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USL Sacramento Republic FC

In Their Own Words: "We Just Need to Keep Playing Our Game and We'll Do What We Do Best - Score Goals."

August 12, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Before the boys in Old Glory Red travel to Reno for a midweek matchup against 1868 FC, it's time to take a look at what the boss and Belmar had to say about Wednesday's fixture

The Indomitable Club claimed its first victory away from home over the weekend and the squad has a chance to make it two wins from as many matches when Mark Briggs' men meet Reno 1868 FC on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. PT.

The last time Republic FC traveled to Reno, SRFC escaped with a 3-1 win in the 2019 USL Championship Western Conference Quarterfinals and the boys in Old Glory Red are already 1-0 against their regional rival this season following an extra time penalty kick goal from Cameron Iwasa on July 19.

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 tonight's heavyweight bout.

Head Coach Mark Briggs

On the recent result in Portland...

"We could have scored more goals but at the end of the day we kept a clean sheet. We went on the road and we grinded out a result so for me it's a positive to get three points."

On taking positives from the team's performance over the weekend...

"There's huge positives. It's about taking steps in the right direction; it's about improving every game with the ball and without the ball. I felt with the ball, it's still not where we need it to be but defensively, we look solid. We're working, we're aggressive, I think we won 87% of our 50-50 challenges. So, when you have that attitude and when you have that mentality, you're going to get to where we need to get with the ability that we have. We just need to keep grinding; teams go through phases and we all want it to click straight away and we all want us to play unbelievable football and score five or six goals, but it doesn't work like that. If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it. We just need to keep working, keep chipping away, and we'll get there. I have confidence in them."

On Rafael Diaz's string of shutouts while manning the goal...

"I think he's done great. He's been a calming presence for us. Unfortunately for Adam, he got injured and that's football. Things happen and you get opportunities and you have to take those opportunities when they come up and Rafa's come and grabbed that opportunity with both hands. I thought in San Diego he made a big save at an important moment and then up in Portland he was a calming presence. Very good with his distribution, coming and playing the crosses, good communication organizing, yeah, I'm pleased for Rafa."

Kharlton Belmar

On the win over Timbers 2 and looking ahead to Reno on Wednesday...

"Reno's going to be a tough game. In terms of the last game, it's always tough playing against those MLS 2 teams that are always going to bring a different challenge. Timbers did well in terms of keeping the ball and pressing and we managed it and came out with three points."

On the team's confidence moving forward...

"I think we all have confidence, it's just one of those things where it's going to take a few of those maybe [a ball] off your shoulder, off the post types of things to kind of go your way before the goals start really flying. But I don't think it's really that much of a concern for us as players right now, we know we just need to keep playing our game and we'll do what we do best, and that's score goals."

On finding strength from the defense's solid performances...

"It's a great feeling, it makes our job a bit easier in terms of we just have to focus on our job now. They've been doing a tremendous job back there, so it really comes down to us, we're paying them for all the hard work their doing."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 12, 2020


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