Republic FC Expands International Presence Through the 2016 Season
From hosting one of the most renowned strikers in the world for training to facing teams from prestigious clubs from across the pond and south of the border, Sacramento Republic FC has had a great year on the international stage.
Earlier this year, Republic FC fans had a chance to be part of the Copa America Centenario celebrations when the Copa America trophy made its way to Bonney Field. The trophy for the oldest continental tournament in the world made a stop at a Republic FC match on Apr. 23, the trophy’s only stop in Sacramento. Fans were given the opportunity take pictures with the trophy that would be handed to the winner of this year’s tournament later in the summer.
This season also marked one of the most noteworthy signings in the USL with the signing of the English Premier League veteran Carlton Cole. The prolific former West Ham United forward signed with Republic FC on Aug. 9 after leaving Scottish Premier League club Celtic. Cole arrived in Sacramento with 14 seasons of EPL experience under his belt, appearing in 256 matches with West Ham and scoring 56 career goals.
The veteran forward brought a wealth of knowledge and composure to a very young locker room that fed off confidence and experience.
“He’s given such a depth of experience, just talking about what he’s been through and some of those situations,” said forward Wilson Kneeshaw earlier this year. “It’s helped me and it’s helped the team. The team obviously loves having him around…it’s like an abyss of absolute of great experience that we can just lean on.”
Last fall, Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle and Director of Football Graham Smith also visited CESIFUT, a high-intensity performance center in northern Mexico that serves as an independent academy.
CESIFUT caters to youth players who are serious about becoming professional footballers. The academy is a residency, housing more than 100 players on-site. Players are recruited through tryouts starting at age 12 and up, and those admitted live full-time at the academy, training two to three times a day, while also attending academic classes. All of this is provided to players free of charge.
It was at CESIFUT that Buckle and Smith found defender Carlos Rodriguez, who signed with the first team in March. Rodriguez was invited to participate in the preseason training before signing with the first team, with the training taking place in Mazatalan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Republic FC trained in Sinaloa for five days, using the same training facility used by Liga MX clubs Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana and Ascenso MX club Dorados de Sinaloa.
During the offseason between the 2015 and 2016 season, Buckle and Smith also made a scouting trip to England. There the duo visited prestigious academies, such as the Liverpool FC Academy, with Liverpool FC U21s later making their way to Sacramento for a pair of friendlies against Republic FC in May.
The current offseason has been just as busy for Republic FC’s technical staff. This past November, Republic FC Video Analyst and Camps and Clinics Coordinator Chris Maleneb headed off to Ghana for a football operations trip to scout talent and build relationships with new clubs.
Throughout the trip, Malenab, along with other representatives from clubs such as Real Salt Lake (MLS) and Wilmington Hammerheads (USL), attended several scouting matches with players from local clubs. Malenab was in Ghana for five full days, observing players from the country’s top flight alongside the president of the Ghanaian FA, as well as experiencing the culture of the West African country outside of his soccer operations duties.
Read Malenab’s daily blogs from Ghana:
DAY 1 >
DAY 2 >
DAY 3 >
DAY 4 >
DAY 5 >
2016 has also saw one of Liga MX’s most famous clubs make their way through Sacramento. Republic FC hosted Club Guadalajara in October in 1-1 draw at Bonney Field. Club Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, is one of the most storied clubs in Mexican soccer and one of the most popular, along with rival Club America. Chivas is second only to Club America in league titles won throughout its extensive history.
While Republic FC is currently still in the offseason, there will be another international match gracing Bonney Field before 2017 arrives. Liga MX clubs Atlas FC and Monarcas Morelia will face off on Friday, Dec. 30 at Bonney Field, with players such as Mexico international Rafael Marquez expected to take the pitch. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.
Republic FC Expands International Presence Through the 2016 Season
From hosting one of the most renowned strikers in the world for training to facing teams from prestigious clubs from across the pond and south of the border, Sacramento Republic FC has had a great year on the international stage.
Earlier this year, Republic FC fans had a chance to be part of the Copa America Centenario celebrations when the Copa America trophy made its way to Bonney Field. The trophy for the oldest continental tournament in the world made a stop at a Republic FC match on Apr. 23, the trophy’s only stop in Sacramento. Fans were given the opportunity take pictures with the trophy that would be handed to the winner of this year’s tournament later in the summer.
This season also marked one of the most noteworthy signings in the USL with the signing of the English Premier League veteran Carlton Cole. The prolific former West Ham United forward signed with Republic FC on Aug. 9 after leaving Scottish Premier League club Celtic. Cole arrived in Sacramento with 14 seasons of EPL experience under his belt, appearing in 256 matches with West Ham and scoring 56 career goals.
The veteran forward brought a wealth of knowledge and composure to a very young locker room that fed off confidence and experience.
“He’s given such a depth of experience, just talking about what he’s been through and some of those situations,” said forward Wilson Kneeshaw earlier this year. “It’s helped me and it’s helped the team. The team obviously loves having him around…it’s like an abyss of absolute of great experience that we can just lean on.”
Last fall, Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle and Director of Football Graham Smith also visited CESIFUT, a high-intensity performance center in northern Mexico that serves as an independent academy.
CESIFUT caters to youth players who are serious about becoming professional footballers. The academy is a residency, housing more than 100 players on-site. Players are recruited through tryouts starting at age 12 and up, and those admitted live full-time at the academy, training two to three times a day, while also attending academic classes. All of this is provided to players free of charge.
It was at CESIFUT that Buckle and Smith found defender Carlos Rodriguez, who signed with the first team in March. Rodriguez was invited to participate in the preseason training before signing with the first team, with the training taking place in Mazatalan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Republic FC trained in Sinaloa for five days, using the same training facility used by Liga MX clubs Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana and Ascenso MX club Dorados de Sinaloa.
During the offseason between the 2015 and 2016 season, Buckle and Smith also made a scouting trip to England. There the duo visited prestigious academies, such as the Liverpool FC Academy, with Liverpool FC U21s later making their way to Sacramento for a pair of friendlies against Republic FC in May.
The current offseason has been just as busy for Republic FC’s technical staff. This past November, Republic FC Video Analyst and Camps and Clinics Coordinator Chris Maleneb headed off to Ghana for a football operations trip to scout talent and build relationships with new clubs.
Throughout the trip, Malenab, along with other representatives from clubs such as Real Salt Lake (MLS) and Wilmington Hammerheads (USL), attended several scouting matches with players from local clubs. Malenab was in Ghana for five full days, observing players from the country’s top flight alongside the president of the Ghanaian FA, as well as experiencing the culture of the West African country outside of his soccer operations duties.
Read Malenab’s daily blogs from Ghana:
DAY 1 >
DAY 2 >
DAY 3 >
DAY 4 >
DAY 5 >
2016 has also saw one of Liga MX’s most famous clubs make their way through Sacramento. Republic FC hosted Club Guadalajara in October in 1-1 draw at Bonney Field. Club Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, is one of the most storied clubs in Mexican soccer and one of the most popular, along with rival Club America. Chivas is second only to Club America in league titles won throughout its extensive history.
While Republic FC is currently still in the offseason, there will be another international match gracing Bonney Field before 2017 arrives. Liga MX clubs Atlas FC and Monarcas Morelia will face off on Friday, Dec. 30 at Bonney Field, with players such as Mexico international Rafael Marquez expected to take the pitch. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.
Read Previous Top 10 Moments of 2016
Honorable Mentions: Part 1
Honorable Mentions: Part 2
Honorable Mentions: Part 3
Read Previous Top 10 Moments of 2016
Honorable Mentions: Part 1
Honorable Mentions: Part 2
Honorable Mentions: Part 3