, said Suncrest Bank Market President Tim Aldredge. “We have been honored to partner with the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and Sacramento Republic FC to consider several impactful black-owned businesses and organizations in our community and to select some truly top-notch businesses as the winners of the Kickstart program. The Kickstart program has been exciting in that it has highlighted the great things that hard-working entrepreneurs are doing in our community despite the hardships of a pandemic. We wish the best to our winners and look forward to witnessing their success.”

"I was impressed by all the submissions, they provided a sneak peak into all the great work happening in our City,”said Republic FC Kickstart Judge and Savvy Consulting Founder Jovan Agee. “I believe that the winners of these grants will use this revenue to grow their businesses and aid in the economic growth of our region."

The crowdsourced program received nominations for over 50 businesses throughout the region representing a diverse selection of industry – health & fitness, technology, restaurants and culinary creators, fashion, art, education and much more. To help provide more resources for local businesses, Suncrest Bank made additional, free educational services and consulting resources available to every business nominated. In one week, fans and community members cast over 5,000 votes to select the five finalists that would receive grants.

For more information about Republic FC Kickstart, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/SuncrestBank.

“I was impressed by all the submissions, they provided a sneak peak into all the great work happening in our City,”said Republic FC Kickstart Judge and Savvy Consulting Founder Jovan Agee. “I believe that the winners of these grants will use this revenue to grow their businesses and aid in the economic growth of our region.”

For more information about Republic FC Kickstart, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/SuncrestBank.

Diaz, Formella Selected to Team of the Week

Republic FC goalkeeper Rafael Diaz and forward Dariusz Formella have been selected for the USL Championship Team of the Week starting eleven after a pair of tremendous performances that lead to their sides’ 4-0 win over Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday.

Diaz dazzled in net with an eight-save outing against T2 that preserved the Indomitable Club’s fifth shutout this season – the fourth clean sheet for Rafa over the course of the 2020 campaign. Not only did Diaz make a handful of diving stops, but none of his saves on the night were more impressive than his double-stop in the first half. After making a powerful stop that deflected back his way, from his knees the Sacramento shot stopper swatted the ball to safety after it appeared destined for the back of the net.

The TOTW selection for Formella is his third this season after earning the weekly honor for his multigoal games against Tacoma Defiance in both Week 4 and again in Week 8. Saturday’s two-goal game was his third brace this season – elevating his tally on the 2020 season up to eight which is tied for 10thbest in the entire USL Championship.

Formella set a new club record over the weekend as the Polish playmaker now has claim to the fastest brace scored in club history after finding the back of the net in just the 2nd minute and again in the 4th minute. His first was set up by Villyan Bijev who after putting pressure on the visiting goalkeeper attempting a clearance, the Bulgarian-born winger spotted Formella who with his first touch steered his low shot into goal to lift SRFC to a 1-0 lead. Formella doubled his sides’ advantage when Rodrigo Lopez spotted Formella on the left who rifled his right-footed curling effort on target that the T2 GK had little chance of stopping.

Diaz and Formella are the 11th and 12th Team of the Week selections for Republic FC players over the course of the 2020 campaign – elevating the season-long tally for selections to the starting eleven up to eight after Dekel Keinan was selected to the TOTW’s starting lineup for Week 14, Matt Mahoney earned the award in Week 10, Ashkanov Apollon was named to his first career selection for Week 8, Jordan McCrary earned a spot for his Week 9 performance and Formella earned his third this season. Four SRFC players have been named to the TOTW bench including Juan Barahona for Week 1, Hayden Sargis for Week 7, Cam Iwasa for Week 8 and Kharlton Belmar for Week 12.

Republic FC hit the road for a Western Conference Quarterfinal clash with Phoenix Rising FC this Saturday night in Arizona. The match will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed on ESPN+ with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

VOTE NOW: Bijev’s Curler Nominated for Goal of the Week

Villyan Bijev’s stellar strike in the 25th minute against Portland Timbers 2 on October 3 has been nominated by the league for the Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week for Week 15. Voting is now open and run through Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. PT at USL Championship.com.

After already proving an assist earlier in the match, Bijev bagged Sacramento’s fourth and final goal on the night with a stunning left-footed curling attempt that the former Liverpool FC playmaker nestled inside the top left corner of the net. The goal set up superbly after Rodrigo Lopez picked him out to his left and the Bulgarian-born winger weaved his way towards the top of the box and rifled an impeccably placed shot on target and in an unstoppable place for the goalkeeper to get a hand on it.

The strike was Bijev’s fourth this season and 13 during league play with the Indomitable Club – 16th goal with SRFC across all competitions. This is Bijev’s second Goal of the Week nomination this season after already having won the weekly honor for Week 12 after scoring the game-winning goal against Orange County SC on September 9 while playing with only 10-men.

Next up for Bijev and the boys in Old Glory Red is an opening round playoff match against Phoenix Rising FC in Arizona this Saturday. Kickoff for the Western Conference Quarterfinal match is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed on ESPN+.

Three Takeaways from #SACvPOR

The Indomitable Club collected all three points on Saturday night following the regular season finale against Portland Timbers 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park with a 4-0 win

Mark Briggs’ men racked up 30 points over the course of the 2020 USL Championship campaign and head into the Western Conference Quarterfinals next weekend against Phoenix Rising FC feeling confident after the resounding victory at home – the club’s fourth win over Timbers 2 this season.

Before the boys in Old Glory Red look ahead to their opening round opponent, it’s time to reflect on a handful of the positive takeaways from Saturday win over Portland.

The Indomitable Club collected all three points on Saturday night following the regular season finale against Portland Timbers 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park with a 4-0 win

Before the boys in Old Glory Red look ahead to their opening round opponent, it’s time to reflect on a handful of the positive takeaways from Saturday win over Portland.

Commanding Effort from Diaz and the Defensive Crew

Saturday night was the Indomitable Club’s fifth clean sheet on the season and for goalkeeper Rafael Diaz, he’s manned the net remarkably in four of those shutouts.

Diaz did it again this weekend with another top-class performance in goal, collecting eight saves on the night to hold Timbers 2 off the scoreboard. Rafa made a number of diving saves on the night but none of his eight stops were more impressive than in the 17th minute when his first sturdy save was deflected back towards goal and the quick-thinking ‘keeper reached back while on his knees and managed to swat the ball away to safety.

The back four in front of Diaz were equally as impossible to break on Saturday. Jordan McCrary lead the team with five tackles and two clearances in just 45 minutes on the pitch. Juan Barahona led Republic FC with 75 touches and 10 possessions gained for his side and the left back also contributed two scoring chances on the night. Center back Tomas Hilliard-Arce accounted for one clearance and one interception en route to blanking the visitors over the weekend.

Fantastic Formella Bags Fastest Brace in SRFC History

It took Dariusz Formella all of four minutes against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night to score the fastest brace in Republic FC history.

The previous record was held by Harry Wilson who scored two goals in the opening 15 minutes of a 4-0 win over FC Anahuac during Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play in 2017. During a league match, the previous record was 21 minutes shared by Keven Aleman against LA Galaxy II in 2018 and Cameron Iwasa against OKC Energy FC in 2019.

Formella’s first was set up by the tireless efforts of Villyan Bijev whose hustle and pressure on the visiting goalkeeper forced the T2 GK to lose possession which Bijev collected on the end line. The winger spotted the Polish playmaker entering the box and with Formella’s first touch he guided his effort low and by goalkeeper Jake Leeker to give SRFC an early lead.

Two minutes later, Kharlton Belmar whipped a ball from the wing into Rodrigo Lopez in the center of the pitch and RoRo was quick to keep the ball in motion and found Formella to his left. The game’s first goal scorer proceeded to curl his effort into net for his third brace this season and team-best eighth goal in 2020.

Bijev a Bother to Timbers 2 All Night

From the opening minutes of the match on Saturday night, Villyan Bijev was a nightmare for Timbers 2.

The former T2 player came back to haunt his former club with one goal and one assist – his goal has been nominated for the USL Championship Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week for Week 16.

From the opening minutes of the match on Saturday night, Villyan Bijev was a nightmare for Timbers 2.

The former T2 player came back to haunt his former club with one goal and one assist – his goal has been nominated for the USL Championship Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week for Week 16.

Sacramento’s opening score was all thanks to Bijev’s brilliance regarding putting pressure on the opponent when their defense or goalkeeper is trying to clear. With the ball at T2 goalkeeper Jake Leeker’s feet, Bijev sprints towards the visiting shot stopper and causes him to lose possession in a dangerous area. The former Liverpool FC playmaker was quick to get on the ball and pick out Formella who wasted no time putting his side in front.

Of Republic FC’s four goals during the game, none were more mesmerizing than Bijev’s curling strike in the 25thminute. After RoRo dished the ball off the Bijev, the Bulgarian-born winger weaved his way towards the center of the pitch before launching a scintillating effort that was destined for the top far corner of the goal.

His moment of magic will be remembered when looking back on the box score, but Bijev also contributed four tackles, one clearance, one interception, two blocked shots and three scoring chances created against T2.

In Their Own Words: We’ve Got to Play Like Our Lives Depend on it

The last game of the 2020 USL Championship regular season for the Indomitable Club sure was a good one.

Republic FC slammed four scores by the visiting Portland Timbers 2 goalkeeper in the opening 25 minutes to cruise to a 4-0 win on Saturday night at Papa Murphy’s Park. Dariusz Formella bagged a brace four minutes into the match and assisted his sides’ third goal – a perfectly placed header by Jaime Villarreal – before Villyan Bijev netted a stunning curler to lift his side to a 4-0 advantage.

Goalkeeper Rafael Diaz made eight saves on the night to preserve the shutout, Republic FC’s fifth this season and fourth with Rafa in net. It was an all-around complete performance from every one of Mark Briggs’ men to close out the regular season campaign and before the boys in Old Glory Red start to look ahead to its opening round playoff opponent – Phoenix Rising FC – it’s time to see what the squad had to say following the resounding win over the weekend.

The last game of the 2020 USL Championship regular season for the Indomitable Club sure was a good one.

Head Coach Mark Briggs

On the result against T2…
“It's pleasing, a four-nil result. I was happy with the intensity showed in the first half, especially the first 30 minutes where we moved the ball quickly. We scored four goals and we put the game to bed. The other pleasing thing was we didn't concede, didn't concede inside the first few minutes. We actually scored, and we didn't concede the whole game over 90 minutes so, it puts the guys in a confident mood. It puts everybody in a good frame of mine going into a massive game next weekend against Phoenix.”

On how pleasing Saturday night’s performance was…
“I think now it's been pleasing. I think the last few games we haven't conceded early goals and we changed a few things up and we spoke as a group and we decided to do things slightly different in those first few minutes and I think it's paying dividends for us. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing over the past few games. But to score in the first few minutes was nice. It was refreshing and it's pleasing because it's what this group is capable of and I'm thankful that it came. It's a good moment to hopefully give us good momentum and a good frame of mind going into Phoenix next week.”

On focusing on T2 and not looking ahead to the playoffs…
“You start to look at the bigger picture and for this group, I didn't want them to take the foot off the gas. I didn't want them to start to take it easy, so to speak. The mindset has to stay the same, and we have to keep the same intensity and the same speed of play with the ball and continue to break lines whenever the opportunity presents itself. So, I didn't want us to lose that momentum. I didn't want us to take our foot off the gas, because next week's going to be a game that's foot on the gas for 90 minutes, 95 minutes. We've got to play like our lives depend on it, because they do.”

On Rafael Diaz’s fantastic form this season…
“Rafa as you said has been fantastic. I think he's been one of our most consistent performers, which is credit to him. And as a goalkeeper you have to stay focused, you have to stay engaged, and Rafa does that and he's made big saves in big moments. So, for us going into a playoff game, knowing that we have a keeper of Rafa's caliber behind us who's going to turn up and make big saves when we need him to make big saves, it only gives everyone confidence as we move forward.”

On the result against T2…
“It’s pleasing, a four-nil result. I was happy with the intensity showed in the first half, especially the first 30 minutes where we moved the ball quickly. We scored four goals and we put the game to bed. The other pleasing thing was we didn’t concede, didn’t concede inside the first few minutes. We actually scored, and we didn’t concede the whole game over 90 minutes so, it puts the guys in a confident mood. It puts everybody in a good frame of mine going into a massive game next weekend against Phoenix.”

On how pleasing Saturday night’s performance was…
“I think now it’s been pleasing. I think the last few games we haven’t conceded early goals and we changed a few things up and we spoke as a group and we decided to do things slightly different in those first few minutes and I think it’s paying dividends for us. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing over the past few games. But to score in the first few minutes was nice. It was refreshing and it’s pleasing because it’s what this group is capable of and I’m thankful that it came. It’s a good moment to hopefully give us good momentum and a good frame of mind going into Phoenix next week.”

On focusing on T2 and not looking ahead to the playoffs…
“You start to look at the bigger picture and for this group, I didn’t want them to take the foot off the gas. I didn’t want them to start to take it easy, so to speak. The mindset has to stay the same, and we have to keep the same intensity and the same speed of play with the ball and continue to break lines whenever the opportunity presents itself. So, I didn’t want us to lose that momentum. I didn’t want us to take our foot off the gas, because next week’s going to be a game that’s foot on the gas for 90 minutes, 95 minutes. We’ve got to play like our lives depend on it, because they do.”

On Rafael Diaz’s fantastic form this season…
“Rafa as you said has been fantastic. I think he’s been one of our most consistent performers, which is credit to him. And as a goalkeeper you have to stay focused, you have to stay engaged, and Rafa does that and he’s made big saves in big moments. So, for us going into a playoff game, knowing that we have a keeper of Rafa’s caliber behind us who’s going to turn up and make big saves when we need him to make big saves, it only gives everyone confidence as we move forward.”

Dariusz Formella

On the team’s performance against T2…
“I think the first seven or ten minutes was great. We scored three goals and these three goals made this this game easier for us. In the second half, we knew that we have a good result, it was four nil, and we didn't play our best football but the most important thing was to keep a clean sheet and we did it so we are happy.”

On how pleasing it was for the team to score four goals…
“It’s always good to score four goals. We didn't score [four] this season and it's good that happened in the last game because we’re going into the most important games right now. So, we are happy that these four goals came today and not three or four weeks ago because the most important games are coming. So, we are happy in that we scored four today.”

On the team’s performance against T2…
“I think the first seven or ten minutes was great. We scored three goals and these three goals made this this game easier for us. In the second half, we knew that we have a good result, it was four nil, and we didn’t play our best football but the most important thing was to keep a clean sheet and we did it so we are happy.”

On how pleasing it was for the team to score four goals…
“It’s always good to score four goals. We didn’t score [four] this season and it’s good that happened in the last game because we’re going into the most important games right now. So, we are happy that these four goals came today and not three or four weeks ago because the most important games are coming. So, we are happy in that we scored four today.”

Rodrigo Lopez

On his overall impression of the match…
“I think the team came out how we should come out every game. We made a commitment before the game to go out and just leave it all out on the field and to put them under pressure the first few minutes. I think we're a really fit team, we have the players to do so, and it showed. We definitely needed to go up in the game, early and then from there, try to control the game.”

On his attacking role against T2…
“One thing about Mark [Briggs], about our coaching staff, is that they give us freedom, especially in the attack. I'm playing somewhat a different role in that I haven't played it in a long time, playing higher up the field, and it's different for me but it's something that I need to do for my team. If that's where a coach wants me to play, that's where I play. All the attacking players, we have that freedom to switch up the roles and as long as we're defensively in good shapes, we should be fine.”

On his overall impression of the match…
“I think the team came out how we should come out every game. We made a commitment before the game to go out and just leave it all out on the field and to put them under pressure the first few minutes. I think we’re a really fit team, we have the players to do so, and it showed. We definitely needed to go up in the game, early and then from there, try to control the game.”

On his attacking role against T2…
“One thing about Mark [Briggs], about our coaching staff, is that they give us freedom, especially in the attack. I’m playing somewhat a different role in that I haven’t played it in a long time, playing higher up the field, and it’s different for me but it’s something that I need to do for my team. If that’s where a coach wants me to play, that’s where I play. All the attacking players, we have that freedom to switch up the roles and as long as we’re defensively in good shapes, we should be fine.”

Rafael Diaz

On Republic FC’s overall performance…
“That was a good performance from the guys who came up pretty strong. It was great to get those three goals early in the first 10 minutes, it gave us a lot of confidence and the [offense] gave us a lot of confidence. We were talking about coming out strong and we were able to do that. We also talked about getting a clean sheet and we were able to do that so we're really happy with that performance going into the playoffs, to give us a lot of confidence going down in Phoenix and hopefully we can replicate that performance down there.”

On three early goals from the Republic FC offense…
“It's a great confidence boost, but it also makes me lock in a little bit more [to the match] because I'm like, ‘Listen, now it's my turn, it's my turn to make sure the guys in front of me are organized’ and now, defensively, it's our job to kind of lock things down so we can secure the win and tonight we're able to do that. So, credit to those guys, they've really put in the work in training but we’ve been doing a lot of finishing and a lot of pattern play and it's great that these guys now can get the recognition and a few goals going into the playoffs and hopefully they have a lot of confidence. When that happens, the defense just turns on and we need to turn on a little bit more because they did their job now it's our time to do ours.”

On Republic FC’s overall performance…
“That was a good performance from the guys who came up pretty strong. It was great to get those three goals early in the first 10 minutes, it gave us a lot of confidence and the [offense] gave us a lot of confidence. We were talking about coming out strong and we were able to do that. We also talked about getting a clean sheet and we were able to do that so we’re really happy with that performance going into the playoffs, to give us a lot of confidence going down in Phoenix and hopefully we can replicate that performance down there.”

On three early goals from the Republic FC offense…
“It’s a great confidence boost, but it also makes me lock in a little bit more [to the match] because I’m like, ‘Listen, now it’s my turn, it’s my turn to make sure the guys in front of me are organized’ and now, defensively, it’s our job to kind of lock things down so we can secure the win and tonight we’re able to do that. So, credit to those guys, they’ve really put in the work in training but we’ve been doing a lot of finishing and a lot of pattern play and it’s great that these guys now can get the recognition and a few goals going into the playoffs and hopefully they have a lot of confidence. When that happens, the defense just turns on and we need to turn on a little bit more because they did their job now it’s our time to do ours.”

RECAP: Sacramento Republic FC 4-0 Portland Timbers 2

SACRAMENTO, California (October 3, 2020) – Republic FC finished the regular season on a high note with a 4-0 win over Portland Timbers 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park on Saturday night.

The victory for Mark Briggs’ men elevated SRFC’s total points tally on the campaign up to 30 before the boys in Old Glory Red begin their playoff journey next weekend for a seventh consecutive trip to the postseason.

Saturday night’s win was the fourth time during the 2020 season that Republic FC claimed all three points over T2 and the shutout was the fifth time this season Sacramento blanked its opponent – the first clean sheet for Republic FC since August 12.

The Indomitable Club’s first on the night came in just the second minute of the match when Dariusz Formella scored his first of two goals against Portland. Villyan Bijev put pressure on the visiting goalkeeper and after an inability to clear, Bijev with the ball close to the end line picked out Formella entering the box and with his first touch the Polish playmaker steered his shot low and by Leeker to lift his side to a 1-0 lead.

It took all of two minutes later for Formella to bag his brace when Kharlton Belmar with possession on the right flank found Rodrigo Lopez in the center of the pitch and delivered a perfect pass to RoRo who wasted no time moving the ball to Formella. With an eye for goal already, Formella curled his effort into net to double the hosts lead and elevated his goalscoring tally on the year up to a team-high eight goals.

In the ninth minute, Republic FC made it 3-0 when after some nifty team passing to set up Formella on the left flank, the attacker with two goals to his name already whipped in a cross that met Jaime Villarreal on the top of the goalkeeper’s box. Villarreal nodded his attempt towards the back post and his headed effort dipped just inside the woodwork to net his second goal this season.

But perhaps the best of the bunch was the squad’s fourth and final goal of the game when Bijev provided a moment of magic with a stunning left-footed curling effort that the Bulgarian-born winger tucked inside the top far corner for a 4-0 first half advantage. Bijev’s goal – the fourth goal of the year for him – was a beauty he created by cutting inside from the right wing after RoRo spotted him and as Bijev barreled towards the middle of the field the former Liverpool FC playmaker fired his scintillating effort on target and into net.

Despite four goals in the first half, Republic FC couldn’t might manage to muster up a fifth, but goalkeeper Rafael Diaz was called into action a number of times on the night to preserve the shutout. The clean sheet was Rafa’s fourth in net this season after the Sacramento shot stopper made eight saves against T2 on Saturday.

Next up for the boys in Old Glory Red is an opening round playoff trip to Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, October 10. Kickoff for the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

Sacramento Republic FC 4-0 Portland Timbers 2
USL Championship
Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacramento, CA
October 3, 2020

Scoring Summary: SAC – Dariusz Formella (Villyan Bijev) 2’, Formella (Rodrigo Lopez) 4’, Jaime Villarreal (Formella) 9’, Villyan Bijev (Rodrigo Lopez) 25’

Misconduct Summary: SAC – Kharlton Belmar (caution) 16’, Jordan McCrary (caution) 22’, Jaime Villarreal (caution) 42’, Dekel Keinan (caution) 67’, Juan Barahona (caution) 85’, Frank Lopez (caution) 90’; POR – Harold Hanson (caution) 45’, Ken Krolicki (caution) 45’.

Sacramento Republic FC – Rafael Diaz; Juan Barahona, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Dekel Keinan (Hayden Sargis 69’), Jordan McCrary (Shannon Gomez 45’), Rodrigo Lopez ©, Jaime Villarreal (Cameron Iwasa 45’), Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (Rafael Jauregio 69’), Villyan Bijev, Dariusz Formella, Kharlton Belmar (Frank Lopez 45’).

Unused substitutes: Brady Scott, Julian Chavez.

Stats– Shots: 10, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 8, Fouls: 21, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 5.

Portland Timbers 2–Jake Leeker;Williams Velasquez, Harold Hanson, Mamadou Danso © (Max Ornstil 45’), Aedan Stanley, Aaron Molloy, Jose Anguiano, Marcus Epps, Ken Krolicki (Cullen Wilkerson 84’), Jorge Gonzalez, Tega Ikoba (Dyson Clapier 64’).

Unused substitutes: Hunter Sulte, Caleb Kiner, Salvador Villegas, Giovanni Calixtro.

Stats– Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 0.

Scoring Summary: SAC – Dariusz Formella (Villyan Bijev) 2’, Formella (Rodrigo Lopez) 4’, Jaime Villarreal (Formella) 9’, Villyan Bijev (Rodrigo Lopez) 25’

Unused substitutes: Brady Scott, Julian Chavez.

Stats– Shots: 10, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 8, Fouls: 21, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 5.

Unused substitutes: Hunter Sulte, Caleb Kiner, Salvador Villegas, Giovanni Calixtro.

Stats– Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 0.

In Their Own Words: We’ve Got to Show Up and Do What We Need to Do

Republic FC were handed just its second loss all season on Wednesday – a 1-0 result in Tacoma against Defiance – but Mark Briggs’ men are fully focused on bouncing back before their upcoming playoff push next week.

Before embarking on the Indomitable Club’s seventh consecutive trip to the postseason, the squad hosts Portland Timbers 2 this Saturday night in the regular season finale for both sides. Even though T2 will not be participating in the playoffs next week, the Pacific Northwest club has hit some solid form and has been victorious in three of its last five games.

Prior to Saturday’s match at Papa Murphy’s Park, it’s time to take a look and see what the boss and his defender Jordan McCrary had to say about this weekend’s opponent.

Head Coach Mark Briggs

On Saturday’s match…
“I’m looking forward to a good performance, a complete performance, a professional performance – one that puts us in a good frame of mind leading into a huge week next week with the playoffs at the end of the week.”

On Timbers 2…
“They’re a good side. They’re going to cause us problems, they have some good individual talents. They’re a younger group that’s hit a little bit of form in the last few games, got a few good results, so we’ve got to show up and we’ve got to do what we need to.”

On momentum heading into the postseason…
“It’s very important. There’s no better thing in football than winning. That’s what we all love the sport for, that’s why we love sports in general. We want to win and we’re no different this week. We want to win and put ourselves in a good frame of mind.”

On next week’s playoff game…
“Ultimately, Phoenix has become the goal for us now. But we still have to finish the regular season and we need to finish the regular season on a positive note. This is a big week. And when I say a big week, our week is tomorrow and next Saturday. That’s all in one week and it’s important that every single day within that week is utilized and we get the maximum out of what we’re trying to get out of each day.”

Jordan McCrary

On this weekend’s matchup…
“Just another day to come out and play our game. No matter who it really is, we have to come out and play our game, we have to come out and compete and we have to win.”

On Timbers 2…
“So far we’ve done pretty well against them. We just need to make sure we play our game and put in a 90-minute performance.”

On not having fans in attendance for the regular season finale…
“We always wish we could have TBB and some fans here but right now we just need to stay locked in and do what we have to do and win for them.”

On what the playoff-bound boys in Old Glory Red can improve on…
“There’s always something we can clean up. We just need to keep the ball moving with pace, shifting from side to side and when we have an opportunity, we need to take it.”

On Timbers 2…
“So far we’ve done pretty well against them. We just need to make sure we play our game and put in a 90-minute performance.”

Republic FC Open 2020 USL Championship Playoffs at Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, October 10, Republic FC will meet Phoenix Rising FC in the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs Conference Quarterfinals at Casino Arizona Field, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed on ESPN+.

Republic FC clinched a playoff berth with four matches remaining in the regular-season schedule and can finish the season with a maximum of 30 points possible. With a win, Republic FC can clinch the top seed out of all second-place finishers in the Western Conference.

The club has not missed the USL postseason in seven campaigns, dating back its inaugural season and first league championship in 2014.

Beginning next week, Republic FC’s Countdown to the Playoffs presented by Gig Car Share will include daily online challenges with prize packs, free Playoff Fan Packs with SRFC swag, a National Coaches Day forum with Head Coach Mark Briggs and Academy Director Dennis Sanchez, community events including the groundbreaking for a new community futsal court, and the announcement of the club’s Kickstart grant program recipients. On Friday, October 9, the club is calling on all fans and friends to show their connection to the club and wear Old Glory Red, flashing back to nearly a year ago when the city celebrated being named an MLS expansion club.

Republic FC will end the regular season this Saturday, October 3 against Portland Timbers 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed on ESPN+.

For more information, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/playoffs.

Join us on October 6: National Coaches Day Live Panel w/ Coach Briggs & Academy Director Dennis Sanchez

Around the world, athletes of every age, background and sport train to compete at their highest levels, searching for wins in local parks, all the way up to the biggest stages. With the help of coaches dedicated to growth and success, athletes have access to valuable insights, support that goes beyond the sidelines, and the voice of a mentor who can help learn lessons that are more than just the rules of the game.

On October 6, Republic FC will celebrate National Coaches Day with our friends from the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit that believes a positive, inclusive sports culture develops social and emotional skills, molds character, and prepares them for competition and life, and Coaching Corps, an organization that seeks to use sports and the power of coaches as vehicles for transformative change for youth in underserved communities.

Two of the coaches central to Republic FC’s success on and off the pitch, Mark Briggs and Dennis Sanchez, will be joined by Coaching Corps’ Regional Program Manager Khali Blackman-Newton, a competitive powerlifter and former youth basketball coach who now helps other coaches, and Positive Coaching Alliance’s Executive Vice President Courtney Pollack, a former college soccer athlete and current youth soccer coach.

The hour-long discussion will dive into Mark and Dennis’ time as players and coaches – from the impact on their playing and coaching careers, to the mentors and relationships that have helped them with players that have eventually taken to the professional fields. Along with Khali and Courtney, the panel will explore how coaching is essential to youth development and connected to community change and growth. Join the conversation to ask questions about how these coaches – and coaches around the world — put players first and through sport, can make a difference far beyond the pitch.

Seats are limited for this 1-hour session – sign up and invite the coaches who’ve invested in the players you love to watch play their favorite game.