Sacramento Republic to play Phoenix Rising in playoffs on Oct. 10

The date is set, as Sacramento Republic FC will play their Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff match on Saturday, Oct. 10 against Phoenix Rising FC at Casino Arizona Field, the club announced Friday.

The announcement comes after the USL Championship quietly gave Phoenix Rising a 3-0 win in their last game, which was abandoned at halftime by San Diego Loyal after a Phoenix player was accused of directing a homophobic slur at a gay San Diego player. The game was 3-1 at halftime, San Diego leading, when they abandoned the match and declared a forfeit. The league has upheld that forfeit.

Now we have a date and a time (7:30 pm PT) for the playoff game, although there are still some loose ends on Phoenix’s side that are unclear for the moment. PRFC head coach Rick Schantz and player Junior Flemmings are both on leave for the moment as a result of Wednesday’s events, and while it’s entirely possible either or both could be back by the playoff game, who knows, really. Speaking in pure sporting terms, Flemmings was a USL Championship MVP candidate this season and Schantz is regarded as one of the best coaches in the league, so if either man is missing, that could be a boost for Sacramento’s chances.

That all is to be determined. For now, Phoenix vs. Sacramento on Oct. 10 is set, and we’ll see what happens when the playoffs kick off.

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