In the past seven matches, Sacramento Republic FC are not only unbeaten, but are also riding a hot offensive streak, averaging 1.86 goals per match. After capturing a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Saturday, Republic FC sit in second place in the USL Western Conference, four points behind leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
However, despite newly acquiring second place in the Western Conference, Republic FC aren’t pausing to celebrate, but instead remain focused on the task and matches ahead. With a road match against Arizona United SC looming in the distance on Saturday, Republic FC remain focused on turning their resilient play in the Western Conference into refinement.
“What we’ll have to do is dust ourselves down — delighted with the win, it’s about winning — and see how we can improve,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle after Saturday’s win. “But it’s always that way anyway.
Against the Toros on Saturday, Republic FC took an early lead when forward Cameron Iwasa scored just 38 seconds into the match, setting a new record for fastest goal in club history.
However, Republic FC gave away the lead twice in the match before a late goal from defender Emrah Klimenta in the 87th minute lifted the boys in Old Glory Red to a win.
“Unfortunately, we gave up the lead twice but we kept showing a lot of fight, a lot of resiliency to come back,” said Iwasa. “After they equalized we get another one and then they equalize again, and we got that last one. Always feels good to win at home for sure.”
“It was that way all night,” added Buckle. “We got the lead and we’d throw it again but I have to say something about the character of the players and sometimes in the end you have to win, you have to find a way to win and we did. We seem to be able to kick once we concede.”
While Buckle commended the team’s character to come back and win the match, he is eager to refine the club’s performance to not just continue Republic FC’s winning ways, but to dominate future matches.
“[Games] should be clear…Sometimes in the end you have to win, you have to find a way to win and we did,” said Buckle. “However, we must learn to manage games better. Control games and be a little more clinical.”
While Republic FC will look to further refine their play during training this week, Saturday’s match still signaled important benchmarks for the club as they look to further establish their dominance in the Western Conference.
Despite giving up the lead twice, Republic FC’s first two goals signaled further refinement and success for the club’s offense, which has more than quintupled their goals per match average in the past seven matches compared to the club’s first six matches of the season.
Not only was Iwasa’s goal in the first minute a new club record, but it was also the third goal for Republic FC to come in the first half of play. Additionally, his second goal of the night, scored early in the second half, was the club’s first goal scored off a corner this season.
Both goals signal how the club has been successfully improving their technical work on offense throughout the season.
“Dating back to last season we’ve struggled with the set pieces and that’s something that Paul’s had us working really hard on, trying to find some chemistry on the set pieces,” said Iwasa “To finally get the breakthrough is great and hopefully it just opens the floodgates.”
In addition to first half goals and set piece goals, Republic FC look to further expand on their unbeaten streak by refining their play, with Buckle stressing after Saturday’s match the club needs to provide better protection on the ball and refine their match management techniques.
“We look a dangerous team now. We look like we can win games, we are winning games. We’ve always got to improve,” said Buckle. “There has to be protection…there should be no clear line of pass through to [the opposing team’s] strikers.”
While Republic FC look to improve their ball possession, confidence will go a long way for the club as they look to find their way to the top of the Western Conference.
“We’ve been on a very good run, we’re hot right now. We’ve shown a lot of confidence on the field, there’s a lot of confidence in the locker room,” said Iwasa. “When we step out here. We believe we can win any gam, we expect to win every time. Recently we’ve shown that we’re definitely a tough team to beat.”
Republic FC travel this weekend to face off against Arizona United SC on Saturday, June 25. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Peoria Sports Complex. The match will be broadcast live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
In the past seven matches, Sacramento Republic FC are not only unbeaten, but are also riding a hot offensive streak, averaging 1.86 goals per match. After capturing a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Saturday, Republic FC sit in second place in the USL Western Conference, four points behind leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
However, despite newly acquiring second place in the Western Conference, Republic FC aren’t pausing to celebrate, but instead remain focused on the task and matches ahead. With a road match against Arizona United SC looming in the distance on Saturday, Republic FC remain focused on turning their resilient play in the Western Conference into refinement.
“What we’ll have to do is dust ourselves down — delighted with the win, it’s about winning — and see how we can improve,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle after Saturday’s win. “But it’s always that way anyway.
Against the Toros on Saturday, Republic FC took an early lead when forward Cameron Iwasa scored just 38 seconds into the match, setting a new record for fastest goal in club history.
However, Republic FC gave away the lead twice in the match before a late goal from defender Emrah Klimenta in the 87th minute lifted the boys in Old Glory Red to a win.
“Unfortunately, we gave up the lead twice but we kept showing a lot of fight, a lot of resiliency to come back,” said Iwasa. “After they equalized we get another one and then they equalize again, and we got that last one. Always feels good to win at home for sure.”
“It was that way all night,” added Buckle. “We got the lead and we’d throw it again but I have to say something about the character of the players and sometimes in the end you have to win, you have to find a way to win and we did. We seem to be able to kick once we concede.”
While Buckle commended the team’s character to come back and win the match, he is eager to refine the club’s performance to not just continue Republic FC’s winning ways, but to dominate future matches.
“[Games] should be clear…Sometimes in the end you have to win, you have to find a way to win and we did,” said Buckle. “However, we must learn to manage games better. Control games and be a little more clinical.”
While Republic FC will look to further refine their play during training this week, Saturday’s match still signaled important benchmarks for the club as they look to further establish their dominance in the Western Conference.
Despite giving up the lead twice, Republic FC’s first two goals signaled further refinement and success for the club’s offense, which has more than quintupled their goals per match average in the past seven matches compared to the club’s first six matches of the season.
Not only was Iwasa’s goal in the first minute a new club record, but it was also the third goal for Republic FC to come in the first half of play. Additionally, his second goal of the night, scored early in the second half, was the club’s first goal scored off a corner this season.
Both goals signal how the club has been successfully improving their technical work on offense throughout the season.
“Dating back to last season we’ve struggled with the set pieces and that’s something that Paul’s had us working really hard on, trying to find some chemistry on the set pieces,” said Iwasa “To finally get the breakthrough is great and hopefully it just opens the floodgates.”
In addition to first half goals and set piece goals, Republic FC look to further expand on their unbeaten streak by refining their play, with Buckle stressing after Saturday’s match the club needs to provide better protection on the ball and refine their match management techniques.
“We look a dangerous team now. We look like we can win games, we are winning games. We’ve always got to improve,” said Buckle. “There has to be protection…there should be no clear line of pass through to [the opposing team’s] strikers.”
While Republic FC look to improve their ball possession, confidence will go a long way for the club as they look to find their way to the top of the Western Conference.
“We’ve been on a very good run, we’re hot right now. We’ve shown a lot of confidence on the field, there’s a lot of confidence in the locker room,” said Iwasa. “When we step out here. We believe we can win any gam, we expect to win every time. Recently we’ve shown that we’re definitely a tough team to beat.”
Republic FC travel this weekend to face off against Arizona United SC on Saturday, June 25. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Peoria Sports Complex. The match will be broadcast live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
