USL Pro title on the line as Sacramento and Harrisburg do battle

Titles are not given, they are earned. It takes a collective effort, a little luck, and one or two key plays to determine who gets champagne poured on their head and who goes home empty handed. On Saturday evening, the Harrisburg City Islanders and Sacramento Republic FC will work to earn the the USL Pro title.

*cue USL Pro Title montage*

Location? Bonney Field, Sacramento, CA

When? 10:30pm EST

TV? Youtube! All USL Pro matches are available on the league’s YouTube channel.

Head-to-head in 2014: It is kind of fitting that these two teams would meet in the final given that these two clubs met in Sacramento’s home opener. The Islanders topped Sacramento that day with goals by midfielder Robbie Derschang and forward Morgan Langley.

Outlook: On paper this looks like a lopsided match-up. The Republic (17-7-4, 55 points) finished second in USL Pro this season, while the Islanders (10-11-7, 37 points) barely made the playoffs. But this is a different Islanders team. Led by midfielder and captain Jason Pelletier, the Islanders shocked number one seed Orlando City SC two weeks ago and last week defeated the Richmond Kickers to head to their second USL Pro Championship.

In the first match between these two clubs, the Islanders were able to win by limiting Republic midfielder Rodrigo Lopez’s influence on the match. The former Chivas USA midfielder is the field general for the Republic, helping find his teammates in open space and occasionally putting a shot on target (10 goals in 2014). Islanders defender Richie Marquez will need to move into open space to clog up any openings that the Republic might find. Republic forward Thomas Stewart scored 11 goals in 2014, which placed for fifth-highest in USL Pro.

But the key for this match will be if the Islanders can open up one of the league’s toughest defenses. Sacramento allowed just twenty-eight goals this season, which was the second-lowest in USL Pro (Orlando City was first with twenty-four). USL Pro Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Jake Gleeson had a Goals Against Average of .88, which is second-lowest in the league. Gleeson, who played earlier in the week with the Portland Timbers in their CONCACAF Champions League match, has helped build a strong defense for the Republic in just their first season.

Harrisburg do have plenty of options on the attacking end.  Although the club does not have a prototypical talisman up front, over four players have at least goals with the Islanders this season (Langley, Derschang, midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin, and forward Clesio Baque). Head coach Bill Becher’s attack emphasizes openness and getting defenders outside of the box. USL Pro Defender of the Year Nemanja Vukovic will need to maintain cohesion and order along the back four to isolate the Islanders attack.

In terms of title matches, this one should be very entertaining. Both clubs can play an aggressive, up-tempo style of football. But what will be interesting to see is if Harrisburg goes down how they will respond. All season Sacramento has built themselves as a squad that wants to be playing in MLS and playing at a higher level. Harris burg has shown throughout the playoffs that they are a club that can punch above their weight. They will need to do it again to get past Sacramento.