USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Republic FC V Phoenix Rising FC

June 24, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The boys in Old Glory Red are finally back at home this Saturday night when division-leaders Phoenix Rising FC pay a visit to Heart Health Park.

With a dusk kickoff set for 8 p.m. PT, the evening setting will provide comfortable temperatures for fans to enjoy the cool and breezy summer night.

Having last taken the pitch for a competitive match on June 9, the Indomitable Club is fully focused on hunting down three points against this weekend's fellow Pacific Division foe - and Mark Briggs' men will finally be able to do it in front of a full-house for the first time since the 2020 home opener.

At a Glance: #SACvPHX

Saturday, June 26

8:00 p.m. PT kickoff

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

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

Single Match Tickets

Matchday Guide: Know Before You Go!

What's the latest on the team?

Come Saturday, it will have been three weeks since Republic FC (2-4-1, 7 points) last played a home match and the Indomitable Club will certainly be fired up to finally return home to a stadium that is allowed to host supporters at full capacity.

Not only will fans be in the stands in full force, but the late 8 p.m. PT kickoff will offer soothing temperatures as the summer sun starts to set.

However, just because the temperatures will be cooler come game time doesn't mean the intensity between the two Western Conference clubs will be any less sizzling.

Republic FC is primed to return to winning ways after starting the season a flawless two wins from two matches. With a full and healthy squad together now that SRFC's trio of Kharlton Belmar, Rafael Diaz and Shannon Gomez have returned from international duty, Mark Briggs' men are hoping to secure a positive result against Rising FC in what is the first of six consecutive matches against divisional opponents.

What about the visitors?

Like Sacramento, Rising FC (5-2-1, 16 points) kicked off the 2021 USL Championship season with six points from two straight victories.

On May 15, Phoenix was handed a 2-1 by Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida - a match that pitted the 2020 Eastern and Western Conference champions against one another. Following the road defeat, Phoenix went on a four-game unbeaten run that included three victories where the Arizonian club outscored its opposition by a combined 9 to 1.

Most recently, Rising FC was handed a 2-1 loss at the hands of San Diego Loyal SC last Saturday night in Southern California. Loyal SC's Jack Blake bagged a brace before Arturo Rodriguez cut the deficit in half but SD managed to hang on and hand Phoenix just its second loss this season.

Head-to-Head

The last time Rising FC visited Sacramento was the first and only time in eight all-time meetings that Phoenix left town with all three points.

In eight all time encounters in Sacramento, the boys in Old Glory Red have surrendered just two goals against the Arizonian offensive powerhouse. Republic FC is one of just three teams to hold Rising FC to just a single goal during a league match this season.

Back on May 29, the two clubs clashed for what was the first of four regular season fixtures in 2021 with Phoenix earning a 1-0 win at Heart Health Park. Santi Moar's strike proved to be the difference and broke a goalless draught of 625 consecutive minutes Rising FC had when playing against Republic FC in Sacramento.

In the all-time series, SRFC still has the upper hand with six wins and boasts a winning record of 6-5-5 against Rising FC.

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

Home: 3-1-4 (GF: 5, GA: 2)

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

Single Match Tickets

Limited seats are still available for Saturday night's match at Heart Health Park against Phoenix Rising FC. Supporters interested in attending the match can purchase tickets by visiting https://www.sacrepublicfc.com/single-match-tickets

Get a Shot, Get a Seat

Republic FC and the Sacramento County Public Health office are collaborating to support community health.

Eligible fans (ages 12 and up) can select an appointment to get their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and get two free tickets to a Republic FC match. Interested fans can do so by booking their appointment here.

Pre-game Tailgate Returning

For the first time in over a year, the pre-match tailgate will return to Heart Health Park.

Fans can purchase tailgate passes for this weekend's match here. Reservations will be an additional $5 and available for purchase online on a game-by-game basis.

Fans can also expect to see the return of the Kids' Zone, Marketplace, and Fan Zone inside Heart Health Park for Saturday night's showdown against Phoenix Rising FC with kickoff set for 8 p.m. PT.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 24, 2021


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