With a quarter of the season remaining, Sacramento Republic FC is primed for another shot to move up the division table when they battle Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday for the second of four matchups this season. Republic FC’s midweek trip to the Pacific Northwest will be its first of nine regular season games – all against the Pacific Division.
With a quarter of the season remaining, Sacramento Republic FC is primed for another shot to move up the division table when they battle Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday for the second of four matchups this season. Republic FC’s midweek trip to the Pacific Northwest will be its first of nine regular season games – all against the Pacific Division.
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
On the approach to training ahead of Wednesday’s divisional matchup in Tacoma…
“It's just the importance of the little details. That's what we've spoken about – performance, this and that. The goal on Saturday, we conceded off a set piece that we could have avoided by being tuned in and switched on to the little details, being a little more savvy with the things that happen outside the game. We have to we have to be more focused in on the little details.”
On the group’s confidence in finishing build ups…
“It’s the little details. The devil’s in the detail, a saying I like to use. You can play as well as you like, but if you lose focus in the last moment, if you lose focus from a set piece, if you lose focus from a free kick, doesn't matter how well you play. We create opportunities and we get there, but it’s the final detail, whatever that may be – whether it's in front of goal, whether it's in front of our own goal. Nobody cares how well you play, people care about what happens in both 18-yard boxes, and that's what's most important.”
On having three games in nine days…
“It's not easy. They have to use ice baths, they have to make sure they get the right amount of sleep, they have to make sure they're eating the right foods, they're drinking the right amount of fluids.They have to you have to do everything in their power over the next eight days to make sure they're looking after themselves. And then from a club perspective, we can utilize cryotherapy, massage, the float spa and try and get them as fresh as possible as they can be for each game.”
On the approach to training ahead of Wednesday’s divisional matchup in Tacoma…
“It’s just the importance of the little details. That’s what we’ve spoken about – performance, this and that. The goal on Saturday, we conceded off a set piece that we could have avoided by being tuned in and switched on to the little details, being a little more savvy with the things that happen outside the game. We have to we have to be more focused in on the little details.”
On the group’s confidence in finishing build ups…
“It’s the little details. The devil’s in the detail, a saying I like to use. You can play as well as you like, but if you lose focus in the last moment, if you lose focus from a set piece, if you lose focus from a free kick, doesn’t matter how well you play. We create opportunities and we get there, but it’s the final detail, whatever that may be – whether it’s in front of goal, whether it’s in front of our own goal. Nobody cares how well you play, people care about what happens in both 18-yard boxes, and that’s what’s most important.”
On having three games in nine days…
“It’s not easy. They have to use ice baths, they have to make sure they get the right amount of sleep, they have to make sure they’re eating the right foods, they’re drinking the right amount of fluids.They have to you have to do everything in their power over the next eight days to make sure they’re looking after themselves. And then from a club perspective, we can utilize cryotherapy, massage, the float spa and try and get them as fresh as possible as they can be for each game.”
Midfielder Luis Felipe
Midfielder Luis Felipe
On the team’s training going into Tacoma…
“It's been good. We were recovering from the last game on Saturday and looking forward to the game against Tacoma. We’re looking at things that we have to improve and that we have to put into the game.”
On the biggest focus during training leading up to Wednesday…
“The results (around the division) were all in our favor over the weekend, so we're still in playoff contention and we're looking to this game as a final – one of the last finals that we have, or one of the first one. We're all in. We're locked in for this game. We have to go there and get a good game and come back with three points.”
On the team’s mindset with plenty of upcoming chances to secure a playoff spot…
“We're all confident. There are a lot of points that we have to win against these teams from our division that we're fighting for a spot in the playoffs. We’ve got to look at all of these games as a final.”
On the team’s training going into Tacoma…
“It’s been good. We were recovering from the last game on Saturday and looking forward to the game against Tacoma. We’re looking at things that we have to improve and that we have to put into the game.”
On the biggest focus during training leading up to Wednesday…
“The results (around the division) were all in our favor over the weekend, so we’re still in playoff contention and we’re looking to this game as a final – one of the last finals that we have, or one of the first one. We’re all in. We’re locked in for this game. We have to go there and get a good game and come back with three points.”
On the team’s mindset with plenty of upcoming chances to secure a playoff spot…
“We’re all confident. There are a lot of points that we have to win against these teams from our division that we’re fighting for a spot in the playoffs. We’ve got to look at all of these games as a final.”
Midfielder Mario Penagos
Midfielder Mario Penagos
On the team’s confidence as an attacking unit…
“The confidence is high. All of our attacking players are very good with the ball and are very good finishers. The confidence is not lacking. I think once we get one, we'll be able to get another one and then another one and go from there.”
On the team’s confidence in the locker room…
“It’s a big game. They are ahead of us, but everybody's confident that we can win and come back home with three points.”
On the team’s confidence as an attacking unit…
“The confidence is high. All of our attacking players are very good with the ball and are very good finishers. The confidence is not lacking. I think once we get one, we’ll be able to get another one and then another one and go from there.”
On the team’s confidence in the locker room…
“It’s a big game. They are ahead of us, but everybody’s confident that we can win and come back home with three points.”
