USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs San Antonio FC

May 5, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


May 6, 2017; 5:30 p.m. PDT Kickoff

Sacramento Republic FC (3-3-1, 10 pts.) will play the second match in a three-match road stretch when they travel to Texas to take on San Antonio FC (6-0-1, 19 pts.) on Saturday, May 6. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PT at Toyota Field. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide.

This is the first of two matches between Sacramento Republic FC and San Antonio FC this season and is the second ever meeting between the two clubs. The pair drew in their only other previous matchup, with Republic FC converting a stoppage time penalty to earn the point at home. Only 11 of the 28 players that played in that match are still currently on either Republic FC or San Antonio FC's roster.

Republic FC come into the match after a scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, Apr. 29. With the tie on Saturday, Republic FC sit in third place in the USL Western Conference with 10 points on the season. The club was in a very similar place last season, also earning 10 points through the first seven games including a win against a previously unbeaten and top of the table LA Galaxy II on May 7, 2016. San Antonio FC is currently unbeaten and at the top of the USL Western Conference table.

Another similar theme in Republic FC history has played out again this season, a slow month of April. Republic FC went 2-3-1 this season in April making their all-time USL record in April 8-12-2. Despite April being a historically slow month for Republic FC, May has traditionally been a strong month for the club with an overall USL record of 8-1-2. Republic FC also currently hold a four-match unbeaten streak in May dating back to May 30, 2015.

Defenders James Kiffe and Emrah Klimenta have been mainstays in Republic FC's backline since 2014 and both continue to anchor a strong defense this season. Should Kiffe make an appearance against San Antonio he will become only the third player in Republic FC history to make 80 appearances for the club in all competitions, joining Klimenta and former Republic FC midfielder Octavio Guzman. Kiffe and Klimenta are already the top two players in Republic FC history for USL minutes played and USL starts, with both playing over 5,000 minutes and making over 60 starts with the club.

San Antonio FC enter the match on a seven-match unbeaten streak and a four-match win streak. They also have the highest goal differential in the USL having scored a league-leading 18 goals this season and giving up four goals, the second-least of any USL club.

Midfielder Billy Forbes and forward César Elizondo lead the powerful San Antonio FC attack this season. Forbes is tied for the USL lead in goals with six on the season, while Elizondo has four goals. Forbes and Elizondo both have three assists on the season.

Republic FC will host two official watch parties at SacTown Sports Bar in Old Sacramento and Pitch and Fiddle (21 and over). SacTown Sports Bar is located at 106 J St. and Pitch and Fiddle is located at 8704 La Riviera Dr. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for best seating.

The match will be streamed live on SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide and the USL Match Center. Updates of the match will be also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SAvSAC.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 5, 2017


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