Sacramento Republic By the Numbers: A Tale of Two Halves

Remember earlier this season when people were complaining that Sacramento Republic was a low scoring team that played great defense? That team seems to have disappeared recently and I, for one, want them back. Or at least for that team to play for more than 45 minutes at a time. Now the Republic seem to be almost an entirely different team between the first and second halves.

Let's break down this trend and others by looking at the numbers.

First Half vs Second Half.

29 - The Republic's rank out of 29 USL teams in total goals scored (4) in the first half of games.

1 - The Republic's rank out of 29 USL teams in total goals allowed (3) in the first half of games

1 - The Republic's rank out of 29 USL teams in total goals scored (19) in the second half of games

22 - The Republic's rank out of 22 USL teams in total goals conceded (14) in the second half of games.

7 - Total goals scored between both teams in the first half of Republic games this USL season.

33 - Total goals scored between both teams in the second half of Republic games this USL season.

Losses

0 - Times before this past week that the Republic has given up three or more goals in consecutive games.

3 - Times before this past week that the Republic has given up three or more goals in any game.

7 - Home losses in USL play in the Republic's first two seasons.

3 - Republic home losses in USL play this season.

100 - All of the Republic's four USL losses this season have been by a one goal margin.

Goals, assists, and Mike da Fonte.

6 - Assists by Danny Barrera, who currently leads the league in the category.

3 - Number of those assists that have gone to center back Mike da Fonte.

6 - Goals by Cameron Iwasa, the Republic's leading scorer this season. He is tied for 11th in the USL scoring table.

21.7 - Percent of Republic goals that have been scored by starting defenders this season. Mike da Fonte has scored three, Emrah Klimenta has scored two.

The importance of Emrah Klimenta

3 - Sacramento Republic games that Emrah Klimenta has missed this USL season.

0.67 - Points gained per game by the Republic when Klimenta does not start (1-1 Draw vs Swope Park Rangers, 2-3 Loss vs Real Monarchs, 3-3 Draw at Orange County).

1.93 - Points gained per game by the Republic when Klimenta starts.

2.33 - Goals allowed per game by the Republic when Klimenta does not start

0.71 - Goals allowed per game by the Republic when Klimenta starts.

0 - Republic players who have started every game this USL season.

Moving forward, the Republic is going to need to figure out how to adjust on defense with Klimenta's absence. The team has seemingly done a complete 180 and much has shifted in the last month. The Republic is having a hard time keeping even the poor scoring teams out of the back of the net, but has scored 13 goals in their past five games.

What are your thoughts on this week's numbers? Sound off in the comments below.