USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Republic FC V Phoenix Rising FC

Published on May 28, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The boys in Old Glory Red will be looking for a swift return to winning ways this weekend when Mark Briggs' men welcome division-leaders Phoenix Rising FC to Heart Health Park this Saturday.

Mark Briggs' men will also be donning the Quail Kit for the very first time - the club's new fan-inspired third kit for the 2021 USL Championship campaign.

After Sacramento was handed its first loss of the season last weekend, the squad is fully focused on earning three points against the southwestern side that brought a premature end to its 2020 playoff run.

At a Glance: #SACvPHX

Saturday, May 29

7:30 p.m. PT kickoff

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, Calif.

How to Watch: KQCA My58, Estrella TV Sacramento (Spanish,) ESPN+ (digital)

What's the latest on the team?

Republic FC (2-1-0, 6 points) suffered its first loss of the 2021 campaign after opening its regular season with two consecutive victories.

A first half goal from Chris Wehan was the difference in SRFC's 1-0 defeat to Orange County SC last Saturday night.

Against the SoCal club, the boys in Old Glory Red managed to out-shoot - 12 to 11 - out-possess - 60% to 40% - and create more scoring chances - 9 to 8 - than the hosts.

Mark Briggs' men currently sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division through three games but a win against Phoenix could see the side soar as high as first place. Rising FC currently have a hold of the top spot with nine points.

What about the visitors?

Phoenix is off to a flying start, having claimed all three points in three of its four opening fixtures.

Through four games, Rising FC has surrendered just four goals which is currently tied for sixth-fewest in the Western Conference.

Offensively, the 2020 Western Conference titleholders are firing on all cylinders just like last season, as Phoenix has already netted the most goals in the league this campaign - 13 - and Rising FC's 88 shots is almost 20 shots more than the club with the second-most shots registered in 2021.

While Rising FC has a pair of lethal strikers in the form of Solomon Asante - the 2019 and 2020 USL Championship MVP - and Rufat Dadashov, it's been Santi Moar who has been lighting up the scoreboard for Phoenix this season. Moar's team-best four goals is currently tied for the second-most in the entire league while his two assists are not only the most on Rising FC in 2021 but tied for the most in the Championship as well.

Head-to-Head

In Sacramento, Republic FC has never lost to Rising FC.

Over seven all-time encounters in the California capitol, the boys in Old Glory Red have only allowed one goal to the southwestern offensive juggernaut. It's been 563 straight minutes since Phoenix last found the back of the net in Sacramento.

The last two matches between the two clubs in California ended nil-nil.

In the all-time series, the Indomitable Club has six victories from 15 total fixtures and has outscored Rising FC 16 to 13.

Overall (USL regular season & playoffs): 6-4-5

Home: 3-0-4 (GF: 5, GA: 1)

Away: 3-4-1 (GF: 11, GA: 12)

Viewing Locations

The fourth watch party of the 2021 season is all set for Republic FC's Saturday night showdown with Phoenix Rising FC at a number of locations around town for supporters to get together and cheer on the Indomitable Club.

Reservations are strongly recommended and select locations will be offering specials to supporters wearing their Republic FC gear. All four Zocalo locations will be offering free appetizers to fans wearing their SRFC gear.

Viewing locations include all Zocalo locations (Midtown, UV, Fountains, Folsom), University of Beer, Capitol Beer and Taproom, Capitol Hop Shop, The Hop Gardens and Public House.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 28, 2021


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