Two full matchdays complete in the USL Jägermeister Cup, and from the 38 clubs across the USL Championship and League One competing for a Shot at Glory, we’re down to seven who’ve emerged with a maximum of six points from two games.

(Yes, we see you, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and San Antonio FC, and we’ll be watching June 25.)

And of those seven, we think we’ve identified the team in prime position to win it all in October.

Step forward, Sacramento Republic FC.

• AT THE FOREFRONT: You might remember, Republic FC was one of our picks to prioritize USL Jägermeister Cup before the tournament began in April. While it might not actually have been the side’s highest priority, it’s been so far, so good across two wins after Saturday’s 4-0 result against a Las Vegas Lights side that had previously won its first two group stage games.

• HEATING UP: The game itself was closer than the final score indicated. The Lights weren’t without their chances – Republic FC goalkeeper Jared Mazzola posted a five-save shutout, taking up the mantle for now as the club’s starter in the competition ahead of Danny Vitiello – but Sacramento put away its chances impressively as Russell Cicerone notched his first game with multiple goal contributions since March with a goal and assist.

• HE SAID IT: “I think as the game went on, we played some of the best football that we've played all season. I think some of the spells of football in the second half were outstanding. We scored goals. All around a good night.” – Republic FC Head Coach Neill Collins

In two games in the Cup – as well as the league matches between – Republic FC has put up numbers that give it the look of a contender. That should be no surprise for those who’ve followed Collins’ career as a Head Coach, where May has been a dominant month both at his previously stop with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and now in Sacramento. After Saturday’s result, his record of never having lost a USL-sanctioned contest in the month remains.

But the short-form numbers also put Republic FC in a select group on its own in the USL Jägermeister Cup. Of the clubs who’ve played at least two games of their group stage, Sacramento ranks in the top six in Expected Goals (4.08xG) and Expected Goals Against (1.57), the only club that can make that claim, while its +5-goal differential is matched only by Group 3 leader Indy Eleven.

Equally as impressive was the rotation Collins was able to employ against the Lights. Veterans Rodrigo Lopez and Sebastian Herrera came off the substitutes bench, while Luis Felipe Fernandes and Trevor Amann – who had scored in his last three appearances – got the night off completely.

“It’s the best type of difficult, because I’m leaving out guys like Trevor and Luis Felipe, who in many respects deserve to be out there, but we’ve got a squad for a reason,” said Collins. “I’ve got to utilize them week by week, game by game, sometimes we’re going to win games and play well, and I’m still going to make changes if I feel that a player can come in and give us a different attribute.”

With two road games to come against Orange County SC and Spokane Velocity FC to play – and the potential for a duel for top spot with Monterey Bay FC that could come down to goals scored – Republic FC has work ahead to secure its advancement.

The form it’s currently showing and the depth it has at its disposal, however, make it arguably the team to beat right now.