Sacramento Republic FC romped to a 5-2 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium in the East Bay, taking revenge for their home loss to Roots in June to split the season series while remaining undefeated on the road so far this campaign.

Here’s what we took away from another thrilling contest between the NorCal rivals as Sacramento posted its first five-goal display in more than a year.

1. KIERAN PHILLIPS STEPS TO THE FORE

Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs had a big call to make in his lineup and opted to pair Kieran Phillips with Cristian Parano over Trevor Amann for the side’s main attacking pairing. Within five minutes, the decision was proven correct as Phillips delivered a beautifully taken goal to get the visitors on track.

There was fault on Oakland for the goal with a terrible giveaway that gave the English forward space to turn into, but the way Phillips baited a top center back in Neveal Hackshaw as he attempted to cover, keeping him off balance before a quick step for a left-footed finish past advancing goalkeeper Tim Syrel was exemplary. Phillips added another within a minute of the start of the second half for his second brace of the season, but his ability to change speeds showed why he’s currently the first choice in Republic FC’s attack.

2. MAKING A PHYSICAL IMPRESSION

Republic FC’s first three-goal performance in a first half this season was predicated on energy, both with and without the ball. When the side was in possession, Nick Ross and Parano were both key as they connected well alongside Jack Gurr in support on the right flank. Parano and Ross each provided assists, with Parano’s to set up Ross’ goal late in the first half an example of the sort of soccer we’ve been hoping to see from Republic FC all season.

Sacramento’s energy also made it remarkably difficult for Oakland to get anything going in the first half, whether by fair means or foul. Ross, Gurr and Luis Felipe Fernandes were impressive in winning possession – Ross led the side with 5 of 5 tackles won, while Fernandes won 10 of 15 duels – but they were perfectly fine with simply breaking up play to keep the game on their terms. Sacramento’s 17 first-half fouls were the most in a first half by a team in the Championship this season and showed the edge the side is capable of alongside its quality.

3. ROOTS RALLY, HAVE POTENTIAL PLAN

Oakland Roots SC knew it needed to change things dramatically trailing by three goals and halftime and could have done without another defensive miscue resulting in a fourth goal for Republic FC within a minute of the second half. While the side shipped five goals for a second consecutive outing, however, the side’s overall play after the break offered hope things aren’t going fully in the wrong direction for interim Head Coach Gavin Glinton.

Reintroducing Camden Riley into midfield and replacing him with Gagi Margvelashvili alongside Neveal Hackshaw on the back line offered more bite for the hosts after the break – Riley ended up leading Roots winning 4 of 4 tackles – while offering more support for Johnny Rodriguez with the introduction of Dom Dwyer ended up taking attention away from Roots’ leading scorer which proved invaluable in his two-goal performance. As close as the Western Conference playoff positions are right now with five points separating third and ninth place, Oakland can still get back on track despite this defeat.