Sacramento Republic FC are stuck in a skid the last five games, no doubt about it. They need to transform their form quickly if they are to stay in a very competitive Pacific Division.
While time is of the essence, there’s still a ton of season to be played yet, and honestly, the best news is that Sac Republic aren’t adrift in their division. Far from it.
In fact, Sacramento are just a point below the playoff line at present, sitting right smack dab in the middle of the pack. Would they rather be at the top? Of course, but it is what it is.
I think a bit of a malaise has set in to start the season, and with a slump like the team’s on, it’s no wonder there’s growing concerns in terms of results, but this is to illustrate hope of turning it around is not lost, far from it.
Republic FC will help Oakland Roots open their home slate in the USL Championship on Saturday, before taking on the heavyweight Phoenix Rising and then San Diego Loyal. There are no easy games in this season, to be sure, and I expect even Phoenix to be dropping games along the way. Sacramento are suffering from some bad luck, some bad play, and a brutal schedule.
But if they’re taken this 10-day spell as a reset of sorts, then they really only need a few wins in short order to pick up their level and more importantly, spot in the standings. It’s not a given, but it is unquestionably in the realm of the possible, starting with Saturday’s showdown against Oakland.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
Comments
It is good that SRFC is not getting lapped by the top of the division.
Only Phoenix is really consistently good. OC is good. LAFC is in second on total points, but has only taken 11 points from 9 games.
"Hope of turning it around" is not in the standings, though; it’s in the product on the field. While having won twice, Republic have only been the better team on the field once, against Lights. They have been clearly and decisively the lesser side in several matches. Pennanen has either been not good yet, or the rest of the squad doesn’t know what he’s doing. Everything going forward is hopeful or random; nothing is purposeful, organized, and precise. Defense has competitiveness, talent, and bite, but multiple breakdowns and brain farts.
Being a playoff team because several clubs manage barely above a point per game isn’t very satisfying, and isn’t really acceptable. A talented, competitive, cohesive team should be on the field in Sacramento.
By left hand on 06.18.21 4:11pm