USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC

Published on October 21, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


SACRAMENTO, California - Sacramento Republic FC will close out 2021 regular season road schedule on Saturday, October 23 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Phoenix Rising FC from Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Chandler, Arizona.

Last time the two clubs faced off, the Boys in Old Glory took a stout defensive effort into the desert that snapped a longstanding scoring streak from the Arizona side.

At a Glance: #PHXvSAC

Saturday, October 23, 2021

7:30 p.m. PT

Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, Chandler, Arizona

How to watch: KQCA My58, Estrella TV, ESPN+

The Latest on the Team

Republic FC is coming off its sixth clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw with Tacoma Defiance on Sunday afternoon at Heart Health Park. Carlos Saldaña made his fifth start on the afternoon and recorded his first shutout in Old Glory Red.

SRFC turned up the intensity on the attack in the second half against the Defiance. Republic FC logged 12 of their 15 open play crosses, both shots on target and six of their eight shots from inside the box in the latter 45 minutes of play.

Jaime Villarreal made his 100th appearance for the Indomitable Club on Sunday, becoming the fourth player in club history to reach the mark. The midfielder went for 87 minutes against Tacoma and was one of five Republic FC players to complete at least 85% of his passes while logging two shots and one chance created.

Opponent Report

Phoenix Rising FC dropped a season-high six goals on Las Vegas Lights FC over the weekend for the ninth win in their last 11 games. The high-scoring 6-3 affair at Cashman Field saw Rising FC reach at least 10 shots on target for the fifth time this season.

Rising FC jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after 16 minutes with both goals assisted by Aodhan Quinn in a game that saw a 3-2 score line at the intermission. Quinn went on to log one more assist before subbing off in the 62nd minute.

Club scoring leader Santi Moar increased his 2021 total to 16 goals over the weekend with his first multi-goal game of the season. Moar scored twice against Lights FC on five shots, including three on target.

Head-to-Head

Republic FC is 6-5-7 all-time against Rising FC, including 3-3-2 in Arizona during the regular season. Last time the clubs met, SRFC snapped Phoenix's 32-match scoring streak in a 0-0 draw in Chandler on August 21. The Indomitable Club held Rising FC to 11 shots, its second lowest of the season. Two shots on goal for Phoenix was a season-low for the club.

Offensively, SRFC created 15 opportunities on the night and 15 shots (nine on goal), forcing nine saves from Phoenix. 11 of 15 shots, eight of nine shots on target and eight of 10 shots from inside the box all came in the second half for the Boys in Old Glory Red. Cam Iwasa led all Republic FC players with five shots, including four on frame. Jaime Villarreal led the way with three chances created while Duke Lacroix and Darek Formella followed with two each to help SRFC secure a point.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 21, 2021


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