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Match Preview: Sacramento Republic vs Phoenix Rising

Two things: Play hard, bring 3 points home

Nicole Greer

After another a hard fought battle against the Swope Park Rangers and only a measly 2 days off, Sacramento Republic will travel to Arizona for a challenging match versus Phoenix Rising FC.

Although the team has been strong at home, Republic has struggled this season in away games with a 4-5-2 (W-L-T) record. However, they currently hold an all time record of 4-1-3 against Phoenix, losing only one match against them.

Sacramento is coming off a hard fought game wherein they had to come back from behind twice with tying goals; the final one coming in the 88th minute by Tyler Blackwood in order to secure a tie and maintain a little control in the 5th spot in the Western Conference.

Phoenix, although unpredictable and currently at 11th place, have a dangerous an historically great player in Didier Drogba. Although he has only 9 USL appearances, he currently leads the team in goals (Tied; 5) and shots (41). Their other leading scorer, forward Jason Johnson, has appeared in 17 matches but has only shot 23 attempts, making his efficiency an outstanding 21.7%.

Phoenix currently sits at the bottom in clean sheets, with only two. This is an weakness Sacramento must take advantage of. After a strong offensive performance on Wednesday, there’s no reason why it won’t carry over to a defensively mediocre team in Phoenix. Hopefully this will jump start Republic’s offense.

Defensively, Sacramento will have to stay focused and not allow easy goals. Phoenix have the seventh fewest amount of goals in the league, so there is a huge chance Evan Newton will add another clean sheet to his resume. The return of Chris Christian and Jeremy Hall from suspension should be a huge lift to the defensive end.

Here are comparative stats for the match:

SRFC a PRFC.csv

Categories Sacramento Republic FC Phoenix Rising FC
Categories Sacramento Republic FC Phoenix Rising FC
Games played 22 20
Goals 32 24
Shots on target 120 90
Shooting accuracy 50.40% 46.10%
Conversion rate 13.40% 12.30%
Assists 26 15
Goals conceded 25 29
Clean sheets 6 2
Shots faced 77 89
Tackles won 268 209
Tackles success rate 79.30% 77.10%
Duels won 941 841
Duels success rate 50.50% 51.90%
Successful passes 8,140 5,092
Passing accuracy 81.00% 75.00%
Successful crosses 95 64
Crossing accuracy 26.20% 25.90%
Successful dribbles 137 107
Dribbles success rate 45.50% 54.60%
Fouls won 262 244
Fouls conceded 259 232
Yellow cards 42 38
Red cards 1 4

If Sacramento continues to play hard and with great focus, they should be able to beat a mediocre team in Phoenix and bring 3 points home.

Be sure to cheer them on!

The match will be broadcast on CW31 and streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide and in the USL Match Center. Updates of the match will be also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #PHXvSAC. - Sacramento Republic News