Two years ago—on September 27, 2014—Sacramento Republic FC captured the 2014 USL championship in a 2-0 victory against Harrisburg City Islanders.
Republic FC’s Cinderella inaugural season came full circle that night as they defeated the Islanders in front of sellout crowd of 8,000 that packed Bonney Field after they fell 0-1 to Harrisburg in front of 20,231 at a sold out Hughes Stadium at the club’s inaugural home match on Apr. 26, 2014.
The hottest ticket in town, the match was Republic FC’s 15th consecutive USL sellout that year as fans clad in Old Glory Red and scarves packed into the stands at Bonney Field to chant for a continuous 90 minutes.
“It was absolutely unreal,” said defender Emrah Klimenta. “I just remember before the game, it was packed. People showed up quite early. Nerves were going through all the players, but once that whistle blew and we saw how many people we had cheering us on…everything just fell into place.”
The 2014 USL Championship match opened with Republic FC in full control, coming within inches of scoring in just the second minute when captain Justin Braun just missed a cross from the right. Soon after, local talent Max Alvarez took a shot that was blocked on the goal line by Harrisburg goalkeeper Coady Andrews in the 11th minute.
However, it wasn’t until the 36th minute when Republic FC broke through the Islanders’ defense when midfielder Rodrigo Lopez played the ball to Octavio Guzman. Making the run on the ball from midfield, Guzman sent a gorgeous chip past Andrews and into the right corner from the top of the penalty area to take a 1-0 lead prior to the half.
“We deserved it, we were working hard,” said Guzman about his match-winning goal. “It felt good.”
Two years ago—on September 27, 2014—Sacramento Republic FC captured the 2014 USL championship in a 2-0 victory against Harrisburg City Islanders.
Republic FC’s Cinderella inaugural season came full circle that night as they defeated the Islanders in front of sellout crowd of 8,000 that packed Bonney Field after they fell 0-1 to Harrisburg in front of 20,231 at a sold out Hughes Stadium at the club’s inaugural home match on Apr. 26, 2014.
The hottest ticket in town, the match was Republic FC’s 15th consecutive USL sellout that year as fans clad in Old Glory Red and scarves packed into the stands at Bonney Field to chant for a continuous 90 minutes.
“It was absolutely unreal,” said defender Emrah Klimenta. “I just remember before the game, it was packed. People showed up quite early. Nerves were going through all the players, but once that whistle blew and we saw how many people we had cheering us on…everything just fell into place.”
The 2014 USL Championship match opened with Republic FC in full control, coming within inches of scoring in just the second minute when captain Justin Braun just missed a cross from the right. Soon after, local talent Max Alvarez took a shot that was blocked on the goal line by Harrisburg goalkeeper Coady Andrews in the 11th minute.
However, it wasn’t until the 36th minute when Republic FC broke through the Islanders’ defense when midfielder Rodrigo Lopez played the ball to Octavio Guzman. Making the run on the ball from midfield, Guzman sent a gorgeous chip past Andrews and into the right corner from the top of the penalty area to take a 1-0 lead prior to the half.
“We deserved it, we were working hard,” said Guzman about his match-winning goal. “It felt good.”
In the second half, the energetic crowd continued to cheer on the boys in Old Glory Red, who dominated possession throughout the match. After numerous chances, Republic FC doubled their lead in the final moments of second-half stoppage time when Tommy Stewart added an insurance tally as the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.
In the second half, the energetic crowd continued to cheer on the boys in Old Glory Red, who dominated possession throughout the match. After numerous chances, Republic FC doubled their lead in the final moments of second-half stoppage time when Tommy Stewart added an insurance tally as the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.
The USL championship was the perfect finish for Republic FC’s Cinderella season campaign where they set new single match and season attendance records for the USL and made a splash across the national soccer scene. After a slow start, Republic FC finished second in the regular season behind Orlando City SC, who went on to make the jump to MLS the following season.
Six members of the 2014 championship roster have become veterans on the pitch for Republic FC leading into the 2016 USL Playoffs. Match-winning goal scorer Guzman returns to his third consecutive playoff run with Republic FC along with goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, defenders Klimenta and James Kiffe and midfielders Max Alvarez and Agustin Cazarez. Loan player Tommy Thompson, who was also a member of the 2014 championship team, is also eligible for the 2016 USL Playoffs.
For Republic FC veterans, they hope fans bring back the magic of the 2014 USL Playoffs to carry into this weekend’s USL Western Quarterfinals match against Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s a hard game for any team to come and play us in front of our crowd because they support us the whole 90 minutes,” said Guzman. “Every year we’ve made playoffs. It’s the third year back in Sacramento and we’re ready.”
Republic FC will face the Blues in the first round of playoffs this Saturday at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. The match will be streamed live on the USL YouTube page and at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
Watch full match below.
The USL championship was the perfect finish for Republic FC’s Cinderella season campaign where they set new single match and season attendance records for the USL and made a splash across the national soccer scene. After a slow start, Republic FC finished second in the regular season behind Orlando City SC, who went on to make the jump to MLS the following season.
Six members of the 2014 championship roster have become veterans on the pitch for Republic FC leading into the 2016 USL Playoffs. Match-winning goal scorer Guzman returns to his third consecutive playoff run with Republic FC along with goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, defenders Klimenta and James Kiffe and midfielders Max Alvarez and Agustin Cazarez. Loan player Tommy Thompson, who was also a member of the 2014 championship team, is also eligible for the 2016 USL Playoffs.
For Republic FC veterans, they hope fans bring back the magic of the 2014 USL Playoffs to carry into this weekend’s USL Western Quarterfinals match against Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s a hard game for any team to come and play us in front of our crowd because they support us the whole 90 minutes,” said Guzman. “Every year we’ve made playoffs. It’s the third year back in Sacramento and we’re ready.”
Republic FC will face the Blues in the first round of playoffs this Saturday at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. The match will be streamed live on the USL YouTube page and at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
Watch full match below.
