Today, USL Championship announced the 2026 All-League Teams. Republic FC was represented twice among the top players from the season, with midfielder Memo Rodriguez earning a spot on the All-League First Team and defender Lee Desmond named to the All-League Second Team.
“Memo and Lee have been invaluable to our success this year – both on and off the pitch – and we’re incredibly proud to see them deservedly recognized as All-League players,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Tim Holt. “Both play an important role in setting the standard for our club, and their leadership remains key as we continue our postseason push.”
Rodriguez led the league’s midfielder corps with 16 goal contributions and played a key role in Sacramento’s stellar form in the second half of the campaign. After suffering an injury early in the season, he worked his way back into form and scored his first goal for Republic FC on July 25. A week later, he recorded three assists in a 5-0 win over Sporting Club Jacksonville.
In Week 30, Memo led the Indomitable Club past New Mexico United with a two-goal, one-assist performance that earned him Player of the Week honors. He then went on to play a massive part in Republic FC’s 13-game undefeated streak to close out the regular season, posting nine goal contributions in the final six matches. He earned recognition consistently throughout the year as a six-time Team of the Week honoree and finalist for October Player of the Month.
Team Captain Desmond has earned his first selection to the All-League Second Team after posting his best single-season performance since joining Republic FC in 2022. The 31-year-old centerback was on the pitch for all but 45 minutes of the regular season and led the team with 150 clearances and 159 duels won, while maintaining an 84% passing accuracy. With Desmond anchoring the backline, Sacramento posted double-digit clean sheets for the fifth consecutive year and conceded just 28 goals to lead the Western Conference. He also contributed on the other end of the pitch with two goals, including one in his monumental 400th career appearance on August 1.
Undefeated in its last 15 matches and riding a four-game win streak, Republic FC now heads out on the road to battle for its first trophy of the season: the Western Conference Championship. The club will take on first-seed New Mexico United at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque on Sunday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m. PT. Details about the club’s official watch party will be announced soon.
