Sacramento, Calif. – On Thursday, USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone has been nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month for April. Voting is open now through May 8 at 9:00 a.m. PT at USLChampionship.com. Fan voting composes 51% of the poll, and the remainder will be conducted by the USL Technical Committee and National media panel. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 11.
Over the entire month, Cicerone led the league with five scoring contributions, and his three goals marked the second most of any player in April. Through Week 8, he has a league-best Goals Added mark of +3.40. The Michigan native kicked off the month with a brace in the club’s 5-0 win over defending Eastern Conference champion Louisville City FC on April 1 – the first multi-goal performance for a Republic FC player this season and Cicerone’s seventh career game with multiple scores. Two weeks later, he scored the opening goal against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. His fourth goal of the season and the 50th of his career across all competitions, the score set up the Indomitable Club’s 4-0 win over the 2022 Western Conference runner-up.
He tallied his first of two assists on the month on April 15, flicking the ball along for Damia Viader to score the second goal of the night against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. On April 22, he assisted the game-winning goal against Detroit City FC, setting up Luis Felipe to secure the club’s seventh game without a loss.
The forward’s contributions in April extended to the U.S. Open Cup, where he helped his club advance to the Round of 32 for the fifth straight tournament. He netted a brace in the club’s second round match on April 5, his second straight game with multiple scores, and assisted the game winner in the Third Round against Oakland Roots.
Through the first quarter of the 2023 season, Republic FC sit at the top of the USL Championship standings with 18 points and are the only undefeated team remaining. Through eight matches, the club has posted a league-best +12 goal differential and recorded a league-leading six shutouts.
Republic FC is back in action this Tuesday, May 9 when the club hosts MLS side Colorado Rapids in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. Kickoff from Heart Health Park is set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. Last year’s historic cup run was highlighted by sell-out crowds creating an unrivaled atmosphere as the team defeated MLS clubs San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City to punch its ticket to the final.
