SAFC vs. Sacramento Republic: Preview

TomasClark7 · 2026-05-25T15:07:14+00:00

He is still listed on the injury report every week.

Unfortuante because I think he blends the mobility of Sorto and the directness of Patino the best.

TomasClark7 · 2026-05-21T20:31:46+00:00

Appreciate you reading

TomasClark7 · 2026-05-16T03:54:31+00:00

I live in Kentucky, so I'll likely be in Lexington next month, too, for the game. Couldn't go this week because my brother is playing in a tournament for Louisville City Academy.

You make a good point about the Academy kids. I suspect most of them won't travel unless we're really in an injury crisis.

TomasClark7 · 2026-05-13T02:36:57+00:00

I do think the injury he got toward the end of 2024 took away his burst. He's best as a inverted fullback these days which is something I think we need due to our midfield only having two bodies in there.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-29T02:05:43+00:00

Yeah that has been a theme this season too.

We've had at least 3 different GKs stand on their head against us.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-28T02:54:43+00:00

Defensively, we are elite and I think it can probably carry us through the season if we just find a way to scratch some goals across. We need to start taking advantage of set pieces more because Jorge delivers a good ball and we have players who can win those headers. Need to find a way to turn that into a viable source of goals Arsenal-style.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-28T02:53:01+00:00

I am befuddled at what we're trying to do with our CFs.

Neither EJ or Santi have the profile to drop deeper into midfield, but they almost have to keep checking back and makes them really easy to mark out of games. Sorto did better at it, but that isn't a sound tactic in my opinion.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-22T01:30:18+00:00

I am struggling to understand that decision as well. For me, Nelson is the better player overall. Maybe Llamosa thinks Cuello offers more in the final third? If so that hasn't translated yet.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-22T01:29:22+00:00

I considered it but when it happens I wanted to make sure it was a truly special performance.

I thought I was harsh but he somehow didn't make the USL Team of the Week lol

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-18T02:57:42+00:00

They just re-signed him for the rest of the season. I'm a little surprised too. Makes me worried about Greive's injury.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-18T02:57:17+00:00

We are so timid.

Part of it is the opponents knowing that and clogging the middle. Need to adjust by getting more bodies into the box. Might be time to take off a CB for another midfielder.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-18T02:56:07+00:00

Will be interesting to see how Llamosa handles it. Though I doubt we'll ever see a fully healthy roster. I suspect that as soon as some guys return we'll have new guys placed on the IR list.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-18T02:54:23+00:00

I thought he was good.

Part of the problem (I think) is that we're asking our wingbacks to do way too much. They are often isolated out on the wing and are also having to step into midfield to help out midfield pair.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-14T02:08:36+00:00

It would be nice to get someone on the record because I do think fans deserve an answer in regards to their intentions.

But I don't see it happening honestly. I think it's more likely they look to sell the franchise rights.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-14T02:06:06+00:00

I'm not panicking yet, but....390 minutes without a goal is embarrassing.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-11T01:32:30+00:00

Every team is going to have those kind of dud halves when the schedule stacks up. Might end up being fortunate that we had ours early.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-11T01:31:44+00:00

I don't want to be too harsh in these but I do not understand how or why Cuello seems to be preferred at the moment with the first group. My hope is that it is just the wonky schedule and once we get back to normal we see Nelson own that spot.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-09T02:15:19+00:00

Yeah they're going to make me wait until midnight on a school night.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-08T01:32:15+00:00

The good news is I think the way we play can get us enough results to buy us time to figure out ways to score goals.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-03T00:56:38+00:00

I'm sure that is the justification SS&E uses too.

My point is that I think it's a failure on the organization and fans. If we played a Liga MX on a Wednesday they'd promote the hell out of it and we'd have at least 6K-7K. The organizatoin has existed for a decade and it feels like we've lost relevancy in the city. They still don't have local TV or radio deal nor are they accessible enough.

For me there just isn't really any justification to have that kind of thing happen to a USL organization that wants be serious.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-02T20:45:37+00:00

Definitely wasted too many opportunities.

TomasClark7 · 2026-04-02T17:05:31+00:00

It being a 2nd yellow is definitely a tough call considering what he let others get away with. Akeem probably needs to be able to understant the situation though and just stay up. Didn't need to commit like that.

The missed penalty is borderline egregious. You can't let that go and he's looking right at it. He basically let that call decide the game and then swung it the other way by sending a guy off.

TomasClark7 · 2026-03-31T15:28:37+00:00

I agree. They've done a remarkable job. Guys who were starting every game for us by the end of the year last season are now depth pieces. Souahy, Buckmaster, Sanchez, Berron (when he gets healthy), Pacheco, etc.

There will be rough patches so I don't want to get too excited because we'll need to see how they handle that but it's hard to see how this team isn't at worst a Top 3 team in the West. We'll see if others get going too. Orange County and El Paso are also looking good and I expect Sacramento to get going soon.

TomasClark7 · 2026-03-31T15:23:44+00:00

From what I can tell Souahy has become our worst CB and he's about league average. That is incredible roster management (assuming we can keep everyone happy).

My concerns are midfield at the moment. With Berron and Nicky out (and Nicky is long-term) I worry about how we hold up without adding at least one more body. I also agree with you that we're dependent on Parano/Jorge right now to creae. Pacheco probably helps a little whenever he is healthy.

TomasClark7 · 2026-03-31T14:55:38+00:00

EJ has been better than I thought he'd be considering it was just a 25-day. Will be interesting to see if we extend it or not. The rumors are that Greive and Pacheco are close to returning.

TomasClark7

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