Sacramento Republic FC face National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club Sacramento Gold FC this Wednesday, Feb. 22 at American River College. Kickoff is 7 p.m. This will be the first meeting between the two sides and the first open preseason friendly for Republic FC in 2017.
In anticipation of Wednesday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
Sacramento Republic FC face National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club Sacramento Gold FC this Wednesday, Feb. 22 at American River College. Kickoff is 7 p.m. This will be the first meeting between the two sides and the first open preseason friendly for Republic FC in 2017.
In anticipation of Wednesday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
League
The Gold plays in the National Premier Soccer League, who sits in the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The NPSL is one of four amateur leagues that participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the NPSL receiving eight automatic berths in the first round.
In 2017, the NPSL will have 97 teams playing across 14 conferences. There are no age restrictions in the NPSL, meaning that a roster within the league can be a mix of experienced players with young up-and-comers, such as collegiate athletes. The NPSL season runs March through July.
History
Sacramento Gold FC was founded in 2009 by local sports promoter and Mexican-American Sports Hall of Fame inductee Richard Novoa. The club hired Ruben Mora, another Mexican-American Sports Hall of Fame inductee, as head coach and the club played their first season in the NPSL in 2010.
During its inaugural year, the Gold’s run in the league paralleled what Republic FC did in the USL in 2014. The Gold earned a 7-2-1 record and claimed the top spot in the Northwest Division and a spot in the playoffs. The Gold powered their way through playoffs all the way to the final where the club clinched the 2010 NPSL National Championship in their first year.
The Gold pride themselves on having a roster made up mostly of homegrown players, with many of the Gold players either natives of the Sacramento region or collegiate players in area schools such as Sacramento State and UC Davis. Current Republic FC goalkeeper and Lodi native Dominik Jakubek was a member of the Gold for two years before joining Republic FC in their inaugural year.
Although the Gold’s match against Republic FC will be played at American River College, the Gold play their league home matches at Capital Christian High School.
2016 Recap
Last season the Gold played in their second ever U.S. Open Cup, hosting a first-round match after earning their qualification in 2015. The club posted their first ever U.S. Open Cup win by defeating PDL club Burlingame Dragons 3-1. However, the Gold’s run in the cup would be short-lived, as the club bowed out after losing their match to La Maquina in the second round.
In league, the Gold missed the playoffs for only the second time in their history, with the club unable to rally at the end of the season, conceding defeat in five of their last seven matches. The club will hope to regain a place at the top of the Golden Gate Conference when they kick off their 2017 NPSL season on Mar. 25 against Sonoma County Sol. To see the full 2017 schedule for the Gold, click here.
Wednesday’s Match
Wednesday’s match between Sacramento Republic FC and Sacramento Gold FC will kick off at 7 p.m. at American River College. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here. There will be no broadcast available but you can follow live updates via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or by using #SACvSAC.
League
The Gold plays in the National Premier Soccer League, who sits in the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The NPSL is one of four amateur leagues that participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the NPSL receiving eight automatic berths in the first round.
In 2017, the NPSL will have 97 teams playing across 14 conferences. There are no age restrictions in the NPSL, meaning that a roster within the league can be a mix of experienced players with young up-and-comers, such as collegiate athletes. The NPSL season runs March through July.
History
Sacramento Gold FC was founded in 2009 by local sports promoter and Mexican-American Sports Hall of Fame inductee Richard Novoa. The club hired Ruben Mora, another Mexican-American Sports Hall of Fame inductee, as head coach and the club played their first season in the NPSL in 2010.
During its inaugural year, the Gold’s run in the league paralleled what Republic FC did in the USL in 2014. The Gold earned a 7-2-1 record and claimed the top spot in the Northwest Division and a spot in the playoffs. The Gold powered their way through playoffs all the way to the final where the club clinched the 2010 NPSL National Championship in their first year.
The Gold pride themselves on having a roster made up mostly of homegrown players, with many of the Gold players either natives of the Sacramento region or collegiate players in area schools such as Sacramento State and UC Davis. Current Republic FC goalkeeper and Lodi native Dominik Jakubek was a member of the Gold for two years before joining Republic FC in their inaugural year.
Although the Gold’s match against Republic FC will be played at American River College, the Gold play their league home matches at Capital Christian High School.
2016 Recap
Last season the Gold played in their second ever U.S. Open Cup, hosting a first-round match after earning their qualification in 2015. The club posted their first ever U.S. Open Cup win by defeating PDL club Burlingame Dragons 3-1. However, the Gold’s run in the cup would be short-lived, as the club bowed out after losing their match to La Maquina in the second round.
In league, the Gold missed the playoffs for only the second time in their history, with the club unable to rally at the end of the season, conceding defeat in five of their last seven matches. The club will hope to regain a place at the top of the Golden Gate Conference when they kick off their 2017 NPSL season on Mar. 25 against Sonoma County Sol. To see the full 2017 schedule for the Gold, click here.
Wednesday’s Match
Wednesday’s match between Sacramento Republic FC and Sacramento Gold FC will kick off at 7 p.m. at American River College. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here. There will be no broadcast available but you can follow live updates via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or by using #SACvSAC.
