Sacramento Stalemate: Sacramento 3-3 Oakland
For anyone who hopes the Republic-Roots fixture develops into a genuine rivalry, a 3-3 draw was a perfect outcome for the first edition of this matchup.
Republic came out in a 3-5-2. ESPN’s pre-game graphic predicted Roots would use a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they played more as a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond in defense, while Harish would join the forwards in something resembling a 4-3-3 in attack. For the most part, Republic controlled the midfield, looking like a side that wasn’t in just its 3rd game together. The postgame stats show that Republic enjoyed 60% possession, a fair reflection on a game that was mostly even, but punctuated by spells of play in which Republic would pin Roots back in their own end.
Despite Republic’s edge in the midfield, Roots did a decent job of slowing Republic’s attempts to go forward. Early in the game, though, Republic generated several chances when forwards would get ball side of Roots defenders to receive balls over the top from the wingbacks. It was exactly this scenario that led to the free kick Republic used to slot home their first goal.
For their part, Roots showed an obvious desire to attack up the flanks. The fullbacks pushed up the field, with Matias Fissore typically dropping deep to protect the center backs. Roots found some success up the left flank, with Mbumba and Enriquez in the first half, and then Diaz, Flores, and Enriquez in the second, leading to their first and third goals (the third coming off the head of Jeremy Bokila after Roots worked the ball to the edge of the 6-yard box). The second goal was just a work of art by Mbumba, who collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box off a corner kick, pantsed his defender, and thunked one home past the keeper.
Roots’ third goal was almost immediately matched by Republic, drawing the game level at 3-3 in the 68th minute, and then Roots held on for the draw through a nervy last twenty minutes. Roots’ clinicality was key to securing the point here. Republic generated more than twice as many shots (17-8). The decision to use a midfield diamond in defense against a team set on utilizing wingbacks to advance the ball was exposed early. Attempts to cover Republic out wide opened up space through the middle, which allowed Rpublic midfielders the freedom to execute a few brief passages of one-touch football to get a winger enough space on touchline to launch a ball into the box. Republic has had trouble early in the season converting their chances, and that trend mostly continued in this game. Roots had no such trouble, which allowed them to sit back and try to play on the counter. If Roots ever run into trouble finishing their chances, the midfield will likely need to exert more control over the center of the pitch to compensate.
Republic came out in a 3-5-2. ESPN’s pre-game graphic predicted Roots would use a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they played more as a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond in defense, while Harish would join the forwards in something resembling a 4-3-3 in attack. For the most part, Republic controlled the midfield, looking like a side that wasn’t in just its 3rd game together. The postgame stats show that Republic enjoyed 60% possession, a fair reflection on a game that was mostly even, but punctuated by spells of play in which Republic would pin Roots back in their own end.
Despite Republic’s edge in the midfield, Roots did a decent job of slowing Republic’s attempts to go forward. Early in the game, though, Republic generated several chances when forwards would get ball side of Roots defenders to receive balls over the top from the wingbacks. It was exactly this scenario that led to the free kick Republic used to slot home their first goal.
For their part, Roots showed an obvious desire to attack up the flanks. The fullbacks pushed up the field, with Matias Fissore typically dropping deep to protect the center backs. Roots found some success up the left flank, with Mbumba and Enriquez in the first half, and then Diaz, Flores, and Enriquez in the second, leading to their first and third goals (the third coming off the head of Jeremy Bokila after Roots worked the ball to the edge of the 6-yard box). The second goal was just a work of art by Mbumba, who collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box off a corner kick, pantsed his defender, and thunked one home past the keeper.
Roots’ third goal was almost immediately matched by Republic, drawing the game level at 3-3 in the 68th minute, and then Roots held on for the draw through a nervy last twenty minutes. Roots’ clinicality was key to securing the point here. Republic generated more than twice as many shots (17-8). The decision to use a midfield diamond in defense against a team set on utilizing wingbacks to advance the ball was exposed early. Attempts to cover Republic out wide opened up space through the middle, which allowed Rpublic midfielders the freedom to execute a few brief passages of one-touch football to get a winger enough space on touchline to launch a ball into the box. Republic has had trouble early in the season converting their chances, and that trend mostly continued in this game. Roots had no such trouble, which allowed them to sit back and try to play on the counter. If Roots ever run into trouble finishing their chances, the midfield will likely need to exert more control over the center of the pitch to compensate.
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