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USL Sacramento Republic FC

In Their Own Words: "The Players Deserve the Praise They''l Get Tonight."

August 16, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Mark Briggs' men made it three wins from three straight matches after a trio of first half strikes found the back of the net and guaranteed all three points were headed to the boys in Old Glory Red.

Cameron Iwasa scored his 50th career goal during league play in his 100th career start with Republic FC and Dariusz Formella netted his second brace in two encounters this season against Defiance - all before the first half whistle.

The victory keeps the boys in Old Glory Red in contention for the top spot in Group A but before the squad looks ahead to Saturday's match, it's time to see what the squad on their minds after the win over the weekend.

Head Coach Mark Briggs

On the team's performance against Tacoma...

"It was a really pleasing performance. Three games in seven days is difficult for anybody, and then you add in the heat of today, and the weather. It's an element that we had to handle, and I thought the boys, especially in the first half, we moved the ball how I would like the ball to be moved. We moved it at speed, we played between lines, and we got our attacking players in one v one when we needed to. Overall it was a it was a pleasing 90 minutes and there are a lot of positives to take from it."

On his team's offensive explosion on Saturday...

"The players I have, the talent in the forward line that I have, yes we haven't been scoring goals, but we will score goals. You've got Derek Formella next to me, he scored two tonight. You've got Cameron and I think with the level of ability that we have in our forward players; we're going to score goals. It's just a case of when, and tonight you know we got three, but even still, we could have gotten six or seven, to be honest. So, but there's a lot of positives, which is pleasing."

On making adjustments from the first match against Tacoma in July...

"I think we were slow to come out of the second half and it took us a while to get going and then we allow a goal on a set piece, someone loses their man and we concede. But to be fair to the group, they regrouped, they got themselves in good positions and in good spots and we slowly started to claw our way back into the game and take control. I wasn't happy with the start of the second half, but you also have to remember that three games in seven days is, it's pretty brutal on anybody. And then you add in the elements of the weather and the battle that we put in against Reno on Wednesday night, all these elements that add into it and they play into it. So, you've got to give the players credit. We've got nine points out of three games. They deserve the praise that they'll get tonight."

Dariusz Formella

On his two goals against Defiance...

"The first goal, Cameron had a good situation. The defender blocked him, and the ball was just on my foot, so it was simple, and I just hit the target. The second one was a very good cross from Belmar and then I screamed to Cameron to leave the ball. I made a good first touch and then finishing [inside] the near post, so that's it!"

On if it helps playing alongside other lethal attackers like Iwasa and Belmar...

"Of course, because every single one of these guys can create the chance and can score a goal. So, the defenders are not just focused on one guy or two guys, they have to worry about four guys. It's so much easier for everybody. Today I scored two goals but who knows, maybe next game I will not score, and the defenders will be more worried about me. But it's a pleasure to play with these guys."

Cameron Iwasa

On hitting 50 career goals during USL Championship play...

"Yeah, I mean it feels good, it would have felt better if there were some people here to celebrate it. To be honest, the whole number 50 thing, it's obviously a big accomplishment but it's not something that's honestly that important to me. The goal of this week was for us to get nine points, and that's what I'm buzzing about right now."

On Villyan Bijev's selfless assist to set up his half century milestone...

"That was absolutely beautiful. See, that's something that I think once we kind of get that chemistry [we can do every game]. He told me after the fact that he didn't even see me ,he just heard me yell and he trusted that I was in a good spot, and, you know, if we get to the point where we're giving up a good chance for a great chance and, you know, playing legitimate team ball, we're going to be a tough team stop."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 16, 2020


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