Like the Indomitable City itself—which was named America’s Most Diverse City by Time magazine—Sacramento Republic FC’s diverse players come from across the globe to pursue their careers in the beautiful game and call Bonney Field their home pitch.
However, for players like Cameron Iwasa and Matt LaGrassa, home pitch takes a more literal meaning as they gear up for Saturday’s USL Western Conference Quarterfinals against Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s awesome. I grew up in this city. I love this city,” said Iwasa.
Five Republic FC players have deep local ties to Sacramento. Iwasa and LaGrassa grew up playing local club and high school soccer here. Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek was born nearby in Lodi. Meanwhile, midfielder Max Alvarez and defender Elliott Hord are both local college standouts, playing at Sacramento State and UC Davis, respectively.
Bonney Field is already known across the league for its rambunctious atmosphere that gives Republic FC a home field advantage, but local players are excited for the chance to play at home, in their city. Playing professional sports in the city you grew up in or went to college in is a privilege granted to just a handful of professional athletes.
“Obviously when I was growing up this club wasn’t here yet, but this is a city that’s big supporters of their local sports team,” said Iwasa, a former Jesuit High School standout. “I grew up a big Kings fan so I know how this city supports them, so to be a part of something and having that same support behind us is incredible.”
While Iwasa had the chance to appear in front of his home city during Republic FC’s playoff run last year, for first-year team members LaGrassa and Hord, the experience is one they’ll relish this weekend.
“I’m just very excited for my first playoff experience,” said LaGrassa. “Excited for the atmosphere at Bonney Field, excited for the environment on the field.”
Hord, meanwhile has already experienced the electric atmosphere in Sacramento during the USL Playoffs. Two years ago, Hord was in the stands at Bonney Field cheering on the boys in Old Glory Red as they rallied from behind to defeat LA Galaxy II 3-2 in the Semifinal match later dubbed the Miracle at Bonney.
“It was intense,” said Hord as he recalled the 2014 Playoffs. “We were down 2-0 and I was thinking ‘Aww, man the flood gates are going to open.’ And then…Rodrigo Lopez scored the three goals and it was just absolutely crazy.”
Since that match, Hord says the atmosphere at Bonney Field has only continued to evolve and grow, which will make his first USL Playoff match as a player all the more memorable.
“I’m looking forward to using the crowd and the energy they provide us to my advantage, and the whole team is going to use it,” said Hord. “We know how to use their energy in a positive way.”
In addition to Sacramento’s passionate sports fanbase, local players are also savoring the chance to play such a big match in front of friends and family, in addition to the sellout crowds that make Republic FC’s home pitch advantage so strong.
“It means so much to me, and definitely my family, that they are able to go out to a playoff game and see me out there,” said LaGrassa. “This year has been such a wild ride, having my family along for the journey has been a great experience. I’m excited for the next steps which starts on Saturday.”
“I’ve had buddies of mine [from UC Davis Men’s’ Soccer] that told me they’re going to come this weekend,” added Hord, who is excited to see familiar faces from his college days at Saturday’s match. “They’re really excited. It’s going to be a fun game…We know how to play in big games and use [the crowd]…When we play here it’s a big advantage to us.”
Republic FC kicks off against Orange County Blues FC in their USL Western Conference Quarterfinals match at 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field this Saturday. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Like the Indomitable City itself—which was named America’s Most Diverse City by Time magazine—Sacramento Republic FC’s diverse players come from across the globe to pursue their careers in the beautiful game and call Bonney Field their home pitch.
However, for players like Cameron Iwasa and Matt LaGrassa, home pitch takes a more literal meaning as they gear up for Saturday’s USL Western Conference Quarterfinals against Orange County Blues FC.
“It’s awesome. I grew up in this city. I love this city,” said Iwasa.
Five Republic FC players have deep local ties to Sacramento. Iwasa and LaGrassa grew up playing local club and high school soccer here. Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek was born nearby in Lodi. Meanwhile, midfielder Max Alvarez and defender Elliott Hord are both local college standouts, playing at Sacramento State and UC Davis, respectively.
Bonney Field is already known across the league for its rambunctious atmosphere that gives Republic FC a home field advantage, but local players are excited for the chance to play at home, in their city. Playing professional sports in the city you grew up in or went to college in is a privilege granted to just a handful of professional athletes.
“Obviously when I was growing up this club wasn’t here yet, but this is a city that’s big supporters of their local sports team,” said Iwasa, a former Jesuit High School standout. “I grew up a big Kings fan so I know how this city supports them, so to be a part of something and having that same support behind us is incredible.”
While Iwasa had the chance to appear in front of his home city during Republic FC’s playoff run last year, for first-year team members LaGrassa and Hord, the experience is one they’ll relish this weekend.
“I’m just very excited for my first playoff experience,” said LaGrassa. “Excited for the atmosphere at Bonney Field, excited for the environment on the field.”
Hord, meanwhile has already experienced the electric atmosphere in Sacramento during the USL Playoffs. Two years ago, Hord was in the stands at Bonney Field cheering on the boys in Old Glory Red as they rallied from behind to defeat LA Galaxy II 3-2 in the Semifinal match later dubbed the Miracle at Bonney.
“It was intense,” said Hord as he recalled the 2014 Playoffs. “We were down 2-0 and I was thinking ‘Aww, man the flood gates are going to open.’ And then…Rodrigo Lopez scored the three goals and it was just absolutely crazy.”
Since that match, Hord says the atmosphere at Bonney Field has only continued to evolve and grow, which will make his first USL Playoff match as a player all the more memorable.
“I’m looking forward to using the crowd and the energy they provide us to my advantage, and the whole team is going to use it,” said Hord. “We know how to use their energy in a positive way.”
In addition to Sacramento’s passionate sports fanbase, local players are also savoring the chance to play such a big match in front of friends and family, in addition to the sellout crowds that make Republic FC’s home pitch advantage so strong.
“It means so much to me, and definitely my family, that they are able to go out to a playoff game and see me out there,” said LaGrassa. “This year has been such a wild ride, having my family along for the journey has been a great experience. I’m excited for the next steps which starts on Saturday.”
“I’ve had buddies of mine [from UC Davis Men’s’ Soccer] that told me they’re going to come this weekend,” added Hord, who is excited to see familiar faces from his college days at Saturday’s match. “They’re really excited. It’s going to be a fun game…We know how to play in big games and use [the crowd]…When we play here it’s a big advantage to us.”
Republic FC kicks off against Orange County Blues FC in their USL Western Conference Quarterfinals match at 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field this Saturday. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
