Sacramento Republic hammers Red Bulls II

Mark Briggs finally had something to smile about Saturday night.

The Sacramento Republic coach has bit his lip and issued cagey criticism for months as his team, which started the year with 10 new players, struggled to gel under Brigg’s new system.

Saturday, the Quails put it together. Sacramento Republic snapped a nearly two-month scoreless streak at home Saturday night, pounding in three first-half goals en route to a 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls II.

It was the first home win since May 12. It came on the heels of a road win and a tie as Sacramento seems to have shaken off a poor start to the season.

“Gaining points, especially on the road in two difficult places breeds confidence,” Briggs said. “But then you come back home and you’re still got that little of, like you just said, get that monkey off your back. ...

“The fans have seen glimpses of what this group’s capable of. It’s great, and I thought the fans were exceptional as always. They were loud, they were behind us. We have to make this place a fortress and we all have to do that — players, staff, fans, everybody.”

For the first time in a long time, a Republic game felt like a party. Republic hadn’t scored at home since June 5 and they were 24th in scoring in the USL entering the game..

The rain of goals started in the 17th minute, when Darek Formella sailed a beautiful low corner kick in to Luis Felipe Rodrigues, who tucked it into the right side of the goal. Fans celebrated by popping off smoke; “Chelsea Dagger” by the Frotelli’s blasted over the sound system and Briggs clapped on the sideline.

The celebration repeated in the 22nd minute, when Rodrigues knocked a pass to Formella inside the New York penalty box. Formella bounced it right back to Rodrigues, who tucked in his second goal of the night.