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Live Blog: Oakland Roots at Sacramento Republic (May 20, 2023)

Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots versus Sacramento Republic on the road at Heart Health Park. Roots walk into the match on a three-game unbeaten streak and back-to-back wins. Sacramento, meanwhile, is the No. 1 team in the league and is coming off a disappointing 1-nil loss to Orange County, making them eager to bounce back.

It seems unlikely Oakland will divert from its starting 11 from the last three matches that has featured Darek Formella up top and Edgardo Rito at right wing. The question is whether Joseph Nane or Irakoze Donasiyano would return to the midfield, but with Donasiyano still ruled out with a lower body injury, we’ll see Danny Gomez return.

For Sacramento, they are without starting midfielder Arnold Lopez after he drew a red card against Orange County. Republic will also be without its captain, Roro Lopez, who suffered what appears to be a season-ending injury.

In Bloom’s match preview, he highlights just how strong Sacramento has been this season. He names Russell Cicerone, Luis Felipe, and Jack Gurr as his players to watch on the Republicans.

Before I give you hope, the overarching point is that Sacramento are the class of the league with 2.1 points per game, having conceded only 4 goals in 10 matches, or 0.4 per 90. In 2022 San Antonio conceded 0.74 per 90 as they waltzed to the title, and in 2021 Tampa Bay conceded 0.69 per 90 on their way to the title game. It’s a small sample size and early in the season, but that kind of form over ten games is pretty meaningful. Relatedly, Sacramento’s 21 points leads the league. They have a huge goal threat in Cicerone, but with 7 of their 17 goals, he is not their only threat.

Postgame Presser

Initial Takeaways

Key Events

Rito a perfect cross to Barbir, slots it home!

It’s a fourth straight game with Formella in the 9-role, Rito at right wing and Lindo Mefka on the left. Kevin Wright is in for Memo Diaz at LB, while Danny Gomez returns for His third straight. We’ll see how Delgado wants his system to work against the quick-transitioning Sac Republic.

Timeline

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