Sports stats

USL Sacramento Republic FC

In Their Own Words: "It's a Collective Effort"

August 15, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Before the boys in Old Glory Red host Tacoma Defiance for the second time this season, Head Coach Mark Briggs and Goalkeeper Rafa Diaz shared some thoughts on the team's recent win in Reno, how the club is adapting with Rafa in net, and the club's culture.

The Indomitable Club restarted the season against Tacoma on July 13 in a 3-3 draw. But with two road wins, and three consecutive clean sheets, the Indomitable Club is looking to earn three points to keep them at the top of the table.

Before both sides clash for the second time this season, it's time to check in on how the team is feeling about their form heading into Saturday's contest.

Head Coach Mark Briggs

On returning to Papa Murphy's Park after 3 road games:

It's always good to come back to Papa Murphy's, it's always good to play at home. I think for us, home field is a special place and a good advantage for us. I think for us you'll see that aggression, that defensive attitude and mentality to win individual battles.

On team defense & clean sheets:

It's a team desire to keep clean sheets, and Rafa has played a huge part in that in the last three games, making big saves when we need him. And to be honest, adding a calming presence to the back for and to the group overall. I think it's credit to Rafa, to his performances, but also credit to the 10 players in front of him that help him out. It's a collective effort and that's why we get clean sheets.

On Rafa rising to the occasion:

I think it's a little it's a little unfair to for people to be saying, Adam's a starter... Rafa's the starter... whatever it might be. Because ultimately, we signed two goalkeepers that are both able and both willing and both competing. Adam got the nod at the start, but Rafa's been in a different class at training. He's been banging on my door. He's been making me think he needs to play. And sometimes in life, in this game, you get opportunities. He got an opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands.

It's really unfortunate what's happened to Adam with his injury. Credit where credit's due, Rafa deserves to be playing no matter what the scenario is. We have two goalkeepers that are competing and can be number one.

On coming off a tough week beyond the pitch:

We've got a good group of guys, a togetherness within the group and I think everybody after the game wanted to support our family. We held up Adam's shirt and wished him all the best in his recovery. He's still a part of this team, a part of our unit, so he'll be he'll be along every up and down with us. And credit to Adam, he's got a he's got to mentally handle it and bring himself back to full fitness and put himself in the best possible position to play a game, which I'm sure he will do.

We've got a lot of people that do a lot of work behind the scenes. Jason Israel is the Team Admin and puts a lot of work in for these guys and make sure everything's organized. He had some bad news this week and then obviously everybody saw Adam's injury the other day, which for a footballer is devastating. So, we just felt it was it was a good moment to show an appreciation for the two people that had some bad news.

Goalkeeper Rafa Diaz

On the team's defensive mentality:

It comes from preparation and training. We really work really hard defensively. And the mindset going into that game is making sure that we give our team the best opportunity to win. It's not just me... it's 10 other guys in front of me working really, really hard to limit the times I need to make a play. And when it's time for me to get called upon, we've been fortunate to make a play.

On team chemistry and confidence:

It's something that you do want to build as a team, and you want everyone to trust you.That comes from hard work and training well, and these guys now that I trust them in front of me. And it's great that the boss feels the same way feels that way about me and it gives me confidence. Hopefully I'm able to do that for the rest of the team.

On working with Grinwis:

I think we work really well together. We're our good friends and I feel like I can talk to him about anything, he can talk to me about anything and we have this competitive nature. When it's his turn to I was supporting him and chirping in his ear and he was asking me things. And likewise, the other way around, so it's good to have that competition in between because it does bring the best out of you.

On starting the last three clean sheet matches:

I just take it every game at a time. I prepare myself through the year by training, and I can try I stay ready. So when I got the opportunity, there is not really thinking too much into it. And like coach said, it's a collective group, so it's not really just me out. There are 10 guys, overall, with the mindset of not giving up. And, and that's kind of fortunate enough that we've had those results go our way and hopefully we can continue that.

On first home match after 3 road games:

It's great to be back, you know, familiar grounds and hopefully tomorrow we can we can really come out and give a strong performance and end the week really well.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 15, 2020


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sacramento Republic FC Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central