Written By: TalkRising
Phoenix Rising vs Sacramento Republic
7:30 PM Kickoff
Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St. and Washington
Sacramento Republic is a dominant side in the USL Championship over the last few years and currently sit atop the Western Conference- they are a team that have been a constant thorn in Rising’s side during the regular season, playoffs on the other hand are a different story. Sacramento heads into tonight's match currently undefeated in the 2024 regular season. Last season, Phoenix and Sacramento faced each other twice in the regular season, with each side winning one, and losing one. Phoenix traveled to Sacramento and fell 4-0 to the Republic, however when the Republic visited Phoenix, Phoenix was victorious 2-1. The last time that Phoenix Rising and Sacramento Republic squared off was November 4th, 2023, in Sacramento. The two sides battled back and forth, with the Western Conference Title, and a chance to play in the USL Championship Final on the line for both sides. Sacramento Republic found the back of the net in the 31st minute, with a goal from Russell Cicerone, Sacramento felt that they had done everything to secure their spot to the final. However, if you know anything about the 2023 Playoff run from Phoenix, you knew there was no chance they were giving up, especially not that easily. The match was equalized in the 80th minute, when Phoenix was awarded a free kick outside of the 18, that was served in by Renzo Zambrano, where Carlos Harvey was able to get a touch and send the ball off the Sacramento Republic defender, who put the ball into their own net. Emil Cuello was here to save the day yet again, after he had saved Phoenix just one week prior vs. Orange County, where it seemed certain that PKS were going to be the decider, not on Emil’s watch. Emil called game over Orange County in the 117th minute. Now in the next week Emil, playing against Sacramento who is his former team, put the team on his back, and scored the game winning goal in the 92nd minute of the match- he officially ended Sacramento’s season.
Phoenix Rising heads into tonight’s match having beaten the newcomers to the league. Rising defeated Rhode Island, in Rhode Island last Friday night 3-1, with Remi Cabral having two, and Fede Varela recording his first goal of the season. The boys have been slow at times in the attack over the course of the season, and have struggled to get shots off, let alone score goals. Last Friday night was only the second time this season where they have scored more than one goal in the game. Rocco Rios Novo is a 21-year-old superstar, and we know this from last season, he always holds it down in that back, but can we talk for a minute about how incredible he is playing this season- except for holding onto the ball a little too long last weekend. Rocco has faced three penalties this season, and has saved two of the three, with one of them being sent high and wide. When the boys are flying, they’re flying. The energy and the momentum the team has carried over from last weekend’s result, along with playing a Western Conference Rival Sacramento Republic will surely prove to lead to a fiery match between the two sides tonight.
Phoenix Rising Key Players for tonight’s match:
ROCCO RIOS NOVO (Goalkeeper #1)
REMI CABRAL (Forward #91)
GIULIO DORATIOTTO (Midfielder #6)
Phoenix Rising is 3-1-4 heading into tonight, and currently sits in 6th in the Western Conference (wins, draws, losses).
Sacramento Republic played host last weekend to Loudoun United, where Russel Cicerone scored in the 10th minute. Despite an early goal though, the two sides were even at one a piece for most of the game, as Loudoun was able to equalize in the 28th minute. It appeared that Loudoun was going to be able to hold on and return home with a point versus a team atop of the west. The recent acquisition via loan from Huddersfield Town for Sacramento was not going to let a tie be the result. Kieran Phillips subbed into the game in the 73rd minute, he replaced the only goal scorer of the night for Sacramento, Russel Cicerone. Kieran was able to successfully bag himself his first goal of the night in the 86th minute, when Trevor Amann played him a ball through and Kieran split the defenders, and was able to outrun the Loudon center backs, he chipped the goalkeeper, and the ball was in the back of the net. Sacramento leads 2-1. Little did viewers know that Kieran still wasn't done yet- he officially called game in the 92nd minute when he secured himself his second of the night, and Sacramento’s third goal, the assist from this goal came from none other than Sacramento’s goalkeeper Danny Vitiello.
Sacramento Republic Players to keep an eye on tonight:
TREVOR AMANN (Forward - #7)
DANNY VITIELLO (Goalkeeper - #1)
KIERAN JAMES PHILLIPS (Forward- #23)
Sacramento Republic is 5-3-0 heading into tonight, and currently sits in 1st place in the Western Conference (wins, draws, losses).
All images used were taken by TalkRising.
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