Sacramento, Calif. – Ahead of the start of the postseason, the USL has opened the fan vote for the 2026 Best Western Hometown Heroes Award. For the second straight year, Republic FC is on the ballot. This year’s club nominee is Matt Briseno, a day-one season ticket holder whose lifelong love of soccer has fueled years of service, inclusion, and connection throughout the Sacramento region. Voting is open now through 9:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, November 4 at USLChampionship.com.
“Not only is this nomination exciting, it’s also humbling and a big honor,” said Briseno. “The catalyst of my ride to Colorado was to bring attention to the Unified Team and the athletes. This has done that well beyond what I thought was possible. I hope this inspires others to not only support the SRFC Unified team, but the other Unified teams within USL.”
“Matt embodies the pride, passion, and community spirit that define our club and city,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Tim Holt. “The way he shows up for his teammates and uses his love of soccer to bring people together reflects who we are as a club and what makes this community so special. We’re proud to have Matt represent Republic FC and are honored to celebrate his impact.”
“Matt Briseno is the absolute heart and soul of our Sacramento Republic FC Unified Team,” said Tim Dickson, Senior Vice President, Sacramento of Special Olympics Northern California. “As team captain, he doesn’t just lead on the pitch; he inspires everyone around him by embodying the true spirit of inclusion, dedication, and unity. From his fierce advocacy for our Special Olympics athletes to his mind-boggling 1,364-mile bicycle ride to fundraise for his teammates, Matt consistently goes the extra mile—literally and figuratively—for this club and this community. Sacramento is incredibly proud to call him our own, and he is the definition of a Hometown Hero.”
Briseno’s nomination video has already garnered nearly 3 million views online, highlighting a remarkable story of going the extra mile for the game and the people who make it special. A member of the Republic FC Unified Team since 2024, Briseno has served as Team Captain for the past two years. The team is a partnership between Republic FC and Special Olympics Northern California that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete side by side. Through his leadership, Matt embodies the values of inclusion, friendship, and teamwork, finding joy in watching his teammates grow their love for the game while developing valuable life skills.
But his commitment to the club extends well beyond the pitch. Building on his personal tradition of riding his bike to the First Team’s away matches, Briseno took it one step further earlier this May as he completed a 1,300-mile bike journey to Colorado Springs. The three-week trek through mountainous terrain and extreme elements – Matt’s longest and most difficult ride yet – was about more than distance. He raised over $3,300 for the Unified Team, helping to offset program costs and support opportunities for athletes to participate and compete.
Fans can watch Briseno’s story and participate in the Hometown Heroes Award fan vote at USLChampionship.com. To learn more about the Unified Team, visit SacRepublicFC.com/UnifiedTeam.
