When the final whistle blew, it was still hard to comprehend what had just happened.

Sacramento Republic FC had accomplished against Louisville City FC something that had never been done before against the two-time USL Championship title winner, and four-time Eastern Conference title winner.

From first to last, Republic FC’s 5-0 victory at Heart Health Park was emphatic, and thoroughly deserved.

“I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that against a top team in this league,” said Sacramento forward Russell Cicerone. “Defensively, we didn't really give them much and then offensively we were creating a lot, whether it was in possession or in transition. I mean, it was a joy to be a part of out there.”

From the fifth minute, when Luis Felipe Fernandes drove home a rebound opportunity from eight yards, the hosts barely took their foot off the gas pedal. Following the pregame instruction of ruthless execution from Head Coach Mark Briggs to the letter, it opened an avalanche of chances that Louisville had little answer for.

As bad as things got for the visitors – Saturday marked the first time in LouCity’s history it had conceded five goals in a game – the reality was it might have been worse.

Sacramento struck the woodwork three times in addition to its five goals – which marked Sacramento’s club-best in the Championship since midway through the 2019 season, and its highest in league play during Briggs’ tenure – as Cicerone, Rodrigo Lopez, Jack Gurr and the rest of Republic FC’s side tore forward at every opportunity.

“I think as a group we have to start to believe a little more in ourselves and what we can achieve,” said Briggs. “Make no mistake, [Louisville is] a very, very good team, they’re a well-coached team. I was very pleased to score five goals against a team of that level. The boys were just exceptional tonight. Everyone who stepped on the field was exceptional.”

In the middle of it all was Cicerone, who has quickly lived up to the expectations that were placed on him after his offseason arrival. With a pair of goals, both sharply taken, the 28-year-old showed the impact he is capable of as a centerpiece to Sacramento’s attacking endeavors.

According to American Soccer Analysis’ Goals Added metric, no individual has had a bigger positive impact so far this season than Cicerone, who sits with a +2.02 mark through his first four games at his new club.

“With the group I have around me, I’m going to get chances,” said Cicerone, sharing the praise. “And when I find myself in those spots, I just got to be clinical, and do what I can do. I know I'm confident in those spots, and I just got to keep being that way. And then I mean, like I said, with the talent I have around me, I'm going to get a lot of opportunities this year.”

“That’s just Russell, right?” added Briggs. “He scored two goals tonight. He came off the field, and he said to me, ‘I should've had three.’ He’s hungry, he wants to score goals, and he wants to win. And that’s what we brought to the club. That’s what’s adding to our group.”

On paper, as early-season sequences of matches go, Republic FC’s three consecutive games against San Diego Loyal SC, Louisville, and next week’s opponent San Antonio FC – three of the top four clubs currently favored to lift the USL Championship title according to fivethirtyeight.com – is some kind of gauntlet.

Having claimed victories against the first two of those opponents, Sacramento will head to San Antonio next Saturday night at Toyota Field with the chance to gain a major foot up on its competition. SAFC will undoubtedly be the toughest bridge to cross – the defending title holder’s 15-game undefeated streak dating back to last season is no accident. The game will serve as a measure of how much Republic FC has closed the gap between the clubs since last season.

After a night in which Briggs became Republic FC’s all-time leader in coaching victories, the desire to return to the top of the USL Championship continues to be the guide for him and his squad. 

“Whoever put [the record] on the screen had perfect timing, because I was in the middle of the huddle and got drowned by the players,” said Briggs. “It’s something that, for me, is a great accomplishment. But I want to bring silverware to this club. I want to bring silverware to this city.”

Four games into the new campaign, Republic FC has the makings of a club primed to deliver.