USL San Diego Loyal

SD Loyal Heads into First Road Match Tomorrow vs. Sacramento Republic FC

Published on March 24, 2023 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


SD Loyal is off to a quick start in the 2023 USL Championship season. Head Coach Nate Miller's team is undefeated (2W-0L-0D, 6 points) with a pair of shutouts. The club is coming off a 3-0 win against Western Conference rival Phoenix Rising FC after defeating Detroit City FC 1-0 in the sold out season opener. Both wins came at home at Torero Stadium. Miller's team now heads into its first road test when it travels to Sacramento Republic FC.

Miller has been able to maximize his roster, including offseason signings Joe Corona, Ronaldo Damus, Blake Bodily and Elliot Collier. Damus, the 2021 USL Cup Final MVP, scored in his debut against Phoenix while Bodily also found the net. Collier added two assists in the match while Corona was a key starter in the midfield. Just two weeks into the season, all four newcomers are gelling well within a team that returned 15 players from 2022.

It's a similar situation for Sacramento. Nearly all key pieces returned to the squad from its historic Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run, including 2022 Championship All-League selection Rodrigo Lopez and Brazilian midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandes. While a new contract for Head Coach Mark Briggs makes him the longest-tenured manager in club history, the Sacramento offseason was also highlighted by the acquisition of Russell Cicerone, who came over from Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Sacramento is one of seven teams in the Western Conference to start the season unbeaten. The club is coming off a 1-1 draw against Charleston Battery and a 1-0 season opening win against El Paso Locomotive FC.

WHAT:

San Diego Loyal SC travels north for its first road test of the 2023 USL Championship season at Sacramento Republic FC.

WHO:

San Diego Loyal SC

Sacramento Republic FC

WHEN:

Saturday, March 25

7 p.m.

WHERE:

Heart Health Park

1600 Exposition Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95815

BROADCAST:

Fox 5 San Diego

ESPN+




United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 24, 2023


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