2025 Match Recap: Colorado Springs Switchbacks //, Sacramento Republic FC //

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The defending champions are fighting to get back in the playoffs and have the ability to defend their crown. The Switchbacks entered this match in the final playoff spot, just two points above Orange County. However, a win could propel them as high as third in the conference. That just shows how congested the Western Conference is in the final stretch. This team was unbeaten in their last three matches. This stretch includes an impressive 2-0 win over conference leaders FC Tulsa. And their last match was a shootout in Tampa Bay as they drew 3-3. The last time these two sides met was early in the season in March, when the game ended 2-2. Jack Gurr and Russell Cicerone brought the lead to the Republic, but two penalty conversions late in the match for Colorado Springs leveled it for the visitors.

The climb to first place in the conference might be too much for the Republic to overcome this late in the season. Sacramento was 8 points behind FC Tulsa with 7 matches left in the regular season. But the Republic needed to keep their recent form going to continue building a gap to the teams below them and to carry momentum into the postseason. Sacramento's unbeaten streak in the league was also sitting at three matches. This includes the two wins on the away swing to New Mexico and Tampa Bay. And then in their last match, it was a disappointing 2-2 draw to Phoenix. Russell Cicerone and an own goal gave the Republic the lead at the half, but Phoenix stepped up in the second half and fought their way back into that one.

Coach James Chambers had this lineup for Colorado Springs:

Coach Neill Collins brought this selection for Sacramento:

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Key Takeaways:

Sacramento Republic FC: / goals, / shots, / shots on target, /% possession, / corners, / offsides, / yellow card, / red card.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: / goals, / shots, / shots on target, /% possession, / corners, / offsides, / yellow card, / red card.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Rayan Djedje, Freddy Kleeman, Jack Gurr, Ryan Spaulding, Nick Ross, Luis Felipe, Russell Cicerone, Khori Bennett, Blake Willey

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Chibi Ukaegbu, Cody Baker, Michel Benitez, Dominik Wanner, Justin Portillo, Rodrigo Lopez, Cristian Parano, Lewis Jamieson

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)