Have they stopped the bleeding: Memphis 901 FC @ Sacramento Republic preview

Prior to this two game California road trip things were not looking especially good for Memphis 901 FC. Coming off a 12 game unbeaten streak in league play, they proceeded to lay an absolute egg on the road against Phoenix Rising in a shocking 6-0 loss, the largest loss in team history. The feeling after that game was that it was a one-off bad performance or a “burn the tape” kind of game. A return to AutoZone Park would surely right the ship.

Unfortunately that proved not to be the case for the Beale Street Boys. The return to AutoZone Park was far from what the doctor ordered as they put in another shocking performance against the reigning champions, San Antonio FC. Things started poorly and never got better with the visitors winning comfortably, 4-0. What had been a high scoring and defensively competent outfit had been outscored 10-0 in a two game stretch.

But just as things were started to look as bleak as they had back in the early days of the season, 901 FC had a re-scheduled trip out to California to face the Oakland Roots. And while it wasn’t quite a total righting of the ship, it may have been enough to stop the proverbial bleeding. They conceded first for a third straight game, which very easily could have sent them spiraling once again. However, this time they showed some grit and some fight and were able to equalize in the 61st minute, courtesy of Laurent Kissiedou. That goal proved enough to salvage a draw and earn a point. But will it be enough heading into a game against the best team in the Western Conference?

The Sacramento Republic are indeed currently sitting first in the Western Conference. But they have not been as dominant as that would indicate. In their last six games, they have managed to win just once (a 3-1 win over the same San Antonio FC team that thrashed 901 FC). Dating back to June 3, the Republic have posted a record of 1-1-4 with the lone loss coming at home against Monterey Bay FC. Like 901 FC, the Republic also advanced to the Round of 32 in the US Open Cup (after they made a miracle run all the way to the 75th minute of the final against Orlando City before giving up three goals in the last 15 minutes of the game) before being eliminated by the Colorado Rapids of MLS. Manager Mark Briggs has certainly done a wonderful job since taking over in 2019, guiding them to the playoffs three times in four seasons, a couple of long Open Cup runs, and of course first place in the Western Conference right now.

When, Where

Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023

Venue: Heart Health Park

City: Sacramento, California

Time: 10pm CT

TV: WMC 5.2, ESPN+

All-Time Series

First meeting

Conference Standing

Memphis 901 FC: 4th in East (29pts)

Sacramento Republic: 1st in West (34pts)

Next Game

Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-Up: Memphis 901 FC vs. Orange County SC

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Time: 7:30pm CT

TV: WMC 5.2, ESPN+

Tickets: Single Match Tickets – Memphis 901 FC

Photo Credit: D’Angelo Connell Photography