
Even before Sacramento Republic FC played the inaugural USL match at Hughes Stadium on April 26, 2014, their passion, drive and success has been rooted in their integration into the Sacramento community at large.
The club embodied the principles of their name, “republic,” long before it was ever placed on the crest. From engaging fans on when choosing the club’s colors and crest design, setting attendance records and launching the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund, Republic FC have not only been emerged a flagship team in the USL, but also an integral part of the community, especially the Sacramento soccer community.
However, from the earliest days of the club Co-Founders Warren Smith and Joe Wagoner and Academy Manager Jeremy Field knew that the relationship with local youth clubs and teams would be one of challenging and vital relationships that would be crucial to Republic FC’s growth and success.
“Sacramento is blessed to have such a great group of soccer clubs and we feel blessed to be working with them,” said Republic FC Co-Founder and President Warren Smith.
From Bonney Field’s club seating sections —which offer local youth and adult soccer clubs the chance to attend Republic FC matches—to ball kids to developing first team players to the success of Republic FC’s Academy, youth clubs have been an integral part of the club’s success both on and off the pitch.
While Republic FC leadership began to build out their club partnership and seating program, a vision was set to provide a place that the nearly 11,000 regional youth clubs could gather, set aside their on-the-pitch competitiveness and celebrate the beautiful game. As the city’s rivers become a confluence, so to would its youth soccer clubs. Republic FC matches became a place for the youth clubs to cheer and chant together in exclusive seating sections.
As a result, these local soccer clubs have been a critical part of Republic FC’s success off the pitch, especially with the club’s steady attendance. The USL club set attendance records in 2014 and 2015, which raised the overall attendance of USL by 25 percent or more.
Currently, more than 15 percent of Republic FC’s season tickets are in Bonney Field’s club seating, sections reserved as a gathering place for the region’s youth players. These local clubs crests are displayed with pride above their sections no different than Republic FC’s own crest.
As a whole, more than fifty youth soccer teams, clubs and organizations from the Sacramento region participate in the Club Partnerships program. Additionally, up to 30 different clubs and teams attend any given Republic FC home match at Bonney Field as part of group nights and other team bonding activities.
Even before Sacramento Republic FC played the inaugural USL match at Hughes Stadium on April 26, 2014, their passion, drive and success has been rooted in their integration into the Sacramento community at large.
The club embodied the principles of their name, “republic,” long before it was ever placed on the crest. From engaging fans on when choosing the club’s colors and crest design, setting attendance records and launching the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund, Republic FC have not only been emerged a flagship team in the USL, but also an integral part of the community, especially the Sacramento soccer community.
However, from the earliest days of the club Co-Founders Warren Smith and Joe Wagoner and Academy Manager Jeremy Field knew that the relationship with local youth clubs and teams would be one of challenging and vital relationships that would be crucial to Republic FC’s growth and success.
“Sacramento is blessed to have such a great group of soccer clubs and we feel blessed to be working with them,” said Republic FC Co-Founder and President Warren Smith.
From Bonney Field’s club seating sections —which offer local youth and adult soccer clubs the chance to attend Republic FC matches—to ball kids to developing first team players to the success of Republic FC’s Academy, youth clubs have been an integral part of the club’s success both on and off the pitch.
While Republic FC leadership began to build out their club partnership and seating program, a vision was set to provide a place that the nearly 11,000 regional youth clubs could gather, set aside their on-the-pitch competitiveness and celebrate the beautiful game. As the city’s rivers become a confluence, so to would its youth soccer clubs. Republic FC matches became a place for the youth clubs to cheer and chant together in exclusive seating sections.
As a result, these local soccer clubs have been a critical part of Republic FC’s success off the pitch, especially with the club’s steady attendance. The USL club set attendance records in 2014 and 2015, which raised the overall attendance of USL by 25 percent or more.
Currently, more than 15 percent of Republic FC’s season tickets are in Bonney Field’s club seating, sections reserved as a gathering place for the region’s youth players. These local clubs crests are displayed with pride above their sections no different than Republic FC’s own crest.
As a whole, more than fifty youth soccer teams, clubs and organizations from the Sacramento region participate in the Club Partnerships program. Additionally, up to 30 different clubs and teams attend any given Republic FC home match at Bonney Field as part of group nights and other team bonding activities.
“Our club partnerships offer the region’s local youth clubs the chance to come together off their own fields. They may compete in games and tournaments, but they all come together to support Republic FC and our Sacramento community at large,” said Club Partnership Manager Erica Jahn. “At the end of the day, we’re all about making Sacramento a better place to play the beautiful game.”
As part of the experience, Republic FC works closely with local youth clubs to provide additional opportunities that further encourage these youth players to develop their love for the sport. Examples include being a part of the Arden Fair High Five Tunnel, Wells Fargo ball kids or Q&As with the likes of Christie Rampone and Brandi Chastain.
“Looking back at my time as a youth soccer player, I wish we had a team like Republic FC here in town; playing in their own stadium, shows legitimacy for the sport,” said Vice President of Football Administration Kevin Goldthwaite, who spent his own youth career at San Juan Soccer Club before a career in Major League Soccer.
“Now there’s a professional team that kids can watch every weekend and say ‘I can be doing that too. Yes I want to play. I want to continue playing,’” continued Goldthwaite. “To be able to tangibly go see and feel it, that’s a great thing we provide to these kids. Hopefully that helps the clubs as it makes more kids excited who want to continue playing past 12 or 13 years old.”
Particularly with the launch of Sacramento Republic FC’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) program in early 2015, local youth clubs have been at the center of the Academy’s success on and off the field. Prior to the formal launch of Republic FC’s Academy, the club met with the various club directors throughout the region to discuss how the Academy could benefit the region as a whole, not just one club or organization.
With the help of local youth clubs and coaches, Republic FC’s Academy was able to identify players for the club’s U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams and put together a strong roster featuring players of all backgrounds from area youth clubs of all sizes. In all, Republic FC’s inaugural Academy team rosters featured nearly 70 players who came from 14 different youth soccer clubs from across the Sacramento region.
During their inaugural season, both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 Republic FC Academy teams qualified for the USSDA Playoffs, while the U-13/14 side dominated their age group (which does not have playoffs) during the regular season.
That success, says Goldthwaite, wouldn’t be possible with the support of local youth clubs.
“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.
“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. And without them, our Academy wouldn’t exist,” continued Goldthwaite. “The success our Academy teams have seen in our first year is completely comes down to the support of the local clubs in Sacramento.”
While Goldthwaite notes that the hard work of Republic FC’s Academy players, coaches and staff were critical to their on-pitch success during their inaugural season, the support of the area’s local youth clubs are what made the Academy possible.
“Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.
With the addition of two U-12 teams and the split of U-13/14 age group into a U-13 and U-14 team, Republic FC’s Academy plans on working to further improve and grow critical relationships with youth clubs.
“We’re really looking forward to continuing to work with the club directors to identify players that fit our model, communicate more and expand our scouting network,” said Field. “We also want to provide support to these clubs that continue to grow the sport at the youth level throughout the region. All of us are responsible for our role in the soccer pyramid and that starts at the earliest stages of play.”
On the technical side, local youth clubs have already been critical in developing Republic FC first team players. Current Republic FC goal leader and forward Cameron Iwasa spent his youth career playing with Nor Cal Elite Soccer Club, while midfielders Max Alvarez and Matt LaGrassa played for Davis Legacy and San Juan Soccer Club respectively.
Additionally, Republic FC loan player Adam Jahn is a Davis Legacy product, while Tommy Thompson played for Blues FC prior to joining the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
With a growing Academy program and plans to join MLS, Republic FC only hopes to further grow, develop and refine their relationships with youth clubs throughout the Sacramento region. This includes the potential of a girls’ academy as more and more girls look to compete at a higher level.
“We really owe everything to them and in the future we want to continue and grow these relationships. We know how important healthy relationships with youth clubs are for all of us,” said Goldthwaite. “Hopefully as these relationships grow, the rising tide lifts all ships.”
“Our club partnerships offer the region’s local youth clubs the chance to come together off their own fields. They may compete in games and tournaments, but they all come together to support Republic FC and our Sacramento community at large,” said Club Partnership Manager Erica Jahn. “At the end of the day, we’re all about making Sacramento a better place to play the beautiful game.”
As part of the experience, Republic FC works closely with local youth clubs to provide additional opportunities that further encourage these youth players to develop their love for the sport. Examples include being a part of the Arden Fair High Five Tunnel, Wells Fargo ball kids or Q&As with the likes of Christie Rampone and Brandi Chastain.
“Looking back at my time as a youth soccer player, I wish we had a team like Republic FC here in town; playing in their own stadium, shows legitimacy for the sport,” said Vice President of Football Administration Kevin Goldthwaite, who spent his own youth career at San Juan Soccer Club before a career in Major League Soccer.
“Now there’s a professional team that kids can watch every weekend and say ‘I can be doing that too. Yes I want to play. I want to continue playing,’” continued Goldthwaite. “To be able to tangibly go see and feel it, that’s a great thing we provide to these kids. Hopefully that helps the clubs as it makes more kids excited who want to continue playing past 12 or 13 years old.”
Particularly with the launch of Sacramento Republic FC’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) program in early 2015, local youth clubs have been at the center of the Academy’s success on and off the field. Prior to the formal launch of Republic FC’s Academy, the club met with the various club directors throughout the region to discuss how the Academy could benefit the region as a whole, not just one club or organization.
With the help of local youth clubs and coaches, Republic FC’s Academy was able to identify players for the club’s U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams and put together a strong roster featuring players of all backgrounds from area youth clubs of all sizes. In all, Republic FC’s inaugural Academy team rosters featured nearly 70 players who came from 14 different youth soccer clubs from across the Sacramento region.
During their inaugural season, both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 Republic FC Academy teams qualified for the USSDA Playoffs, while the U-13/14 side dominated their age group (which does not have playoffs) during the regular season.
That success, says Goldthwaite, wouldn’t be possible with the support of local youth clubs.
“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.
“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. And without them, our Academy wouldn’t exist,” continued Goldthwaite. “The success our Academy teams have seen in our first year is completely comes down to the support of the local clubs in Sacramento.”
While Goldthwaite notes that the hard work of Republic FC’s Academy players, coaches and staff were critical to their on-pitch success during their inaugural season, the support of the area’s local youth clubs are what made the Academy possible.
“Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.
With the addition of two U-12 teams and the split of U-13/14 age group into a U-13 and U-14 team, Republic FC’s Academy plans on working to further improve and grow critical relationships with youth clubs.
“We’re really looking forward to continuing to work with the club directors to identify players that fit our model, communicate more and expand our scouting network,” said Field. “We also want to provide support to these clubs that continue to grow the sport at the youth level throughout the region. All of us are responsible for our role in the soccer pyramid and that starts at the earliest stages of play.”
On the technical side, local youth clubs have already been critical in developing Republic FC first team players. Current Republic FC goal leader and forward Cameron Iwasa spent his youth career playing with Nor Cal Elite Soccer Club, while midfielders Max Alvarez and Matt LaGrassa played for Davis Legacy and San Juan Soccer Club respectively.
Additionally, Republic FC loan player Adam Jahn is a Davis Legacy product, while Tommy Thompson played for Blues FC prior to joining the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
With a growing Academy program and plans to join MLS, Republic FC only hopes to further grow, develop and refine their relationships with youth clubs throughout the Sacramento region. This includes the potential of a girls’ academy as more and more girls look to compete at a higher level.
“We really owe everything to them and in the future we want to continue and grow these relationships. We know how important healthy relationships with youth clubs are for all of us,” said Goldthwaite. “Hopefully as these relationships grow, the rising tide lifts all ships.”