April 6, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
After a break from league action for the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup, Republic FC embarks on its second road trip of the year to the Lone Star State. The 2022 USL Championship Final winner – San Antonio FC – lines up opposite the Indomitable Club in a clash between two squads tied in points at the top of the Western Conference.
At a Glance: #SACvSA
Saturday, April 8
5:30 p.m. PT kickoff
Toyota Field, San Antonio Texas
Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com, FOX40 News app, ESPN+
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It is the club’s second contest in four days and third in eight following the start of their U.S. Open Cup campaign on Wednesday night. The club secured a spot in the third round after an eventful match against a plucky Crossfire side giving everything they had. Extra time was required to advance as Sacramento fought back time after time, with a Johnny Fenwick score in the 112th minute going down as the decider.
Sacramento enters Saturday atop the league’s power rankings for the second week in a row. The club’s 5-0 win over Louisville City FC last week saw Russell Cicerone and Jack Gurr earn Team of the Week honors for the second time this season as the club motored along with little resistance offensively.
Know Your Opponent
San Antonio is coming off two strong results of their own. Wednesday, a rotated squad featuring several academy debutants took an Extra Time victory in the U.S. Open Cup. Their last league match ended as a 2-1 victory after an 85th minute game winner gave them all three points over Monterey Bay F.C.
Last year’s league champions remain a strong outfit, and a similar squad in both style and personnel. Former Sacramento defenders Mitch Taintor and Shannon Gomez still patrol the backline, while Justin Dhillon, Conor Maloney, and PC lead the midfield. They don’t top the league in any statistical categories at the moment – but still play an aggressive style that gives teams a tough challenge.
Head to Head
Saturday marks the 11th meeting between the clubs’ dating to San Antonio’s 2016 entry into the league. The all-time fixture is even, with each taking 4 wins and splitting points twice. Both sides took 1-0 victories on home turf last season, with Sacramento’s coming on June 4 and San Antonio’s coming on September 25 at Toyota Field.
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