Sacramento Republic FC v. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Preview

You have to lose at some point right?

Coming off their first loss in five matches, Sacramento Republic FC return home to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Wednesday night.

The Republic will have to go back to the drawing board after the weekend’s performance, losing a tough match to NorCal rivals Monterey Bay FC, 1-0. The lone goal came in the first 15 minutes, coming off a set piece header from Union striker Christian Volesky that gave Republic goalie Danny Vitiello no chance at saving it. Opportunities for equalizers came few and far between, with Sacramento’s best chance of the match coming prior to the goal after a beautiful ball from Jack Gurr found Keko for an easy tap-in, only for goalie Antony Siaha to deny it. Monterey held on after that, securing three points at home while their cross-state foes left pointless.

Despite the disappointing result, head coach Mark Briggs is determined to get his side on the right track Wednesday.

“A performance that wasn’t good enough Saturday,” Briggs said candidly Monday after training. “I know it, the team knows it, everybody knows it. And fortunately for us, we got an opportunity to bounce back on Wednesday against one of the top teams in the league and try and put some points on the board.”

That task is better said than done as the Switchbacks have been one of the best sides of the USL Championship this season. Currently third in the Western Conference standings, the sides previously met in July as Sacramento lost handily in Colorado, 3-0.

To be fair, the Indomitable Club were entering their third match in 10 days, beating Monterey Bay and LA Galaxy days prior. Nevertheless, this is no time for excuses according to Briggs, admitting their opponents were the better side last month.

“They’re a good team and they beat us pretty candidly, to be honest, in the away game, when we were on the back of a bit of a brutal schedule,” Briggs said.

Additionally, this may be the time to catch Colorado Springs, winless in their last four matches. Regardless, Sacramento respects their opposition as a premier side in the league, but is eager as ever to settle the score at home.

“You want to test yourself against the better teams, and they’re certainly one of the better teams in the league. But there’s nothing for us to fear. We got to come out and we’ve got a bounce back from Saturday.”

FULL TIME: Making their Mark 😎@MontereyBayFC took its first victory against NorCal rivals @SacRepublicFC thanks to Christian Volesky’s winner.#MBvSAC | https://t.co/HEtdZDegNT pic.twitter.com/jspHfu62Du

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 14, 2022

Only separated by five points in the standings, a true six-point match could provide extra motivation for a Sacramento side looking to push for a deep run in the USL playoffs this season.

“It’s huge,” midfielder Luis Felipe said Monday. “I think that’s something that we have to look forward to, getting higher up the table, especially the way that other games have gone in our favor. I think we have to take those chances and just win games and move up the table.”

Held scoreless in the first meeting, Felipe sees Wednesday’s match as a great opportunity to bounce back with the crowd on their side.

“I think it’s a great opportunity, especially for being at home with our fans. It was a tough game on the weekend, but it’s a great opportunity to bounce back,” Felipe stated.

The home crowd is obviously a plus but there shouldn’t be extra motivation according to Briggs, explaining that his team sets the standards for themselves, always prepared to go into a 90-minute battle.

“I think, not necessarily any extra motivation. They were the better team on that day. We have to be the better team on Wednesday. We’re motivated in every game we play and we’ve got to keep our standards and get back to our standards after Saturday,” Briggs said.

Kickoff from Heart Health Park is set for  will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 App, as well as streaming on ESPN+.

Follow @AmilianoFragoso

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