SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fifth-place Sacramento Republic FC plays host to fourth-place Reno 1868 FC on Saturday night at Papa Murphy’s Park as the regional rivals square off in a key game in the race for homefield advantage in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2xcabqq | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2ok5n1B | Broadcast: CW-31 (SAC)

Sacramento Republic FC news and notes

• Current record: 10-6-4, 34pts

• Sacramento claimed a 1-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 last Sunday afternoon at Providence Park as Wilson Kneeshaw’s early goal proved the difference.

• The victory extended Sacramento’s undefeated streak to seven games, with Reno the last side to take victory against Republic FC on June 10.

• Sacramento has recorded three consecutive shutouts, which has doubled the team’s overall total for the season to six.

• Republic FC defender James Kiffe has completed 30 dribbles this season, putting him tied for fifth in the league that category.

Reno 1868 FC news and notes

• Current record: 10-5-6, 36pts

• Reno earned a 2-0 victory against San Antonio FC last Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field to remain in fourth in the Western Conference.

• Luis Felipe Fernandes and Brian Brown scored in either side as 1868 FC became just the second side to defeat SAFC in league action this season.

• Reno became the first team to pass 50 goals in the regular season in the USL with its win against SAFC, and also became the first professional team in North America to reach the mark in 2017.

• Rookie Chris Wehan is tied for the league-lead with eight assists, and has made 47 key passes this season, also a league-high.

Series Notes

• Reno took a 2-0 victory when the teams first met in the league this season, but Sacramento took a 2-0 victory at Papa Murphy’s Park in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in June.

Squads

• Sacramento – GK: Dominik Jakubek, Evan Newton; D: Peter McGlynn, Carlos Rodriguez, Chris Christian, James Kiffe, Emrah Klimenta, Elliott Hord; M: Agustin Cazarez, Gabe Gissie, Lamin Suma, Adam Moffatt, Tyler Blackwood, Roberto Hategan, Jeremy Hall, Hayden Partain, Quincy Butler; F: Wilson Kneeshaw, Harry Williams, Sammy Ochoa, Trevin Caesar, Christian Chaney, Matthew Wiesenfarth

• Reno – GK: Russ Klaybough, Matt Bersano, Andrew Tarbell; D: Thomas Janjigian, Jimmy Ockford, Brent Richards, Brenton Griffiths, Jordan Murrell, Kip Colvey; M: Marc Pelosi, Junior Burgos, Riley Hanley, Anibal Echeverria, Chris Wehan, Lindo Mfeka, Matt LaGrassa, Seth Casiple, Luis Felipe Fernandes, Nick von Niederhausern, Jackson Yueill, Darwin Espinal, Jordan Roberts; F: Brian Brown, Antoine Hoppenot, Dane Kelly, Boxi Yomba, Mackenzie Pridham

Discipline

• Sacramento – Accumulation warning: Trevin Caesar, Chris Christian, Jeremy Hall

• Reno – Accumulation warning: Jordan Murrell, Lindo Mfeka

Officials

• REF: CHIPALO STREET

• AR1: Andrew Hanks

• AR2: Brandon Chapman

• 4TH: Alex Del Angel Jr

Game hashtag:

• #SACvRNO

Twitter social handles

• Sacramento Republic FC – @SacRepublicFC

• Reno 1868 FC – @Reno1868FC