On a nationally broadcasted stage, the first matchup between Sacramento Republic FC and San Diego Loyal this season saw them share the points. San Diego were the better side on the field, but it was a stoppage time equalizer from Mitchell Taintor that decided the result in a 1-1 game.
Both of these sides came into the contest wanting to improve their position in the Pacific Division. San Diego came into the contest riding a 4 game win streak, with 17 points on 11 games played, and 7 games unbeaten. San Diego had a chance to move from 3rd to 1st in the division, given that other results went their way. Sacramento Republic started the contest with 7 points on 8 games played. Republic were looking to snap a cold streak of 5 of the last 6 games played being losses and 1 game being a draw. This string of matches put the Republic 6th in the division, 5 points behind Los Dos in 4th.
The home San Diego put out this lineup for the match:
Coach Briggs put out this lineup:
There were a couple of changes in the lineup from the Republic’s last match. Tomas Gomez comes on to replace Rafa Diaz, after he was subbed off early in the last match against Phoenix. Jordan McCrary is brought into the backline to replace Shannon Gomez. Nabi Kibunguchy makes another appearance at center back for Hayden Sargis. Luis Felipe and Mario Penagos come in the midfield for Andrew Wheeler-Ominu and a suspended Fatai Alashe. This change hints that Briggs is going for 4 in the back instead of the 3 center backs, plus 2 wing backs, look we’ve been seeing. Tucker Bone also starts in the front line instead of Kharlton Belmar.
Both teams got glancing blows at each other with shots coming in but were off target. The first decent chance came in the 15th from San Diego as a long ball over the top got to Callum Montgomery. Montgomery got a solid header in the box forcing Gomez to make an effort at it. The shot went off the bar and out.
In the 40th minute, perhaps the best chance for the Republic so far came actually from their own half of the field. Dan Casey with a very ambitious shot looked to catch keeper Trey Muse off his line. The chip from beyond the center line almost caught the keeper but he was able to get a hand on it and tip it over for a corner.
The first half ended as it started, with both teams still deadlocked at 0-0. Both sides had spells of possession with chances at goal, but no side is able to establish and dominate the match. Republic absorbed the pressure so far well, but need to make use of the possession they get as best they can. The Republic front line has been mostly quiet, with the best chance coming from Casey. San Diego had the better chances but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Sacramento started the 2nd half.
San Diego opened the scoring in the 61st. Simple cross from the left flank sent in by Miguel Ibarra got to a diving Corey Hertzog who headed it home from point blank range.
San Diego nearly doubled their tally immediately. Sloppy turnover came to Alejandro Guido who left it off for Hertzog who nearly put it in the bottom corner of the Republic net.
Briggs went to the bench for the first time in the 79th minute as he brought on Shannon Gomez and Julian Chavez for Mario Penagos and Tucker Bone. Briggs also brought on Kharlton Belmar in for Duke Lacroix in the 87th minute seeking that equalizing goal.
The final 10 minutes saw the Republic constantly hover around the Loyal box. Chances came in and around but none of them too troubling. Decent chance from Chavez in the 87th as a curved effort from outside the box was stopped by Muse.
Briggs used another substitution window to have Mitchell Taintor come in for Jordan McCrary in stoppage time, putting the defender up top.
And the substitutions bared fruit as Mitchell Taintor equalized the match in stoppage time. The big man got on the end of a cross from Belmar. He won the header and put it away.
Sacramento definitely stole a point from San Diego. The Loyal were definitely the team that looked better on the field. Somehow the substitutions were able to crack the San Diego defense and get a result in the dying moments of the game. Republic will take this result given their recent form, but they are still stalling below the playoff line. Republic stay in the 6th position, now with 8 points on 9 games played. Next time out will be a midweek match at home against Oakland Roots.
Final Stats:
Sacramento Republic FC: 1 goal, 13 shots, 5 shots on target, 39.3% possession, 8 corners, 2 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards
San Diego Loyal: 1 goal, 10 shots, 3 shots on target, 60.7% possession, 2 corners, 1 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards
Republic FC Lineup: Tomas Gomez, Jordan McCrary (OUT, 90+’), Nabi Kibunguchy, Dan Casey, Duke Lacroix (OUT, 87’), Luis Felipe, Mario Penagos (OUT, 79’), Tucker Bone (OUT, 79’), Cameron Iwasa, Petteri Pennanen, Dariusz Formella
Republic FC Bench: Shannon Gomez (IN, 79’), Duke Lacroix, Hayden Sargis, Kharlton Belmar (IN, 87’), Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Mitchell Taintor (IN, 90+’), Julian Chavez (IN, 79’)
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
Comments
I'm not sure what I'm watching.
I am not a life long soccer fan, and would not claim to be any kind of expert. But what I feel like I am seeing is either a lack of a clear plan to execute on the pitch, or a group of players unable or unwilling to execute the plan. When I see different lineups every game, is that because the coach is searching for a group that can execute the plan together, or some combination of players who can figure something out despite the lack of a clear plan? Or is there a plan, but it is stale and predictable and static, so every team is totally ready for it, and the players lack conviction and interest in it?
When I feel like I’m seeing a disconnect among the different levels (D,M,F), is it because they are not developing enough familiarity? Are they not all on the same page, or is there just nothing legible written on the page? Are other teams really just better and faster and stronger, and our boys are in scramble mode 80 minutes per game; or are Republic more or less winging it game to game against prepared opponents?
I want to understand better what I’m watching, because I’m having more and more trouble getting behind it.
By left hand on 07.04.21 5:40pm
Kickball
I encourage my U-8 kiddos not to just send the ball into the defense of the other team every time you get to kick it because you most likely give up the possession. This result was pure luck. But if it buys the coach a few more games to figure out how these players are going to work as a team, I hope they take advantage of the opportunity. I’m used to rooting for the Kings so I know what I’m seeing right now.
By Republic Forever on 07.04.21 5:48pm
Still not good enough
In the San Diego game, there was more hustle, but the defense in particular still made a ton of turnovers deep in our portion of the pitch. I think possession percentage can be overrated, if a team is just passing it around, but not really attacking. But when you consistently give the ball over in bad positions, it is going to eventually bite you. I’ve been seeing a lot more signs of frustration (red cards, Belmar kicking a water bottle on to the pitch after getting subbed off against Phoenix, Formella getting a yellow card at the end of the SD game for kicking the ball (unintentionally) at a SD player, etc. The players need to make some breaks for themselves, cut down on the turn overs, convert some more chances and start to have more confidence in each other. In the past the Republic has relied more and their outside backs to get in to attack, but for whatever reason, outside of improvement on set pieces, the attack seems to be pretty direct. I am hoping that tonight we will see less turnovers, a continuation of the strong effort, players playing smart (no needless cards), and some quality chances coming from the wings. With a hot OC coming in on Saturday, they need to get points (plural) from this game in front of the home crowd.
By danieltyree on 07.07.21 8:13am