In our preview for the Republic’s last match, against Tulsa Roughnecks, we threw down the gauntlet of the “must-win game” and Sacramento delivered a resounding victory. The situation facing the Republic is not so dire this weekend against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, but it is still an important one. It is the start of the Republic’s series of road games that will see them play three matches in ten days and it is imperative that the team start that series off right.

Setting the Table

The Republic come into Sunday’s match in a pretty good spot. They currently sit in sixth place, the final playoff spot, and are six points ahead of the nearest real threat, Portland Timbers 2. T2 will be hard pressed to make up that ground on the Republic when their remaining schedule is taken into account. They only have three matches left in the season, all against current playoff teams: Colorado Springs, Sacramento Republic, and LA Galaxy II. Of those matches, they play only Sacramento at home. Although T2 could potentially gain ground on the Republic, especially with a home win against them, it seems unlikely that they could take points off either Colorado Springs or Los Dos away from home.

The seventh placed team, Tulsa Roughnecks, are the Republic’s nearest threat on paper but were essentially eliminated as a threat in the playoff race by Sacramento’s win last week. That game left Tulsa with 36 points and only one more game to play. Even if the Republic were to lose on Sunday and Tulsa were to win and take over the sixth spot, it is unlikely that they would be able to keep it, given how many teams have games in hand over them.

Public Opinion

In the most recent ICS Poll Question, we asked you the fans if you thought that the Republic was back on track with their win over Tulsa. The answer, as you can see below, was more along the lines of “wait and see” rather than “back on track.”

That idea that fans are waiting to see how the team does this Sunday against Vancouver Whitecaps 2 to say the team is back on track adds a little something more to the game.

So How About a Loan?

According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, San Jose Earthquakes coach Dom Kinnear is in agreement with most Republic fans in that he wants Tommy Thompson, JJ Koval, and Mark Sherrod to be playing with the Republic. But at the same time, the trio trained with San Jose this week and it seems possible, if not likely, that they will be in the matchday 18 for the Quakes today. In the event that the trio are in fact loaned back to the Republic, they will need to make an appearance in tomorrow’s game in order to maintain their playoff eligibility, which means they will have some traveling to do.

In the ICS Poll Question above, there was also a strong faction of fans that felt that the addition of the loan players greatly strengthened the Republic. Those fans, as well as the wider fanbase in general, will be hoping that the loan trio arrive in Vancouver in time for the game and in a condition to play.

Player to Watch

It is tempting to simply put “All three San Jose Loans” here and leave it be, but we will be strong and resist that temptation for now. Instead, we will highlight Danny Barrera as a player to watch on Sunday. Whether in wide positions or in the middle of the field, Barrera has been consistently impressive, showing close control, great vision, grit on the defensive side of the ball, and a great passing ability.

At this point in the season, it’s fairly safe to say that if Barrera is available, he will be playing. And if he is playing, he will more than likely be a difference maker for the Republic. Barrera has started in every league game since Buckle came to the Republic, picking up a goal and an assist in that time.

How to Watch

Sacramento Republic FC kick off against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday at 3pm PDT. It can be viewed, as every USL match can, live on YouTube.