Matches between these two are always fiery affairs. Phoenix and Sacramento just straight up hate each other. This was the first match between the two sides since the wild match in last year's conference finals that saw Emil Cuello score a stoppage time winner to snatch the win for Phoenix. Rodrigo Lopezx got the goal on the night for Sacramento, but his effort was equalized by Cabral.

The defending champions. Phoenix Rising have gone through a couple of changes since lifting the trophy in penalty kicks against Charleston. The main one being a change in coach. Juan Guerra left the side after last season to pursue a position in MLS and has been replaced by Danny Stone. So far the manager has led the team to be middle of the pack in the Western Conference. They got 3 wins on the season so far including a win last time around, winning away against Rhode Island. The side has also experience a lot of roster turnover, especially looking at the departure of Danny Trejo in the offseason. But they have brought in a lot of young talent, keep an eye out on Giulio Doratiotto, the product coming out of the Juventus academy.

Sacramento still remained as the last unbeaten team in the Western Conference, after a 3-1 win while hosting Loudoun. Russell Cicerone opened the scoring on the night but it was a brace from Kieran Philips that got the 3 points for the Republic. Will be curious to see is Philips earned more minutes and how Coach Briggs will rotate this squad with an Open Cup fixture midweek.

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(Photo courtesy of Phoenix Rising FC)