To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, Republic FC and SMUD are teaming up to host the club’s annual Noche Latina match tomorrow night at Heart Health Park. From limited-edition merchandise and a pop-up makers mart, to special presentations that recognize Hispanic leaders in our community, here’s what fans can expect throughout the night.
Pasión y Orgullo: Hispanic Heritage Collection
Designed by local artists Rosa and Antonio Sarabia, co-founders and co-directors of Azules Design Studio, this year’s merchandise collection pays homage to the nationalities of the Republic FC players of Hispanic and Latino backgrounds, while also bringing inspiration from design styles first introduced during the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1970’s World Cup – both held in Mexico.
The Pasión y Orgullo collection is available online now at Shop.SacRepublicFC.com and will be available in the team store at Heart Health Park. This year, 10% of the collection’s scarf proceeds will go to La Familia Counseling Center.
Here’s what the artists had to say about some of the special details behind this year’s artwork and design process:
“The colorful flags pay homage to the nationalities of some of the Republic FC players, but they are also meant to represent the vast diversity of nationalities and backgrounds that make up the Spanish-speaking community in Sacramento and the U.S.” 
“When thinking about the words we used for the design, we knew it would have to be in Spanish, so the most obvious choice was to use ‘Fútbol.’ For us, language holds a special kind of power and meaning. To use “Fútbol” is to recall the countless games we played with our friends when we were kids, the many get-togethers with family as a match played in the background, the joys and tears following our national teams through every World Cup.” 
“We drew a lot of inspiration from the vintage Futbol and Olympic posters of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. These designs combined typography with stylized figures, multiple colors and interesting shapes to create some of the most memorable posters. For us, and many Latinos, this particular design style became ubiquitous in our native countries, a visual aesthetic that was widely adopted and has become instantly recognizable for us.”
El Mercado
Stop by the Fan Zone at Heart Health Park for a special pop-up makers mart. El Mercado is a one-night only shopping experience featuring Hispanic and Latino artists, crafters, and vendors.
Leadership Recognitions
As a part of the evening’s festivities, the club and its partners will highlight some incredible folks making a difference in the Sacramento community.
- El Futuro Scholarship: In partnership with the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a local student exhibiting exceptional scholastic leadership and community involvement
- SMUD Juntos Leadership Award: In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Republic FC and SMUD have teamed up to create an annual award highlight the amazing work of an individual or organization in our community that is doing amazing work. This year’s award will be presented to La Familia Counseling Center in South Sacramento.
Food & Drink Specials
In addition to a new Legacy Margarita featuring Tequila Corralejo’s Reposado, special Hispanic-inspired food options will be offered throughout the stadium.
Food Trucks
- Yolanda’s Tamales
- It’s Nacho
- California Street Tacos
- Tacos Locos
Stadium Food Stands
- Green Chili Burger ($13)
- Carne Asada Fries ($11)
In-Stadium Performances & Additional Elements
Throughout the night, fans will hear Public Address announcements in Spanish, courtesy of guest emcee Javier Arellano, as well as a specially-curated playlist created by Republic FC’s Hispanic and Latino players.
In a pre-game performance, Folklorico Nuevo Amanecer will express Mexican culture through the art of dance before SMUD’s LUNA (Latinos Unity Network for Action) Employee Resource Group and La Familia present the flags from various Spanish-speaking countries.
