Heart Health Park has long been known as home to one of the best home-field advantages in the league since its opening in 2014. Fans from across the Sacramento region have packed the stands to create one of the most raucous environments in American soccer. But every year, as mid-July rolls around, anticipation grows. Colorful lights, and the sights, sounds, and smells representative of the club’s home state begin making its way into fans’ view from their seats as the California State Fair opens alongside Heart Health Park.
Wednesday, Republic FC plays its 10th all-time match alongside the State Fair when Phoenix Rising FC visits the Indomitable City. Ahead of the contest, have a look back at some of the club’s top games before the annual statehood celebration, held each July at 1500 Exposition.
July 17, 2014 – Republic FC 0 – 0 Orlando City SC
Long before Sacramento and Orlando would face off in a historic Cup final, the two sides were the top two in the league during Republic FC’s inaugural season. Few knew what a state fair match would hold – but quickly, it became clear that the added energy from the added surroundings would feed the crowd and boost the Quails when they needed it most. Even down to ten men late in the match, Sacramento held strong to secure a clean sheet in a scoreless draw against the club next in line for MLS in its first contest with carnival lights making their way into Heart Health Park.
July 22, 2017: Republic FC 2 – 0 Seattle Sounders 2
After a long road trip in July 2016 left the club without a state fair match for the first time, Sacramento returned to the pitch again during the fair the following year – and took full advantage of the friendly confines of then Papa Murphy’s Park. A 2-0 result over Seattle Sounders 2 saw the club go up early when forward Trevin Caesar found the net, and Tyler Blackwood put the game-sealer at the hour mark.
July 13, 2019: Republic FC 1 – 0 Portland Timbers 2
Republic FC had some tough luck before the fair in 2018, falling to rival LA Galaxy II. But in 2019, the club bounced back on the opening weekend of the annual exposition with a 1-0 victory over Portland Timbers 2. Hayden Partain found the only score of the match in the 41st minute, while the match was one of the last for Goalkeeper Josh Cohen ahead of his move to Israel’s Maccabi Haifa the following week on July 19.
July 27, 2022: Republic FC 0 (5) – 0 (4) Sporting KC
A match that needs no introduction, the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Semifinal is a top contest in club history. Republic FC welcomed an MLS side with a chance to make a historical moment even bigger – and they did it in impressive fashion. One of the most collective, together-driven performances by any club in recent memory was boosted by an unbelievable crowd on its way to seeing a penalty shootout that provided emotion rivaling some of the game’s biggest moments – and it was all on display for 12,000 and more inside and outside Heart Health Park. With the State Fair in the background, the match was truly a representation of what makes Sacramento, and its stadium and fans, one of the best in the American soccer landscape.
