With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, Republic FC is recognizing the culture and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx population in the region. On Sept. 18, the club celebrated its first Noche Latina of the season with music, food, and giveaways, and announced the addition of a new line of merchandise, the Hispanic Heritage Collection.
This week, the club salutes broadcasters Milton Moreno and Armando Botello, who call Republic FC’s broadcasts in Spanish on Estrella TV Sacramento. The duo has been on the call for the Indomitable Club together since 2018, covering almost every regular season match in addition to the club’s postseason action as one of just a handful of Spanish language broadcast crews in USL.
For Botello, Republic FC’s play by play man, broadcasting in Spanish has long been a part of his professional career. He formerly broadcast games in Spanish for the Sacramento Kings, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders.
“I just celebrated my 50 year anniversary in Spanish Broadcasting,” he said. “I’ve done other sports, and doing soccer has been great too. I love it.”
Prior to joining Republic FC, Botello spent nearly 30 years in Spanish language television and media. The Sacramento native has worked in television for CBS 13, Univision, and even as a state capital correspondent with La Opinion.
Unlike Botello, Moreno’s path to broadcasting wasn’t as planned. After finishing his playing career in Mexico, where he most notably featured for Club America’s second division side, he decided to return to the U.S. and pursue a degree at Sacramento State, after which he entered the world of coaching soccer. But he has enjoyed his time calling matches so much that he even returned to school to take classes in journalism and communications in an effort to improve.
“Broadcasting wasn’t on my mind until I got an invitation from the great Gabriel Vivas to give my analysis of games,” he said. “I admit that it is a hard job. There is a lot of preparation involved. But I’ve got a great teacher, and I have learned a lot from Armando.”
To each of them, being one of a select few of Spanish broadcasters in the league carries its own special significance. With so few Spanish language broadcasts in the league, the two acknowledged that what they do is a big deal in terms of providing access, community, and awareness to fans and teams alike.
“This is very important,” Botello said of broadcasting matches in Spanish. “It’s not just a good way to promote the game and the team, but it brings a good feeling for local teams that have lots of Latino players and a big Latino following in the community. It is tremendous and I’m very happy Republic FC does it.”
“I’m honored,” said Moreno. “I remember getting an invitation to do this, and it is an honor to represent the Latino community, and also show some of my knowledge of the game from my days playing here in the U.S. and in Mexico.”
Milton and Armando will be on the call for every match from now until the end of the season on Estrella TV Sacramento. Catch them this weekend Republic FC welcomes Tacoma Defiance to Heart Health Park on Saturday, October 2.
