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Around the Leagues: Silverware on the Line Across the Pond

As the boys in Old Glory Red prepare to host Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday for the club’s home opener of the 2021 USL Championship, plenty of other mouthwatering matchups are also lined up on the global soccer schedule in the coming days.

USL Championship

The Championship is still in its early stages of the 2021 campaign but the action on the pitch is starting to heat up. On Thursday, a late strike from Vicente Sanchez gave Rio Grande Valley FC Toros a 1-0 win over SRFC’s fellow Pacific Division foe San Diego Loyal SC. On Saturday, Joaquin Rivas bagged a brace to lift FC Tulsa to a 2-0 road win at Indy Eleven, San Antonio FC and Real Monarchs finished 2-2 after both sides saw a player on each team see a straight red card and Phoenix Rising FC blanked Oakland Roots SC 3-0 in the East Bay’s first-ever league fixture.

The day after Sacramento hosts Las Vegas, play in the Pacific Division continues with Defiance welcoming San Diego Loyal SC to Tacoma on Thursday night. Some of the notable USL matchups this coming weekend include Real Monarchs hosting LA Galaxy II on Friday, Phoenix Rising FC visiting Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday for the ESPN Game of the Week and RGV welcoming in-state rival San Antonio to town on Sunday.

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer’s season continues to provide plenty of exciting soccer and this past weekend was no different. It all started on Friday night when San Jose Earthquakes pulled off a come-from-behind win on the road to down Real Salt Lake, 2-1, after Chris Wondolowski scored twice in the closing minutes.

On Saturday, LA Galaxy triumphed 2-1 in the El Trafico over LAFC while Colorado Rapids won a five-goal thriller, 3-2, over Minnesota United. Sunday saw Seattle Sounders down Timbers 2-1 in Portland.

League play resumes on Wednesday when Toronto FC host Columbus Crew SC, New England Revolution visit Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City travels to Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes welcome Seattle Sounders to the South Bay.

On Saturday, LA Galaxy triumphed 2-1 in the El Trafico over LAFC while Colorado Rapids won a five-goal thriller, 3-2, over Minnesota United. Sunday saw Seattle Sounders down Timbers 2-1 in Portland.

NWSL & Women’s UCL Final

Only one week after Portland Thorns won the NWSL Challenge Cup following a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Gotham FC after the match ended 1-1, the league is set to kick off its regular season this Saturday. The trio of Saturday matches include Racing Louisville FC hosting Kansas City, Houston Dash visiting Gotham FC followed by North Carolina Courage heading to the Pacific Northwest to play OL Reign.

The games continue into Sunday with Washington Spirit at Orlando Pride and Portland Thorns hosting Chicago Red Stars.

But the biggest matchup in the women’s game this coming weekend is in the UEFA Champions League Final when Barcelona and Chelsea are set to clash in Gothenburg on Sunday. Neither club has lifted the European trophy, but the winner will be the first club to have won both the women’s and men’s UCLs.

The games continue into Sunday with Washington Spirit at Orlando Pride and Portland Thorns hosting Chicago Red Stars.

Major European Leagues

Speaking of Chelsea, the men’s side is fresh off a 2-1 win over Manchester City – the Blues’ upcoming UCL Final opponent – and have a handful of massive matchups on the horizon including a heavyweight bout in league play this Wednesday afternoon against crosstown rival Arsenal. Days later, the west London club has a chance to claim some silverware when the Blues take on Leicester City in the FA Cup Final on Saturday in Wembley Stadium.

Premier League play continues the following day with the biggest fixture in the English game when Manchester United host Liverpool FC. United still have a hold on second place while Liverpool sit in sixth but a spot in the top four is still very much a possibility.

In Germany, the fixture all eyes will be on is a Thursday matchup with a trophy on the line. The DFB Pokal Final between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund will be held in Berlin and is the first final in four years that hasn’t featured FC Bayern Munich.

The title race in Spain continues to look like it will come down to the final weekend, but a handful of midweek matchups could have major implications in the hunt for first. On Wednesday, table-toppers Atletico Madrid host a strong Real Sociedad side in fifth place before Real Madrid – in second place and trail first by two points – travel to Grenada.

The topflight in France has a similar race for the top spot that currently sees Lille in first by a three-point margin over Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs play on Sunday with Lille hosting Saint-Etienne while Reims pays a visit to PSG.

Italy’s Serie A may have already been sealed by Inter Milan, but the title-winners have a Saturday showdown in store on the road against the previous holders, Juventus. But of all the league fixtures in Italy this weekend, none will be fiercer than the Derby della Capitale between Roma and Lazio. Both sides sit outside the top four but that won’t take away from the derby’s intensity between the two Roman clubs when pride is on the line.

Even though one sits atop the table and the other trails by over 30 points, the heated Derby of Eternal Enemies will surely still be a promising clash between Panathinaikos and league-leaders Olympiacos in Greece’s topflight.

Know Your Opponent: Las Vegas Lights FC

After securing 3 points in a 1-0 season opening win at LA Galaxy II, all attention is fully focused on Republic FC’s opponent for the home opener at Heart Health Park – Las Vegas Lights FC.

Key Moves for Lights FC

Las Vegas made a handful of positive additions during the offseason but perhaps the most noticeable one was the announcement of a new head coach – former U.S. Men’s National Team stalwart Steve Cherundolo.

Cherundolo was appointed the position when Las Vegas announced its partnership with MLS juggernaut LAFC.

Another new name that might look familiar is Eric Iloski, as the defender now joins his brothers Brian and Milan in the professional ranks after previously impressing at UCLA.

Cherundolo was appointed the position when Las Vegas announced its partnership with MLS juggernaut LAFC.

Another new name that might look familiar is Eric Iloski, as the defender now joins his brothers Brian and Milan in the professional ranks after previously impressing at UCLA.

Lights FC acquired a pair of midfielders who could both routinely be positive presences on the pitch – Michael Yeboah and Daniel Crisostomo. Yeboah joined on loan from Ghana’s Accra Great Olympics where he scored four goals in 16 appearances – including two goals in February that earned him a nomination for the Player of the Month in the Ghana Premier League. Crisostomo brings Championship experience from his time with Orange County SC where he made more than 40 appearances.

Another intriguing acquisition for Las Vegas was goalkeeper Duncan Turnbull who joins on-loan from English-club Portsmouth FC.

Las Vegas Last Season

During a shortened season in 2020, Lights FC finished fifth in a strong Group B division by posting a 2-5-9 record.

Las Vegas has yet to qualify for the USL Championship playoffs, but there’s definitely a buzz about the club this season with a new coach at the helm and a new partnership with MLS-side LAFC.

During a shortened season in 2020, Lights FC finished fifth in a strong Group B division by posting a 2-5-9 record.

Las Vegas has yet to qualify for the USL Championship playoffs, but there’s definitely a buzz about the club this season with a new coach at the helm and a new partnership with MLS-side LAFC.

Lights FC will look to create more offensive chances this season after last year’s campaign that saw the club register the 7th most shots in the Western Conference with 252. However, the Sin City club registered the fourth-lowest goal conversion rate in the conference with 13% along with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.

Defensively, Las Vegas surrendered the fifth-most goals in the league with 34 last season.

Head-to-Head

In just four matches all-time, the Indomitable Club has secured victory over Las Vegas once during league play.

The boys in Old Glory Red’s lone win over Lights FC was a 1-0 win in Sacramento in October 2018 with Cameron Iwasa netting the game-winner in the 55th minute.

The midweek match between the two Pacific Division opponents will be just the third meeting in the California capital.

In just four matches all-time, the Indomitable Club has secured victory over Las Vegas once during league play.

The boys in Old Glory Red’s lone win over Lights FC was a 1-0 win in Sacramento in October 2018 with Cameron Iwasa netting the game-winner in the 55th minute.

The midweek match between the two Pacific Division opponents will be just the third meeting in the California capital.

Last Time They Met

It’s been well over a year since these two clubs last clashed.

A midweek matchup in early August of 2019 was the last time Las Vegas and Sacramento squared up against one another – a fixture that finished with a nil-nil score line.

During the match, SRFC midfielder Jaime Villarreal went head-to-head against his brother, Jose, and Dariusz Formella entered the match as a second half substitute – his first-ever appearance for the boys in Old Glory Red since joining the club just days before.

Wednesday’s home opener at the newly named Heart Health Park is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+, KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento.

My Debut: Dariusz Formella

Dariusz Formella’s Sacramento story all started on an August night in 2019. The Polish playmaker officially signed with the Indomitable Club on July 18, but it was August 7 at home when supporters of the boys in Old Glory Red first got a glimpse of an attacking player who continues to make his mark in the USL Championship. That match may have ended in a draw, but Formella will forever tie Lights FC to his first Sacramento moments.

Ahead of the club’s 2021 home opener against Las Vegas, Formella sat down to tell the tale of the first night he donned the kit of the Indomitable Club.

Did you know in the days leading up to the match that you might feature?

Dariusz Formella: “No, I didn't know. I was at the club, maybe three or four days already, and I remember that it was a Wednesday game, but I knew that I'm not going to start. But one day before the game, I knew that I was going to be on the bench. You never know, when you're on the bench if you will go on, but in that game I played 10 minutes.”

Dariusz Formella: “No, I didn’t know. I was at the club, maybe three or four days already, and I remember that it was a Wednesday game, but I knew that I’m not going to start. But one day before the game, I knew that I was going to be on the bench. You never know, when you’re on the bench if you will go on, but in that game I played 10 minutes.”

Were you given any hints this was likely going to be your debut?

DF: “I knew that I was on the bench and maybe before the game we had a little chat, a little talk about maybe at the end I would go on the pitch. [Late in the game] we needed a goal so [the coach] wanted me to do something for the last ten minutes but at the end of the day it was zero-zero. And that was a positive, I remember that was a positive for all those people in the stadium. I was surprised in the middle of the week, we play on a Wednesday and there was, I don’t know, around 10,000. So, I was excited, that was the first time when I saw some fireworks before the game and a little bit of a different culture – before the game the national anthem and all these things – I thought it was all very nice and I remember that very well.”

First time playing in a new league abroad, were you nervous at all?

DF: “No I wasn't nervous, but I was in the club only like three or four days and to be honest, I didn't know all the guys, the names, I didn't know all of them. But [when I came on], that was just 10 minutes, so I knew what I'm going to do. He wanted me to score, or create some opportunity to score, but I wasn't nervous. That was a situation when nobody was expecting nothing from me so I could just make a difference but if I didn't, that was okay. There wasn’t a lot of big pressure on me that game.”

DF: “No I wasn’t nervous, but I was in the club only like three or four days and to be honest, I didn’t know all the guys, the names, I didn’t know all of them. But [when I came on], that was just 10 minutes, so I knew what I’m going to do. He wanted me to score, or create some opportunity to score, but I wasn’t nervous. That was a situation when nobody was expecting nothing from me so I could just make a difference but if I didn’t, that was okay. There wasn’t a lot of big pressure on me that game.”

How were you feeling the day of the game, were you thinking a lot about it?

DF: “The whole day I was fixing a lot of things around football … stuff you setup when playing in a new country. And I basically didn't have time to think about the game, but it's okay, I fixed it! I fixed everything, at like two or 3pm, I came back home and took a nap and then I was ready for the game.”

DF: “The whole day I was fixing a lot of things around football … stuff you setup when playing in a new country. And I basically didn’t have time to think about the game, but it’s okay, I fixed it! I fixed everything, at like two or 3pm, I came back home and took a nap and then I was ready for the game.”

In that game, Jaime Villarreal went head-to-head against his brother Jose. Do you remember that brother against brother battle?

DF: “Bro, I’m not sure if I knew that Jaime was Jaime! I just knew that somebody was playing against their brother!”

What else do you remember from that first game playing for Sacramento?

DF: “I remember the atmosphere around the stadium, and I was surprised because of all the people. It was the middle of the week, so I was thinking ‘I'm in a good place and people love football here, and it’s a nice place to be’.”

DF: “I remember the atmosphere around the stadium, and I was surprised because of all the people. It was the middle of the week, so I was thinking ‘I’m in a good place and people love football here, and it’s a nice place to be’.”

Republic FC Players Learn Heart Health and Hands-Only CPR Training

Several Republic FC players and members of the staff visited Metro Fire Headquarters on Wednesday to learn about the hands-only CPR technique, including how this type of CPR can save a life in the case of a cardiac arrest.

The players – Cameron Iwasa, Shannon Gomez, Kharlton Belmar, Fatai Alashe, Hayden Sargis, Dan Casey, Jordan McCrary, Rafael Diaz, and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu – as well as three SRFC camps and clinics coaches listened as members of Metro Fire presented on the importance of heart health and the facts and figures surrounding this important health topic. The group also learned how to use an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, if one is available.

“I learned a few of the signs of how to recognize when someone is having a cardiac arrest and what techniques to do while an EMT is being dispatched,” said Jordan. “Calling 911 is very important – but providing hands only CPR while they are on their way can almost triple their survival rate.”

According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Survival of cardiac arrest depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby, and if done so, it can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and can be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and can be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

“Hands-Only CPR is a lifesaving technique that any person can learn – it was amazing to have players from Republic FC come and engage with us to learn, and to celebrate their new stadium name of Heart Health Park,” said Sacramento Metro Fire Department Public Information Officer and Captain Chris Vestal. “Healthy hearts are more than nutrition and fitness, and knowing how to respond immediately in the event of a cardiac issue is crucial.”

Artist Spotlight Contributor Nooligan Creates Limited-Edition Poster for Home Opener

During the 2021 USL Championship season, Sacramento Republic FC is celebrating the diverse arts community throughout the region and in conjunction with Arden Fair, the organizations are teaming up to launch the Artist Spotlight series.

The collective will help provide a voice and vision to several of the team’s annual celebrations this season as well as community collaborations.

To lead off the Artist Spotlight series is HaiNaNu “Nooligan” Saulque – a visual artist, independent creator and graphic designer based in Sacramento. His a one-of-a-kind Matchday poster for the Indomitable Club’s Opening Night fixture on May 12 against Las Vegas Lights FC will kick off a season long Artist Spotlight program featuring local creators.

The unique poster – presented by UC Davis Health – features a Republic FC goaltender standing tall with the loyal and boisterous Republic FC supporters cheering over his shoulder. The limited edition poster is saluting the home kickoff of the 2021 season – and can only be grabbed in the stadium, or by reserving a special fan pack.

Fans can claim a SRFC Fan Pack, including a the limited edition Nooligan print – presented by Suncrest Bank – at www.sacrepublicfc.com/fanpacks, which can be picked up at the Midtown Farmers’ Market this Saturday.

Nooligan describes his style as ‘contemporary with a flare of nostalgia. From cartoons of his youth to films he missed by decades, from golden age comics to classic newspaper strips, you will find a creator who has immersed himself in what he loves’.

As a fan of the Indoomitable Club, Nooligan is embracing the opportunity as an Artist Spotlight Contributor. Now, he’s working alongside the club he supports, and it’s been fun to create something uniquely Sacramento for other SRFC fans just like him.

“It's really an honor and a privilege,” Nooligan said. “I'm a huge, huge fan of Sacramento. I was born right downtown so it's a big thing for me to be able to do something for the city, for the club, and then all this stuff that kind of encompasses Sacramento. So, I'm very proud of it and I'm humbled and honored to be working with you guys.”

Not only is the poster something he’s hopeful the fans will enjoy as much as he has, but he’s also tremendously satisfied having provided something special to the city he calls home.

“We were able to kind of come up with a unique look and kind of playing with the day and night games and trying to kind of embody what it's like to be there,” Nooligan explained.

There’s no question Nooligan has an eye for art and a love for soccer, and his Indomitable Club-inspired work is something all SRFC supporters will want to get their hands on.

“That was one of the really exciting things about the live games, the energy of the fans, the Tower Bridge battalion. It's like the energy that kind of comes in and we tried to embody a lot of that into creating a cool, very clean and simple but trying to kind of convey the energy and everything that is those live shows and hopefully they come rolling back out that we can kind of build back up to that energy that we used to have.”

“It’s really an honor and a privilege,” Nooligan said. “I’m a huge, huge fan of Sacramento. I was born right downtown so it’s a big thing for me to be able to do something for the city, for the club, and then all this stuff that kind of encompasses Sacramento. So, I’m very proud of it and I’m humbled and honored to be working with you guys.”

Not only is the poster something he’s hopeful the fans will enjoy as much as he has, but he’s also tremendously satisfied having provided something special to the city he calls home.

“We were able to kind of come up with a unique look and kind of playing with the day and night games and trying to kind of embody what it’s like to be there,” Nooligan explained.

There’s no question Nooligan has an eye for art and a love for soccer, and his Indomitable Club-inspired work is something all SRFC supporters will want to get their hands on.

“That was one of the really exciting things about the live games, the energy of the fans, the Tower Bridge battalion. It’s like the energy that kind of comes in and we tried to embody a lot of that into creating a cool, very clean and simple but trying to kind of convey the energy and everything that is those live shows and hopefully they come rolling back out that we can kind of build back up to that energy that we used to have.”

For supporters interested in learning more about Nooligan’s unique work, be sure to tune-in to an upcoming episode of The Breakaway: A Republic FC Podcast where the artist will dive deeper into some of his other creations.

What To Watch This Weekend Across the USL: Week 3

The Indomitable Club claimed all three points from its opening match of the 2021 USL Championship campaign following a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy II last Friday.

Republic FC’s clash with Los Dos in southern California was the first of four times the two Pacific Division clubs will meet during the regular season.

Even though the boys in Old Glory Red do not take the pitch this weekend – as the squad’s next match is the 2021 Home Opener against Las Vegas Lights FC on May 12 at Heart Health Park – there’s still plenty of fantastic fixtures to watch this weekend.

The Indomitable Club claimed all three points from its opening match of the 2021 USL Championship campaign following a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy II last Friday.

Republic FC’s clash with Los Dos in southern California was the first of four times the two Pacific Division clubs will meet during the regular season.

Pacific Division Update

All the action around the Championship kicks off on Thursday night for the ESPN Game of the Week when San Diego Loyal SC visit Rio Grande Valley FC Toros at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN Deportes.

San Diego will be looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss last Friday to fellow Pacific Division side Phoenix Rising FC while RGVFC – the current club of former SRFC midfielder Rodrigo Lopez – is fresh off a 1-0 win over New Mexico United on Saturday. The win was RGV's first-ever victory in the season opener.

Last night, LA Galaxy II hosted Pacific Division opponent Las Vegas Lights FC and rebounded well from the home defeat to Republic FC by slamming five second half goals by the Sin City club en route to a 5-0 win.

Rising FC returns to the pitch on Saturday when Phoenix play host to Oakland Roots SC – the Bay Area club’s first-ever league match in the Championship.

On Sunday, LA Galaxy II play its third match of the young campaign when Los Dos welcomes Tacoma Defiance to Carson for the Pacific Northwest club’s opening match of the season.

Rising FC returns to the pitch on Saturday when Phoenix play host to Oakland Roots SC – the Bay Area club’s first-ever league match in the Championship.

On Sunday, LA Galaxy II play its third match of the young campaign when Los Dos welcomes Tacoma Defiance to Carson for the Pacific Northwest club’s opening match of the season.

Indy Eleven v FC Tulsa

The Indianapolis club is headed back to its original home – Michael A. Carroll Stadium – for the first time in three years after spending the past trio of campaigns playing at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Mike will surely be rocking for this contest against a fellow Central Division club, and fans will be hoping to cheer their side towards a second straight win to start the season after Indy downed Birmingham Legion on the road last weekend, 1-0.

FC Tulsa is off to a flying start, earning wins in both of its first two fixtures. To start the campaign, Tulsa took the Black Gold Derby with a 3-1 victory over OKC Energy FC before triumphing this past weekend over Sporting Kansas City II, 2-0. Both Dario Suarez and Joaquin Rivas have already found the back of the net twice.

El Paso Locomotive FC v New Mexico United

A regional rivalry with plenty of history.

The two clubs last clashed in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinal with El Paso advancing after a penalty shootout. Locomotive FC were a strong side last season and the club from the Lone Star State added even more firepower for 2021 with forwards Luis Solignac and Aidan Apodaca and midfielder Jose Aguinaga.

New Mexico United made a number of positive additions this offseason as well, including the midfield trio of Michael Azira, Isidro Martinez and Harry Swartz. After earning a spot in the USL Playoffs in the club’s inaugural campaign, United will hope to snag a first-ever playoff win at the end of this promising season if the side can return to the postseason. New Mexico will also hope to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at the hands of RGVFC last weekend.

Miami FC v Hartford Athletic

The Miami FC has already earned three points to start the season after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Loudoun United – despite playing down a man since the 14th minute. A pair of early strikes from Paco Craig and an own goal from Wahab Ackwei gave the hosts a two-goal lead before former SRFC midfielder Drew Skundrich’s side cut the deficit in half late in the match.

Hartford Athletic also has one win under its belt, after the club downed NY Red Bulls II, 3-2. Former SRFC player Danny Barrera opened the scoring before his side slammed two more strikes past the hosts. Hartford will be hoping to make it to the postseason for a second consecutive season and made sure to bring in reinforcements for the long campaign ahead with forward Bradford Jamieson IV and defender Thomas Janjigian leading the list of new names hoping to make an impact in 2021.

Hartford also recently played out a 2-2 draw in a midweek friendly on May 4 against New England Revolution II.

Republic FC, Western Health Advantage Re-name Stadium Heart Health Park to Promote Community Wellbeing and Health

Sacramento, Calif. – Before Republic FC kicks off the 2021 season at home, the Indomitable Club and Western Health Advantage, the Sacramento-based non-profit HMO health plan founded in 1996 with a community-based mission by doctors and health care providers, have agreed to grow their partnership.

In a first for the sports world, Western Health Advantage and Republic FC will give the team’s home field a new name – Heart Health Park, as part of a collaborative effort to call attention to the importance of community health and wellbeing, in place of the health insurance plan’s name. Heart Health Park will be the first venue with a name to directly address a global health concern, as well as serve an example of how sports teams and business leaders can stand together to invest in the fans, supporters and communities that support them. With the support of regional businesses like Western Health Advantage, an unwavering fan base and city leaders, Republic FC continues to affirm Major League Soccer’s decision to select Sacramento as an expansion club.

“Home field advantage is not just about our stadium on gameday, but the people and communities throughout the region every day. Our mission is to make Sacramento an incredible place to live, work and play, includes prioritizing the health of our family, friends and neighbors,” said Republic FC Owner and CEO Kevin Nagle. “Thanks to the incredible leadership by Western Health Advantage, we will make a bold statement about community wellbeing with Heart Health Park and continue our work to invest in Sacramento.”

“We believe in the Sacramento region, the Indomitable Spirit, the bright future of soccer and the bold efforts of Republic FC to serve our community,” said Western Health Advantage President & CEO Garry Maisel. “We’re thrilled to grow our partnership with Republic FC and inspire our region to make health and wellness a priority. Heart Health Park is symbolic of how Sacramento doesn’t back down from the big challenges, and unites to invest and improve our community day by day.”

With the support of the American Heart Association, Heart Health Park will become a community center to drive awareness and action around cardiovascular disease and related ailments. On gameday, concessions will offer heart-healthy selections, the entire staff will be CPR certified to provide life-saving support in case of an emergency, and pre-match entertainment will highlight the work of frontline workers and health experts showcasing lifestyle changes to promote heart health.

“A stadium name often transforms into a common calling for fans to rally around, and with this gift from Western Health Advantage and Republic FC, fans will be reminded about how important heart health is to community wellbeing every time they think about soccer and sports in Sacramento,” said Jessica Lannom, Executive Director of the American Heart Association’s Sacramento Division. “Heart Health Park reaffirms that we can make the healthy choice an easy choice, and that together we can do our part to improve health outcomes for all.”

Beyond gamedays, the team will extend its commitment to promoting health and wellness by opening Heart Health Park for public workouts with local fitness instructors, incorporating CPR certification into its youth soccer programming, and engaging with regional non-profits to develop additional resources and programming to put an emphasis on nutrition and an active lifestyle. In the coming months, the American Heart Association, Western Health Advantage and Republic FC will join forces to launch new heart-smart programming in schools, lift up annual events including the Heart & Stroke Walk, and more.

In the United States, one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease, accounting for one in every four deaths. Nearly 50% of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or have diabetes. Those factors contribute to the more than 350,000 incidents of cardiac arrest that occur outside of a hospital each year. With heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, disproportionately affecting women and communities of color.

Republic FC, Western Health Advantage, and the American Heart Association will collaborate on programming designed to reach high-risk populations, provide training and resources to help communities live healthier lives, and create pathways for the region to learn lifesaving skills. Together the organizations will have an increased focus on improving health equity and access through nutrition and fitness education, as well as teaching CPR which can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, if administered immediately after cardiac arrest.

Western Health Advantage has a long history of supporting the American Heart Association in its mission be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Heart Health Park will become a new resource in the local Healthy for Good movement, inspiring people to create lasting change through three core values – eat smart, move more, be well.

Heart Health Park will be the central element of Republic FC’s community health and wellness initiatives. The club has created new futsal courts for the region’s athletes to stay active, provided free meals for the region’s senior population to stay safe in the early months of the pandemic, and developed partnerships with health leaders like UC Davis Health, Whoop, Catapult, On Pace Wellness and more.

On Wednesday, May 12, Republic FC will call Heart Health Park home for the first time when the Indomitable Club hosts Las Vegas Lights FC at 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast locally on KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento, as well as streamed globally on ESPN+.

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About Western Health Advantage
Headquartered in Sacramento, Western Health Advantage is a non-profit HMO health plan with a community-based mission, founded in 1996 by local doctors and health care providers. WHA is consistently recognized for quality and delivering value to its members. With a focus on being a market leader in affordability since its inception, WHA serves 9 Northern California counties (Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Colusa, Solano, Napa, Sonoma and Marin). The WHA provider network includes major hospitals and medical centers and thousands of local, trusted doctors and specialists from several medical groups. Learn more at WesternHealth.com.

Celebrate in Style with a FREE SRFC Fan Pack!

With the 2021 USL Championship campaign underway, it’s time to get pumped up the first home match of the season. And thanks to Suncrest Bank, the Republic FC Fan Pack is back and better than ever.

Sign up at www.sacrepublicfc.com/fanpacks to claim yours before supplies run out! Each fan pack is stuffed with SRFC swag including a team button & magnet, stadium cup, Suncrest fan, and hand sanitizer.

With the 2021 USL Championship campaign underway, it’s time to get pumped up the first home match of the season. And thanks to Suncrest Bank, the Republic FC Fan Pack is back and better than ever.

The fan packs will also include a special edition match day poster commemorating the home opener match by the club’s first Artist Spotlight contributor, Nooligan. The only way to get your hands on this first feature poster is at the park on May 12, or by reserving your fan pack before supplies run out.

After you claim your Home Opener Fan Pack, head down to the Midtown Farmers’ Market this Saturday to pick up you SRFC swag and get ready to cheer on the boys in Old Glory Red.

Around the Leagues: Mammoth Matches Coming Up

Friday night marked the first regular season match for the boys in Old Glory Red – a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy II in southern California.

Tucker Bone’s second half strike ultimately proved to be the difference against Los Dos – a team Republic FC will clash with three more times before the 2021 playoffs.

A pair of other Championship matchups went down on Friday night with Phoenix Rising FC downing San Diego Loyal SC, 4-1, after Hartford Athletic beat Red Bulls II 3-2 in New York.

The following day in USL play, Tampa Bay Rowdies triumphed 3-0 over Charlotte Independence, Indy Eleven beat Legion 1-0 in Birmingham, RGV FC Toros earned a 1-0 home win over New Mexico United and San Antonio FC netted a trio of strikes to defeat Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 3-0.

Friday night marked the first regular season match for the boys in Old Glory Red – a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy II in southern California.

Tucker Bone’s second half strike ultimately proved to be the difference against Los Dos – a team Republic FC will clash with three more times before the 2021 playoffs.

A pair of other Championship matchups went down on Friday night with Phoenix Rising FC downing San Diego Loyal SC, 4-1, after Hartford Athletic beat Red Bulls II 3-2 in New York.

Major League Soccer

The USL action continued throughout the weekend, as did league play in Major League Soccer with New England Revolution pulling out a 2-1 win over Atlanta United followed by FC Dallas earning all three points by a 4-1 score line over Portland Timbers. The following day, Seattle Sounders FC slammed three goals by LA Galaxy for a 3-0 win in the Pacific Northwest.

This coming weekend, there’s plenty more MLS play to look forward to including Saturday’s heavyweight bouts headlined by Columbus Crew SC hosting DC United, Houston Dynamo visiting FC Dallas in a Texas-sized showdown and LA Galaxy welcoming LAFC to Carson for another edition of El Trafico.

On Sunday, Inter Miami host Atlanta United before Seattle Sounders head south to take on Timbers in Portland.

NWSL Challenge Cup

The NWSL Challenge Cup has been an entertaining one since the opening match in early April but the competition is coming to a close with the Final set for this Saturday at 10 a.m. PT when Portland Thorns clash with Gotham FC.

Both sides finished atop their respective groups, combining for a total of five wins from a total of eight matches and never once tasting defeat in each of their matches. Gotham FC’s final match ended in a nil-nil draw against Racing Louisville while Portland Thorns played out a 1-1 draw against Houston Dash with Christine Sinclair netting the equalizer in the 77th minute.

The final match of the NWSL Challenge Cup group stages ended on Monday night with OL Reign picking up a 2-1 road win over Kansas City.

Champions League: Domestic and Abroad

In the Concacaf Champions League play, the second leg of the quarterfinals kickoff on Tuesday night with Philadelphia Union hoping to hold onto its 3-0 aggregate lead over Atlanta United. The other MLS-side competing on Tuesday night is Toronto FC visiting Liga MX’s Cruz Azul and hoping to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

On Wednesday, a pair of additional Concacaf Champions League fixtures are set to play out with Columbus Crew SC traveling to Mexico to take on Monterrey following a 2-2 result in the first leg and Portland Timbers heading to Mexico City in an attempt to break the 1-1 first leg deadlock against Club America.

The UEFA Champions League is approaching the second leg of the semifinals with the first match set to kickoff Tuesday afternoon when Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-1 aggregate. If City manages to advance, it will be the Blues first-ever trip to the UCL Final. On Wednesday with the aggregate tied 1-1, Chelsea and Real Madrid have everything to play for when the two European giants meet in West London.

Major European Leagues

In the UEFA Europa League, both semifinal showdowns will kickoff at the same time on Thursday when Manchester United takes its commanding 6-2 aggregate lead to Italy to clash with AS Roma while Arsenal FC will be hoping to overcome a 2-1 deficit against Spanish-side Villarreal.

The day before the Europa League contests, it’s the O Classico clash in Portugal’s topflight when Benfica host Porto. Benfica – currently in third place – trail Porto by just four points with four fixtures remaining this season. Porto trail its crosstown rival – Sporting CP – but six points through 30 games played.

In France on Friday, Lille can take another step towards winning the league title if the club can secure all three points on the road against a strong Lens-side currently in fifth place. A few days later on Sunday, second-place PSG – who trail the league-leaders by just a single point – visit seven place Stade Rennes.

Once the weekend rolls around, it’s a swift return to the pitch for both of England’s UCL semifinalists as table-toppers Manchester City host fourth-place Chelsea on Saturday.

Saturday also sees the new champions of Italy take the pitch when Inter Milan host Sampdoria. The 1-1 draw between Atalanta and Sassuolo solidified the Scudetto to the Nerazzurri this past Sunday. Inter ended Juventus’s nine-year reign as domestic champions and on the heels of handing over the league title, the Old Lady of Italy – currently in third place – host a fourth-place AC Milan-side that is level on points with Juve.

The Bundesliga in Germany has a pair of crucial clashes this Saturday and it starts with Borussia Dortmund hoping to climb back into the top four but will need to pick up points against a strong RB Leipzig-side that’s currently in second place. Third-place Wolfsburg will look to continue fighting for a spot in the Champions League next season but will need to secure points at home against eight-place Union Berlin.

Spain’s La Liga also has two goliath games this weekend with the first kicking off on Saturday when table-toppers Atletico Madrid with 76 points visit the Nou Camp to take on third-place Barcelona sitting on 74 points. Barca is currently level on points with second-place Real Madrid who host fourth-place Sevilla FC on Sunday. Sevilla currently have 70 points and all four clubs have played 34 matches this season.

Top European leagues aside, two of the biggest rivalries in the world are set to occur this weekend in Turkey on Saturday and the Netherlands on Sunday.

Once the weekend rolls around, it’s a swift return to the pitch for both of England’s UCL semifinalists as table-toppers Manchester City host fourth-place Chelsea on Saturday.

Top European leagues aside, two of the biggest rivalries in the world are set to occur this weekend in Turkey on Saturday and the Netherlands on Sunday.

This Saturday, third-place Galatasaray are hoping to stay in the title-hunt when the Istanbul club hosts crosstown rivals and current league leaders Besiktas. Fixtures between the two clubs from the Turkish capitol are always an intense affair, on and off the pitch, as both sides who regularly compete for domestic silverware have extremely passionate supporters.

This season, Galatasaray sit on 75 points – one behind local rival Fenerbahce – while Besiktas sit on the summit of the standings with 81 points.

In the Netherlands on Sunday, it’s De Klassieker when Ajax Amsterdam visit Feyenoord Rotherdam. Ajax are comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 79 points, but Feyenoord will no question bring everything they have to the match as there’s major pride on the line to perform well and make supporters proud for the biggest derby in the country.

This season, Galatasaray sit on 75 points – one behind local rival Fenerbahce – while Besiktas sit on the summit of the standings with 81 points.

Republic FC Family Expands With Lincoln FC

Republic FC’s exciting play on-the-field is complemented by its endeavors off-the-field to make the region an incredible place to live, work, and play by magnifying the beautiful game. Through an innovative youth soccer program, the Indomitable Club is working hand-in-hand with the dedicated youth club staff and coaches that are teaching the next generation of soccer players in our community.

Earlier this year, Republic FC launched its Youth Club Partner program to give local clubs a boost in working with their players and helping grow the game club by club. Lincoln Youth Soccer Club and its competitive club Lincoln FC have the honor of becoming Republic FC’s first Youth Club Partner.

“Lincoln FC is excited to partner with Sacramento Republic FC,” said Lincoln FC President Marc Boisvert. “This a major step that will have a huge impact on the club and the Lincoln community.

Lincoln FC’s 1,200 players are now interconnected to the Indomitable Club. Not only will Lincoln FC add the Youth Club Partner patch to their kit – showing their Indomitable spirit, but they will also be spotlighted spotlights on Republic FC’s website and social media channels, have special access to tickets, and be the first to entertain exclusive appearances from players and coaches throughout the season.

Placer County’s Lincoln Youth Soccer Club (LYSC) was established in 1978, and its competitive teams – under the Lincoln FC banner — compete in NorCal Premier. In late May and early June, Lincoln FC will open tryouts for players excited about being a part of the Republic FC family. For more information on Lincoln FC, visit https://www.lincolnfc.org/.

Want your youth club to become our next Official Youth Club Partner?

Sign up now or share the Official Youth Club Partner page with your club administrator today!

“Lincoln FC is excited to partner with Sacramento Republic FC,” said Lincoln FC President Marc Boisvert. “This a major step that will have a huge impact on the club and the Lincoln community.

Want your youth club to become our next Official Youth Club Partner?

Sign up now or share the Official Youth Club Partner page with your club administrator today!