Sports stats



USL San Diego Loyal

Regular Season Finale at Sacramento Republic

October 29, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


On Saturday, Oct. 30, San Diego Loyal is set to visit Sacramento Republic for the last matchup of the four-match series. The Week 28 match will be broadcasted on YurView and ESPN+ and on Azteca America 33 in Spanish.

WHO:

- SD Loyal SC

- Sacramento Republic

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 30

7:3 p.m. PT

WHERE:

Heart Health Park

1600 Exposition Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95815

MATCH PREVIEW:

The opportunities were there. SD Loyal had the chance to clinch a home playoff match for the first-time ever. It had already earned a spot in the USL Championship postseason for the first time with four games remaining. Instead, it now has to win against Sacramento Republic in the regular season finale and hope that LA Galaxy II beats Orange County SC on the same night.

SD Loyal comes into the Week 28 road match having lost two in a row and playing to a draw against New Mexico United. It was that match against New Mexico that began a series of setbacks for coach Landon Donovan's team. SD Loyal led 1-0 in stoppage time and it appeared to be headed to the win that would help push closer to a home playoff match. New Mexico scored seconds before the final whistle to draw 1-1. SD Loyal could have also clinched that coveted home playoff match a few days later. It traveled to face Orange County SC. A win would have sealed it but a first half goal by the home team was enough for the home club. Then there was the 4-3 loss last week at home against Oakland Roots. Donovan's team tied the game in the 86th minute with a Corey Hertzog goal but again SD Loyal would allow a goal in stoppage time. Oakland Roots converted a penalty kick to win the game.

Throughout the 2021 season, SD Loyal has gone through short slumps during the season and has answered with unbeaten streaks. All it needs is one win paired with an Orange County loss this time around. It has the chance to win the four-game series against Sacramento Republic on the road and hope for a favorable result from LA Galaxy II. A loss against Sacramento would mean Donovan's team would begin the playoffs on the road against the second-place team from the Mountain Division.

Sacramento Republic enters the match Saturday night already eliminated from playoff contention. It can play spoiler and avoid finishing without a win against SD Loyal this season. Sacramento is coming off a 1-1 draw against Pacific Division winner Phoenix Rising FC, where it had the lead until an 84th minute own goal led to the draw. Sacramento hasn't won a match in its last five opportunities. It has three-straight draws following a pair of losses. One of those defeats was an Oct. 9 loss against SD Loyal at Torero Stadium. Sacramento Republic's last win came on Oct. 2 in a 3-1 outing against Tacoma Defiance.

Fully refundable playoff ticket deposits for a potential home playoff match can now be made.

Check out the San Diego Loyal Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 29, 2021


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.

Other Recent San Diego Loyal Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central