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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Know Your Opponent: San Diego Loyal SC

July 1, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The boys in Old Glory Red returned to Sacramento this past weekend and competed against Phoenix Rising FC in front of over 7,000 fans inside Heart Health Park.

The match was Republic FC's first home fixture in three weeks since a June 5 game against another Southern California club - Orange County SC.

But for this weekend's fixture, Mark Briggs men hit the road for what will be the first of a handful of meetings between SRFC and San Diego during the 2021 regular season.

With a busy schedule on the horizon, Sacramento will be hoping to start the run of fixtures on a high note and bring a positive result back to the Indomitable City following this week's USL ESPN Game of the Week that is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2.

Key Moves

2020 was San Diego Loyal SC's inaugural campaign in the USL Championship and the side made a number of offseason acquisitions to continue building a competitive Western Conference club.

The most notable name Loyal SC lured to Southern California was veteran forward Corey Hertzog who ranks third all-time in Championship history with 69 goals during league play. The prolific striker previously played two seasons for Reno 1868 FC where in 2019 he scored 18 goals - the most he netted in a single season during his USL career.

San Diego's top signing in the midfield had to be Jack Blake who captained the 2019 USL Championship title-winning Real Monarchs side. Recently on June 19 against Phoenix Rising FC, Blake bagged a brace and earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week. He also currently leads the team with four goals this season.

Defensively, Loyal SC signed Thomas Vancaeyezeele who was a two-time All-League selection as a defender during his time on the backline for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Head Coach Landon Donovan's side also signed U.S. Youth National Team goalkeeper Trey Muse on-loan from Seattle Sounders FC.

San Diego This Season

Through 11 games this season, San Diego has managed to snag a total of 17 points and currently has sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division standings.

Loyal SC trails first-place Phoenix Rising FC by just two points.

After four consecutive defeats during league play, San Diego has found its form and is unbeaten in its last seven games. Of those seven showdowns, SD earned all three points in five of them including the last four straight fixtures. Most recently, Loyal SC picked up a 1-0 win over Oakland Roots SC on Tuesday night.

Head-to-Head

The Indomitable Club has only once previously played San Diego Loyal SC in league play.

The match was a scoreless draw in San Diego during the 2020 USL Championship campaign.

However, this season both clubs will clash a total of four times - twice at home and twice on the road. August 28 will be the first-ever time Republic FC will welcome San Diego to Sacramento for a Pacific Division showdown.

Last Time They Met

On August 1, 2020, the Indomitable Club claimed a point on the road following the 0-0 result against Loyal SC in San Diego.

The match was the inaugural meeting between the two California clubs as 2020 was the first year Loyal SC competed in the USL Championship.

During the game, goalkeeper Rafael Diaz made his first start of the 2020 season and the shot-stopper set the tone for the rest of the season with his positive play by blanking the hosts on the road.

Saturday's showdown in San Diego against Loyal SC is set to kickoff at 4:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN2.

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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.

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