Five Things to Watch For: Sacramento Republic FC

May 8, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News Release

The Colorado Rapids face Sacramento Republic FC on Tuesday for a Round of 32 matchup in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Sacramento advanced after a third-round 1-0 win against Oakland Roots SC and will host the Rapids at Heart Health Park.

Here are five things to know about the Republic before Tuesday’s matchup:

1. Sacramento Republic FC have been here before

Of the 32 teams featured in the fourth round of the tournament, only eight are non-MLS teams. Despite the strength MLS teams have displayed in the competition, the Republic, a USL Championship side, came close to providing the ultimate “cupset” last season.

In the 2022 Open Cup, Sacramento forced a deep run, finishing runner-up after a 3-0 loss to Orlando City. To get there, the club faced Sporting Kansas City, Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Phoenix Rising FC, Central Valley Fuego FC and the Portland Timbers U21 team. It was the first time since 2008 that a non-MLS team was featured in the finals – Charleston Battery finished second to D.C. United. They are only the fourth non-MLS team to appear in the finals since the conception of MLS.

While the 2022 season was the deepest the club had gone in the Open Cup, Sacramento had been a mainstay in the Round of 32, appearing in the fourth round seven times out of the eight years the club had been in existence. This year would mark its fifth-consecutive appearance.

2. The Republic are dominating the USL Championship

There is only a single team in the USL Championship that is undefeated in league play. Sacramento Republic FC have posted seven wins, three draws and zero losses to rank top of the standings.

The club is buoyed by a stout defense that has only given up two goals in regular season – four less than the next best defense. The club’s offense has complimented its stout defense by tallying 14 regular-season goals, tied for second-most in the USL Championship. Sacramento has a goal differential of 12 in the league – no other team has more than six.

Through 10 matches across all competitions, the Republic have won five of its home matches, drawing its home opener 1-1. The club has recorded four clean sheets at home through all competitions. Of the four USL Championship matches at home, the one goal conceded during the home opener was the single goal scored by an opposing team at Heart Health Park. The Republic plays aggressively on both sides of the ball, giving them a…