Sacramento Republic FC will look to claim a season sweep of Las Vegas Lights FC on home turf on Sunday afternoon. | Photo courtesy Las Vegas Lights FC
Sacramento Republic FC will try to get back on track as the new month begins as it plays host to Las Vegas Lights FC in an afternoon kickoff at Heart Health Park with a chance to secure at least a top-four finish in the Western Conference.
Here’s a look ahead at the action.
Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC will try to rebound from consecutive games without a win as it looks for a season sweep of Las Vegas Lights FC, which enters having gone winless in its last three outings. Republic FC (15-6-10, 55pts) suffered a 2-0 defeat to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Saturday night, marking the first time this regular season the side had been held scoreless in consecutive games. The result allowed San Antonio FC to close the gap at the top of the Western Conference to one point going into the weekend’s games, but should Sacramento match its 2-1 victory at Cashman Field earlier this season it would move clear of fifth-placed Phoenix Rising FC and could sit in a guaranteed top-two spot pending results elsewhere on Saturday night. Las Vegas (3-18-10, 19pts) earned a 1-1 draw on the road against San Diego Loyal SC in its last outing as Danny Rios scored a first-half goal for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. While the postseason is out of view for Lights FC, the side has continued to battle as it seeks to end the season in positive fashion.
Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Russell Cicerone: The forward scored when these sides met for the first time this season but is without a goal in his last eight appearances, a downturn in form he’ll be aiming to turn around with the postseason drawing near.
Las Vegas Light FC – Danny Rios: The 20-year-old El Salvador international has recorded five goals and three assists in the past seven games and will look to continue that form in hopes of a call-up to October’s Concacaf Nations League contests.