Sacramento Republic FC will play its last game away from Heart Health Park on Saturday when the Indomitable Club travels to Phoenix Rising FC. The Boys in Old Glory Red are looking to replicate one of their best performances of the season against Rising FC when they held the Arizona side scoreless for the first time in 32 matches back in August.
Sacramento Republic FC will play its last game away from Heart Health Park on Saturday when the Indomitable Club travels to Phoenix Rising FC. The Boys in Old Glory Red are looking to replicate one of their best performances of the season against Rising FC when they held the Arizona side scoreless for the first time in 32 matches back in August.
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
On preparing for this weekend’s match at Phoenix Rising FC…
“We had a lot of games in a short period of time, so we gave them a couple days off to refocus, re-energize and get their bodies back. The last three days, it’s just been about intensity, quality and enjoying what we do. We have two games remaining where I just want to see good performances. I want to see hunger. I want to see a desire to try and obtain the six points that are available.”
On preparing for this weekend’s match at Phoenix Rising FC…
“We had a lot of games in a short period of time, so we gave them a couple days off to refocus, re-energize and get their bodies back. The last three days, it’s just been about intensity, quality and enjoying what we do. We have two games remaining where I just want to see good performances. I want to see hunger. I want to see a desire to try and obtain the six points that are available.”
On Republic FC’s last visit to Rising FC and the defensive effort of that night…
“The last time we were down in Phoenix, it was one of our better performances of the year. To hold a team of Phoenix’s quality and caliber to 0-0 is an accomplishment, but we didn’t take the next step, and that next step is winning in those scenarios. That’s one of the other games this year that we should have won. We’ve got to go down there this weekend and we’ve got to show a good account of ourselves and come back with points.”
On Republic FC’s last visit to Rising FC and the defensive effort of that night…
“The last time we were down in Phoenix, it was one of our better performances of the year. To hold a team of Phoenix’s quality and caliber to 0-0 is an accomplishment, but we didn’t take the next step, and that next step is winning in those scenarios. That’s one of the other games this year that we should have won. We’ve got to go down there this weekend and we’ve got to show a good account of ourselves and come back with points.”
Republic FC Defender Shannon Gomez
Republic FC Defender Shannon Gomez
On the potential to make a statement this weekend in Phoenix…
“We all know we’ve got to lock in. Every game is still like a final. You have to still believe, and you have to play because this is something that’s serious. We’ve got to go down there with a mentality that we’re going to win. We’re still trying to get in the playoffs and keep that playoff hope alive. This week in training was going back to the drawing board, figuring out what works for us and what will help us get a win, and just go down to Phoenix, give 110% and try to come away with three points.”
On snapping Phoenix’s 32-match scoring streak from the last meeting and building on it…
“You always want to build on your last performances. You always want to do better. You always want to take the positive out of the game, strengthen your strengths and work on your weaknesses. This is a test again. This is the fourth and last time we’re going to play them in the season, and we want to put a good showing in and come up with something from the game. We could’ve taken three points last time and unfortunately, we didn’t. This game, when we go out there, we want to go out with heart. We want to play to the best of our abilities. We want to get something out of this game and three points is of the essence.”
On the potential to make a statement this weekend in Phoenix…
“We all know we’ve got to lock in. Every game is still like a final. You have to still believe, and you have to play because this is something that’s serious. We’ve got to go down there with a mentality that we’re going to win. We’re still trying to get in the playoffs and keep that playoff hope alive. This week in training was going back to the drawing board, figuring out what works for us and what will help us get a win, and just go down to Phoenix, give 110% and try to come away with three points.”
On snapping Phoenix’s 32-match scoring streak from the last meeting and building on it…
“You always want to build on your last performances. You always want to do better. You always want to take the positive out of the game, strengthen your strengths and work on your weaknesses. This is a test again. This is the fourth and last time we’re going to play them in the season, and we want to put a good showing in and come up with something from the game. We could’ve taken three points last time and unfortunately, we didn’t. This game, when we go out there, we want to go out with heart. We want to play to the best of our abilities. We want to get something out of this game and three points is of the essence.”
Republic FC Midfielder Jaime Villarreal
Republic FC Midfielder Jaime Villarreal
On pressing Phoenix on their home pitch in a 0-0 draw in August…
“The key was playing as a team and having the energy to try and beat the best team in the league. That motivated us for that game. Hopefully for this game, we go in with the same mentality of shutting them down, but also creating chances and giving ourselves and opportunity to score.”
On having a full week of preparation after playing four matches in 12 days…
“It’s going to help building off pressing and having the legs to do it for 90 minutes. This week has been key for us to recover and be on the right mind of ‘we’re going out there to press them and try to make it as hard for them as possible.’”
On pressing Phoenix on their home pitch in a 0-0 draw in August…
“The key was playing as a team and having the energy to try and beat the best team in the league. That motivated us for that game. Hopefully for this game, we go in with the same mentality of shutting them down, but also creating chances and giving ourselves and opportunity to score.”
On having a full week of preparation after playing four matches in 12 days…
“It’s going to help building off pressing and having the legs to do it for 90 minutes. This week has been key for us to recover and be on the right mind of ‘we’re going out there to press them and try to make it as hard for them as possible.’”
