Welcome to the Classic Championship Game of the Day, where today we return to a key game from late in the 2019 regular season when playoff contenders Sacramento Republic FC and EL Paso Locomotive FC squared off at Papa Murphy’s Park for a game that was full of late drama.

Republic FC was in a solid position to return to the postseason for a sixth consecutive season, but still had a shot at taking a top-four finish at the end of the season while sitting in a logjam in the middle of the standings. Sacramento’s position had been boosted by a stellar run of recent form that had seen the side win three of its previous four outings to leave it in fifth place – one point behind Orange County SC – going into another home contest.

Things were a little more uncertain for El Paso, which had the odds in its favor of reaching the postseason in its inaugural season but still sat in 10th place in the Western Conference standings as it arrived in Sacramento. Locomotive FC was coming off a morale-boosting 2-0 victory at home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC that saw Bryam Rebellon and Alexy Bosetti find the net, but holding games in hand on the teams around the playoff line it was in need of a positive run of form to ensure a place in the playoffs.

The scene is set, so sit back, relax and enjoy a classic clash from the Championship’s history.