Sacramento Republic FC knew exactly the challenge defending USL Championship title holder San Antonio FC would present in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs on Friday night at Heart Health Park.

From the prior two meetings between the clubs this season, however, Republic FC had the blueprint for success.

More than anything, Sacramento knew it had to win the physical battles. In both prior games, Republic FC had won at least 53 percent of the game’s duels. On Friday night, the side checked that box with a 57.1 percent success rate, while also winning 65.8 percent of aerial duels.

Second, it needed to win its fair share of second balls. Sacramento checked that box as well, making 83 recoveries to 79 for San Antonio as the trio of Luis Felipe Fernandes, Keko and Nick Ross all put in work in midfield to keep the visitors in check.

Third, it needed to play risk-free soccer. That meant at times playing as directly as San Antonio is prone to, lowering the club’s passing accuracy rate in the process. Sacramento’s passing accuracy rate on Friday night was only 64 percent, the second-lowest mark in a game this season, but Republic FC successfully negated San Antonio’s pressing, allowing the visitors no shots off errors and only four occurrences where SAFC won possession in the attacking third.

Earning the right to play is how some players and coaches term it, and it laid the groundwork for a 3-1 victory that sent Republic FC into the Western Conference Final against either Orange County SC or Phoenix Rising FC next weekend.

“Arguably, they are one of the toughest matchups in the league,” said Republic FC midfielder Damia Viader. “We know what their strengths are. So, you just got to stick to your strategy. And we were really focused all throughout the game.”

Viader then helped deliver a second-half surge that decided the game. Brought on for his first appearance in more than a month after an injury had once again sidelined him this season, the Spaniard made an instant impact. Only three minutes after the break, Viader's forward run on the left was found by Fernandes, with a blocked cross resulting in a corner kick.

“[I told them] just to remain in the game, to remain focused and just to stay composed and understand what will happen in the second half – the game will open up and that’s when we can really hurt them,” said Briggs of what he told his players at halftime. “I thought Keko, I thought Luther [Archimede] when he came on, obviously Russell [Cicerone], Dami [Viader] and Luis [Felipe], we found really good pockets in between lines, Nick Ross, really good pockets between lines and it really caused them a lot of problems. And we managed to capitalize and score three goals.”

Viader’s influence in a game-changing performance shone through, however. After a choppy first half in which the two sides generally neutralized one another, the Spaniard’s fluid passing and movement added an element that helped raise the level of those around him.

“Look, Dami is a phenomenal player,” said Briggs. “He’s faced a few injuries and struggled a little bit because of that. But you saw his quality tonight. He has been fantastic this week in training. And then to go on the field and show the quality he has and score a goal – I’m over the moon for him because he’s had some ups and downs.

“To put in a performance like he just did, I’m really pleased for him and obviously for the team.”

Whichever side Republic FC faces for a place in the USL Championship Final next Saturday night at Heart Health Park, the blueprint for success will see changes.

For the side that’s been the most consistent over the 2023 season in the Western Conference, though, the aim of a second USL Championship title remains clearly in sight.

“A great game from the team,” said Viader. “We needed to be solid from zero to the 90th minute. That’s what we did. We know our opponent was very tough, and we stuck to the plan, and it worked.”