On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced the 2023 All-League Teams, honoring the best players across the league for the season. Republic FC earned four selections – more than any other team this year. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, and defenders Conor Donovan and Jack Gurr were all named to the First Team, while forward Russell Cicerone earned a spot on the Second Team.
“We’re extremely proud and honored for Danny, Conor, Jack, and Russell to earn their first all-league selections,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “These awards are a testament to the tenacity and hard work of each of these individuals and also to the collective accomplishments of our entire team. We will look to build on the success our club saw in the 2023 season, giving us a new stepping stone for the next 10 seasons of soccer in Sacramento.”
Vitiello, Donovan, and Gurr were all core contributors to Republic FC’s league-leading defense – only conceding 26 goals in regular season play, with 14 shutouts. Both marks set new records for the Indomitable Club. The trio of First Team selections have been with Republic FC since the 2022 season. This is the first All-League First Team selection for each Vitiello, Donovan, and Gurr, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh for Republic FC players since 2014. Last year, midfielder Rodrigo Lopez earned his second-career First Team distinction.
Vitiello’s career year led to another Golden Glove campaign while writing his name into the Indomitable Club’s record books. In 29 appearances, he recorded a 76.2% save percentage – a career high. Vitiello claimed the 2023 Golden Glove with a regular season Goals Against Average of 0.83 – the second time he has won the league honor. With 11 clean sheets, Vitiello posted another career high and would become Republic FC’s all-time leader – taking the top spot from Josh Cohen. With the Conference Semifinal win over San Antonio, Vitiello also became the club’s winningest goalkeeper with 28 league wins.
Donovan appeared in all but one match in 2023, playing 2,745 minutes. He led the club’s defense in clearances (119), blocks (34), interceptions (39), headed clearances (63), and aerial duels won (71) – and was among the league leaders for defensive stats categories. The USL veteran also reached career milestones during the campaign, surpassing 200 career pro appearances and marking 15,000 USL Championship minutes. His game-winning goal in the Western Conference Quarterfinals against New Mexico would send Republic FC on to the Semifinal round.
On the right flank, Gurr had a breakout season in 2023, setting a new career high in goals (5) and assists (6). The Englishman played 2,627 minutes across 31 appearances and led the league’s defenders with 61 chances created and 208 crosses, while also leading Republic FC’s defense with 28 tackles won. Throughout the campaign, he earned five selections to the USL Championship Team of the Week.
Cicerone earns his first career All-League Second Team selection in his first season with Republic FC. He appeared in every regular season match – the only player to do so this season, and led the team in scoring with 15 goals, including the club’s record-breaking 51st goal of the regular season, while also adding four assists. He earned recognition across the league, including five Team of the Week selections, three Goal of the Week nominations (with one win), and was voted the May Player of the Month after bagging his second career hat trick on May 13 against Indy Eleven. He becomes the eighth Republic FC player to be named to the Second Team.
For the league’s full announcement of the 2023 All-League Selections, visit USLChampionship.com.
Republic FC will now begin building its roster for the 2024 USL Championship season. In January, the club will host its annual Open Tryout, when the region’s best players get the opportunity to impress the team’s technical staff and earn an invitation to training camp. Registration will open early December.
Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.
