While many of Sacramento Republic FC’s players have spent the past month cheering on teams such as the United States, Colombia and Mexico in Copa America, Republic FC’s European players are looking forward to the knockout stage of 2016 UEFA European Championship.
Four Republic FC players—Thomas Stewart, Derek Foran, Harry Williams and Daniel Trickett-Smith—are from countries that advanced to the knockout stages of this year’s Euros.
“It’s great to see competitive international football again like Euros and Copa,” said Stewart. “The Euros is more of a pennant for us.”
“It’s a bit different watching it in America,” added Trickett-Smith. “But so far I’m really enjoying it.”
While many of Sacramento Republic FC’s players have spent the past month cheering on teams such as the United States, Colombia and Mexico in Copa America, Republic FC’s European players are looking forward to the knockout stage of 2016 UEFA European Championship.
Four Republic FC players—Thomas Stewart, Derek Foran, Harry Williams and Daniel Trickett-Smith—are from countries that advanced to the knockout stages of this year’s Euros.
“It’s great to see competitive international football again like Euros and Copa,” said Stewart. “The Euros is more of a pennant for us.”
“It’s a bit different watching it in America,” added Trickett-Smith. “But so far I’m really enjoying it.”
Stewart’s native Northern Ireland faces off against Wales on Saturday morning, while Foran’s home country, Ireland, will play France on Sunday. Lastly, Williams and Trickett-Smith are eagerly planning on cheering for England as they square off against Iceland on Monday.
For Stewart, his ties to Northern Ireland extend past just his home country roots. Northern Ireland midfielder Naill McGinn, who scored a goal against Ukraine in group play, is Stewart’s former teammate. The pair played together on the youth national level with Northern Ireland’s U23 team in 2007-2008 and later were teammates from 2008 to 2009 at Derry City, a club in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division.
“Seeing Northern Ireland is a bit more for me, so enjoy that,” said Stewart. “I like to see good football and see more players develop. Obviously whenever some players have good performances, they’ll make some transfers out of it. So that’s what I’m really looking forward to seeing who comes out of it and to what team.”
Two more Northern Ireland players also have made brief appearances in Sacramento. Defender Chris Baird and Gareth McAuley both were players for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in 2014. Republic FC hosted two international friendlies against West Brom during July of the club’s inaugural season.
Meanwhile, Republic FC defender Derek Foran has endured early mornings to root on the Republic of Ireland’s national team, which is lead by captain John O’Shea, who pulled off a dramatic win against Italy to reach the round of 16 the Euros.
O’Shea is another player in this year’s UEFA European Championship that has made an appearance at Bonney Field. The defender is the current captain for English Premier League side Sunderland AFC, who played two friendlies at Bonney Field—one against Republic FC another against Liga MX side CF Pachuca—in 2015.
“I’m not going to hold my breath, but I do think an underdog will win the tournament,” said Foran about his country’s chances of winning the tournament.
Stewart’s native Northern Ireland faces off against Wales on Saturday morning, while Foran’s home country, Ireland, will play France on Sunday. Lastly, Williams and Trickett-Smith are eagerly planning on cheering for England as they square off against Iceland on Monday.
For Stewart, his ties to Northern Ireland extend past just his home country roots. Northern Ireland midfielder Naill McGinn, who scored a goal against Ukraine in group play, is Stewart’s former teammate. The pair played together on the youth national level with Northern Ireland’s U23 team in 2007-2008 and later were teammates from 2008 to 2009 at Derry City, a club in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division.
“Seeing Northern Ireland is a bit more for me, so enjoy that,” said Stewart. “I like to see good football and see more players develop. Obviously whenever some players have good performances, they’ll make some transfers out of it. So that’s what I’m really looking forward to seeing who comes out of it and to what team.”
Two more Northern Ireland players also have made brief appearances in Sacramento. Defender Chris Baird and Gareth McAuley both were players for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in 2014. Republic FC hosted two international friendlies against West Brom during July of the club’s inaugural season.
Meanwhile, Republic FC defender Derek Foran has endured early mornings to root on the Republic of Ireland’s national team, which is lead by captain John O’Shea, who pulled off a dramatic win against Italy to reach the round of 16 the Euros.
O’Shea is another player in this year’s UEFA European Championship that has made an appearance at Bonney Field. The defender is the current captain for English Premier League side Sunderland AFC, who played two friendlies at Bonney Field—one against Republic FC another against Liga MX side CF Pachuca—in 2015.
“I’m not going to hold my breath, but I do think an underdog will win the tournament,” said Foran about his country’s chances of winning the tournament.
Lastly, Republic FC youngsters Williams and Trickett-Smith are enjoying the new experience of watching the UEFA European Championship outside of England. This is not only the English duo’s first season playing the beautiful game stateside, but the first summer they are not in Europe for the tournament.
“It’s weird because of the time difference as well, obviously. I’m used to watching it at home with my family and friends or watching it at the pub like that,” said Williams “It’s nice to have another English lad to watch it with, so I’m enjoying that.”
However, like most fans, Republic FC players, while they are exciting to root for their home countries, are just excited to enjoy the tournament.
“I’m looking forward to see how far we, [England] can go and seeing some attacking football,” said Williams.
Northern Ireland is the first country back in action in the round of sixteen and will face Wales at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland plays France Sunday at 6 a.m., while England will then play Iceland at noon on Monday.
For fans wishing to catch the Ireland vs France match on Sunday, de Vere’s Irish Pub in down Sacramento will be opening early exclusively for the occasion.
“I’m just looking forward to a good game, to be honest, if I’m getting up at six in the morning,” said Foran.
Lastly, Republic FC youngsters Williams and Trickett-Smith are enjoying the new experience of watching the UEFA European Championship outside of England. This is not only the English duo’s first season playing the beautiful game stateside, but the first summer they are not in Europe for the tournament.
“It’s weird because of the time difference as well, obviously. I’m used to watching it at home with my family and friends or watching it at the pub like that,” said Williams “It’s nice to have another English lad to watch it with, so I’m enjoying that.”
However, like most fans, Republic FC players, while they are exciting to root for their home countries, are just excited to enjoy the tournament.
“I’m looking forward to see how far we, [England] can go and seeing some attacking football,” said Williams.
Northern Ireland is the first country back in action in the round of sixteen and will face Wales at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland plays France Sunday at 6 a.m., while England will then play Iceland at noon on Monday.
For fans wishing to catch the Ireland vs France match on Sunday, de Vere’s Irish Pub in down Sacramento will be opening early exclusively for the occasion.
“I’m just looking forward to a good game, to be honest, if I’m getting up at six in the morning,” said Foran.
