SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For a fourth consecutive season Sacramento Republic FC has reached the USL Cup Playoffs, having never missed the postseason in club history. But after coming in as the top seed in the Western Conference in 2016 and getting eliminated in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, Republic FC has ended up on the opposite end of the No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup to open this year's playoff campaign, and as a result will hit the road for the first time in the playoffs in club history. After two successive early exits on home turf, this year Sacramento will be hoping to spring some upsets on a run to a second title.

2017 USL Cup Playoffs: Quarterfinal matchup:
No. 1 Real Monarchs SLC vs. No. 8 Sacramento Republic FC – Friday, Oct. 20, 10 p.m. ET, Rio Tinto Stadium

2017 USL regular season:
Records:
Overall: 13-12-7 (46 points) | Home: 8-4-4 (28 points) | Road: 5-8-3 (18 points)

Goals For: 45 | Goals Against: 43

Leaders:
Goals: 1. Villyan Bijev 9; 2. Sammy Ochoa 8; 3. Trevin Caesar 7; 4. Tyler Blackwood 6

Assists: 1.(tie) Sammy Ochoa, James Kiffe 6; 3. Wilson Kneeshaw 5; 4. Danny Barrera 4

Saves: 1. Evan Newton 68; 2. Dominik Jakubek 13

Clinched its postseason … Oct. 7, thanks to Reno 1868 FC’s 4-1 win against Orange County FC, despite Republic FC's own 1-0 loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Clinched the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference … Oct. 15, after OKC Energy FC’s 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC 2.

Defining moment: Facing a Phoenix Rising FC side on a 12-game undefeated streak when it arrived at Papa Murphy's Park on Sept. 30, Sacramento had was coming off back-to-back defeats as its up-and-down season had taken another dip. Despite the form coming in, however, Sacramento took a 2-0 win as goals by Emrah Klimenta and Agustin Cazarez snapped Phoenix's streak, and earned a win that ended up proving crucial to Republic FC's playoff bid.

Three keys to a championship run:
1. Production From Sammy Ochoa: An offseason arrival from Tulsa Roughnecks FC, Sammy Ochoa has been a key player for Sacramento in his first year at the club, sitting second in goals with eight and tied for the team-lead with six assists. The experienced forward has proven USL success over his four years in the league with 35 tallies in the USL regular season, but this will be only Ochoa's second trip to the postseason in the league. Ochoa had three goals in three games in October, including a brace in the club's final game of the regular season on Saturday against Reno 1868 FC. If the veteran forward can carry that form forward, Sacramento's chances will rise proportionally.

2. Accuracy On The Center: If Republic FC is to make a charge to its second USL Cup controlling the tempo of the game through possession will be key in each of the matches. Sacramento could achieve that through its impressive passing accuracy, with an 81.5 percent success rate putting it second in the league as the likes of league-leader in passes Jeremy Hall and Agustin Cazarez have helped the side link possession well through the midfield for much of the season. Sacramento has averaged 54.18 percent possession across the regular season, good for fifth in USL and second in the Western Conference.

3. Playoff Experience: Republic FC comes into the USL Cup Playoffs as the most experienced playoff team in the field in the Western Conference. With five of the teams in the Western Conference field making their first appearances in the postseason that experience could prove vital with the added pressure the league's single-elimination format can pose. Captain Emrah Klimenta and James Kiffe were both part of the team when it claimed the USL Cup three years ago and players like goalkeeper Evan Newton and midfielder Jeremy Hall bring extensive experience. With a number of players from last year's squad having faced the pressure of being the No. 1-seed going into the postseason, having the opportunity to go on the road as the underdog could provide a mental boost for the squad.

QUOTABLE:
“This atmosphere felt like a playoff match with the support [from the fans]. The boys did the job and hopefully we can take a lot of belief from this performance. This was a true Republic performance.” Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Paul Buckle after the side's victory against Phoenix Rising FC on Sept. 30.