Match Preview: Republic FC v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
October 5, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
On Sunday, Republic FC welcomes their final East Coast foe for a Sunday matinee. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC makes their first trip West to Sacramento since 2014, looking to climb back into the top four in the East. Flipping their fortunes after three straight losses is on the minds of Republic FC with a possible home playoff match on the line.
At a Glance: #SACvPIT
Sunday, October 9
2:00 PM kickoff
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, CA
How to watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com, FOX40 App, ESPN+
Pre and Post-Match Party: 5:30PM at Pete’s Restaurant and Brewhouse – 2100 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
The Latest – Republic FC
Getting back on track before the playoffs is the focus for the squad. The remaining schedule should help that effort, with each of the final two matches of the regular season on home turf against teams that are also headed to the postseason. Yes, the club fell in their last home match, but it was just their second defeat on their own ground this season.
Sacramento still managed to clinch a playoff berth on the weekend even through a tough week. Their final two matches will now be spent striving for a home match in the first round. Currently, Sacramento sits alone in fourth place with a tight race for the remaining three playoff spots.
Opponent Report
Pittsburgh has their own slide to correct on a West Coast two-gamer to close their season. The Steel City side hasn’t won in four contests since claiming a playoff berth September 7, dropping to San Antonio and Birmingham and splitting points with Orange County and Louisville City. In that stretch, they’ve been held scoreless twice, although, wet conditions slowed each team down in their most recent match.
Despite recent struggles, the club has been among the most steady this season and with a roster containing a few USL legends, they will surely give Sacramento a run for their money. Kenardo Forbes, Russell Cicerone, Albert Dikwa and USL All-time scoring leader Dane Kelly stand up top and have all put together strong campaigns. Defensively, they enter the match with the fifth-most clean sheets in the league for the season.
Head to Head
Only once have Sacramento and Pittsburgh matched up in the past – a July contest at Heart Health Park in 2014. Sacramento emerged victorious 5-0, with two scores coming from Rodrigo Lopez.
This season, the two clubs have put in very similar score lines. Pittsburgh has conceded 36 scores to Sacramento’s 33, and netted 46 to Sacramento’s 43. Inter conference play hasn’t been as kind to the Pennsylvania side this season as it has to Sacramento, with the incoming visitors posting a 1-3-2 record against out of conference opponents compared to the Quails 5-2-0 mark.
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