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The first of four Donner Pass Derbies is set to take place during the second weekend of the restart of the USL Championship regular season and next Sunday’s evening rivalry clash will be nationally televised on ESPN 2. 

The first of four Donner Pass Derbies is set to take place during the second weekend of the restart of the USL Championship regular season and next Sunday’s evening rivalry clash will be nationally televised on ESPN 2. 

When the boys in Old Glory Red host Reno 1868 FC on the national stage on July 19, it will be the first time since the 2019 Western Conference Quarterfinal clash when Republic FC upset second-seeded Reno in Nevada to advance to the Semifinals. It was the first and only time the regional rivals met during postseason play. 

When the boys in Old Glory Red host Reno 1868 FC on the national stage on July 19, it will be the first time since the 2019 Western Conference Quarterfinal clash when Republic FC upset second-seeded Reno in Nevada to advance to the Semifinals. It was the first and only time the regional rivals met during postseason play. 

Reno visits the California Capital for the second time this season on Saturday, September 2 and hosts the Indomitable Club for a midweek showdown on Wednesday, August 12 and again on Saturday, September 26. 

Republic FC split the season series in all competitions with 1868 FC in 2019, 2-2, but the boys in Old Glory Red can hang their hats on having ended both of Reno’s cup runs in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as the 2019 USL Championship Cup playoffs. 

Reno visits the California Capital for the second time this season on Saturday, September 2 and hosts the Indomitable Club for a midweek showdown on Wednesday, August 12 and again on Saturday, September 26. 

Republic FC split the season series in all competitions with 1868 FC in 2019, 2-2, but the boys in Old Glory Red can hang their hats on having ended both of Reno’s cup runs in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as the 2019 USL Championship Cup playoffs. 

The Championship Cup Semifinal showdown ended in a 3-1 win for the boys in Old Glory Red on the road with Sam Werner, Cameron Iwasa and Thomas Enevoldsen each finding the back of the net. Republic FC’s Open Cup earlier in the season was a dramatic 1-0 win at Papa Murphy’s Park with Werner netting another against the Nevadan-club. 

The Championship Cup Semifinal showdown ended in a 3-1 win for the boys in Old Glory Red on the road with Sam Werner, Cameron Iwasa and Thomas Enevoldsen each finding the back of the net. Republic FC’s Open Cup earlier in the season was a dramatic 1-0 win at Papa Murphy’s Park with Werner netting another against the Nevadan-club. 

In the all-time series during Championship play though, Reno has the upper hand. Republic FC is a mere 1-5-1 against their I-80 rivals and has never beaten 1868 FC in Sacramento during regular season play. Last year, Reno earned a victory in both regular season fixtures. 

Following a 2019 campaign that saw Reno record a franchise-best 60 points while finishing second in the conference only behind record-shattering Phoenix Rising FC, there’s no reason to think Head Coach Ian Russell’s will fade one bit. 

In the all-time series during Championship play though, Reno has the upper hand. Republic FC is a mere 1-5-1 against their I-80 rivals and has never beaten 1868 FC in Sacramento during regular season play. Last year, Reno earned a victory in both regular season fixtures. 

Following a 2019 campaign that saw Reno record a franchise-best 60 points while finishing second in the conference only behind record-shattering Phoenix Rising FC, there’s no reason to think Head Coach Ian Russell’s will fade one bit. 

Returning to Reno this season is prolific USL striker Corey Hertzog who netted 19 goals last season and climbed his way to fourth-most in league history with 62. He’ll be joined on the attacking front with newly acquired forward Foster Langsdorf from Portland Timbers 2 and Christiano Francois from Ottawa Fury. 

Returning to Reno this season is prolific USL striker Corey Hertzog who netted 19 goals last season and climbed his way to fourth-most in league history with 62. He’ll be joined on the attacking front with newly acquired forward Foster Langsdorf from Portland Timbers 2 and Christiano Francois from Ottawa Fury. 

1868 FC already nabbed one win this season, a 3-1 win in Washington over Tacoma Defiance. Despite surrendering an early lead, Reno rallied with three unanswered goals including a goal and an assist from newcomer Francois. 

1868 FC already nabbed one win this season, a 3-1 win in Washington over Tacoma Defiance. Despite surrendering an early lead, Reno rallied with three unanswered goals including a goal and an assist from newcomer Francois. 

The USL Championship regular season has been tweaked down to 16 games and of those, one quarter of Republic FC’s remaining fixtures will be against fellow Division A opposition, Portland Timbers 2.

The USL Championship regular season has been tweaked down to 16 games and of those, one quarter of Republic FC’s remaining fixtures will be against fellow Division A opposition, Portland Timbers 2.

The first meeting between the two Western Conference foes will be Saturday, August 8 in Portland – the second match of a three-game road trip for the boys in Old Glory Red. The Indomitable Club returns to the Pacific Northwest to take on T2 for a Wednesday evening midweek clash on September 2. 

The first meeting between the two Western Conference foes will be Saturday, August 8 in Portland – the second match of a three-game road trip for the boys in Old Glory Red. The Indomitable Club returns to the Pacific Northwest to take on T2 for a Wednesday evening midweek clash on September 2. 

Republic FC’s final match of the 2020 Championship campaign closes against T2 at home on Saturday, October 3. The first fixture in Sacramento between the two clubs is slated for Saturday, August 22. 

In the overall series against T2, SRFC has the upper hand with a 6-5-0 record across 11 contests. But in Portland, the Indomitable Club is just 2-4-0 and hasn’t beaten T2 in Oregon since August 2017 – a 1-0 win for SRFC. 

Republic FC’s final match of the 2020 Championship campaign closes against T2 at home on Saturday, October 3. The first fixture in Sacramento between the two clubs is slated for Saturday, August 22. 

In the overall series against T2, SRFC has the upper hand with a 6-5-0 record across 11 contests. But in Portland, the Indomitable Club is just 2-4-0 and hasn’t beaten T2 in Oregon since August 2017 – a 1-0 win for SRFC. 

An interesting statistic about this series is typically whoever scores, wins, as 10 of the 11 meetings have resulted in the victor blanking the opposition. The lone game where both sides scored was the very first matchup, a 2-1 win for T2, and ever since that fixture there have been 10 consecutive clean sheets. 

An interesting statistic about this series is typically whoever scores, wins, as 10 of the 11 meetings have resulted in the victor blanking the opposition. The lone game where both sides scored was the very first matchup, a 2-1 win for T2, and ever since that fixture there have been 10 consecutive clean sheets. 

The home side has also been victorious in the previous four consecutive matchups. 

The 2019 series was split one win-a-piece with both sides’ snagging a 1-0 win on home soil. Looking ahead to the 2020 meetings, Republic FC would be wise not to overlook T2’s opening game of the campaign, a 3-0 loss to Phoenix Rising FC – a club that shattered USL records a season ago. A shutout shouldn’t phase T2 too much, as the club scored 71 goals last season which was fifth best in the entire league.  

The home side has also been victorious in the previous four consecutive matchups. 

The 2019 series was split one win-a-piece with both sides’ snagging a 1-0 win on home soil. Looking ahead to the 2020 meetings, Republic FC would be wise not to overlook T2’s opening game of the campaign, a 3-0 loss to Phoenix Rising FC – a club that shattered USL records a season ago. A shutout shouldn’t phase T2 too much, as the club scored 71 goals last season which was fifth best in the entire league.  

The T2 attack last season wasn’t necessarily anchored by just one single goal scorer, as six different players registered six goals or more following the 2019 campaign. Of the half dozen, three are currently listed on the Timbers 2 roster including Ryan Sierakowski (8 goals), Brayan Hurtado (7 goals) and Todd Wharton (6 goals). 

The T2 attack last season wasn’t necessarily anchored by just one single goal scorer, as six different players registered six goals or more following the 2019 campaign. Of the half dozen, three are currently listed on the Timbers 2 roster including Ryan Sierakowski (8 goals), Brayan Hurtado (7 goals) and Todd Wharton (6 goals). 

But the real player to keep tabs on in Portland’s squad is 20-year-old Oregon-native Carlos Anguiano who collected five assists in 2019. The midfielder was named to the 2019 USL 20 Under 20 and if he takes another positive step in his career, he could blossom into one of the league’s shining young stars. 

But the real player to keep tabs on in Portland’s squad is 20-year-old Oregon-native Carlos Anguiano who collected five assists in 2019. The midfielder was named to the 2019 USL 20 Under 20 and if he takes another positive step in his career, he could blossom into one of the league’s shining young stars. 

With Tacoma Defiance being the Indomitable Club’s opening match of the return to the USL Championship campaign, there’s no better team to start with an in-dept analysis of regarding Republic FC’s trio of Division A opponents. 

With Tacoma Defiance being the Indomitable Club’s opening match of the return to the USL Championship campaign, there’s no better team to start with an in-dept analysis of regarding Republic FC’s trio of Division A opponents. 

Tacoma is a tricky team to play in the Pacific Northwest, but Republic FC is a flawless eight wins from eight encounters when the two clubs clash in Sacramento. The last two home games against Defiance both resulted in favorable 3-0 wins for Republic FC and the boys in Old Glory Red have managed to keep clean sheets in four consecutive home matches against Tacoma. 

Tacoma is a tricky team to play in the Pacific Northwest, but Republic FC is a flawless eight wins from eight encounters when the two clubs clash in Sacramento. The last two home games against Defiance both resulted in favorable 3-0 wins for Republic FC and the boys in Old Glory Red have managed to keep clean sheets in four consecutive home matches against Tacoma. 

It’s been 380 minutes since Defiance last scored a goal against the Indomitable Club in the California Capital. 

But Tacoma isn’t a team to be taken lightly, as Defiance pulled off a 2-1 win in Washington over Republic FC last season and the Pacific Northwest club finished the 2019 regular season on a five-game unbeaten run which offered a beacon of hope heading into 2020 after posting the second-worst record in the Western Conference. 

It’s been 380 minutes since Defiance last scored a goal against the Indomitable Club in the California Capital. 

But Tacoma isn’t a team to be taken lightly, as Defiance pulled off a 2-1 win in Washington over Republic FC last season and the Pacific Northwest club finished the 2019 regular season on a five-game unbeaten run which offered a beacon of hope heading into 2020 after posting the second-worst record in the Western Conference. 

When the regular season resumes next week, the Indomitable Club will welcome Tacoma to Papa Murphy’s Park for both sides’ first competitive match in over four months. The first of which is a July 13 home fixture and the club host Defiance again on September 19 for SRFC’s second-to-last regular season home game. Republic FC will travel twice to Tacoma – once on August 15 and again on September 30. 

When the regular season resumes next week, the Indomitable Club will welcome Tacoma to Papa Murphy’s Park for both sides’ first competitive match in over four months. The first of which is a July 13 home fixture and the club host Defiance again on September 19 for SRFC’s second-to-last regular season home game. Republic FC will travel twice to Tacoma – once on August 15 and again on September 30. 

While Republic FC played out a 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa in early-March, Tacoma is one of the few clubs that managed to log two matches before the suspension of the regular season. Defiance dropped both matches so the break in play may have done some good for the team from Washington. 

The opening loss for Tacoma was a 3-1 loss to 2019’s Western Conference regular season runners-up Reno 1868 FC. Against a strong 1868 FC side, Defiance took a 1-0 lead into the half by way of Chris Hegardt before Reno ran up the scoreboard with three unanswered second half strikes. Days later, Tacoma suffered its second straight loss when Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC downed Defiance, 2-1. 

While Republic FC played out a 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa in early-March, Tacoma is one of the few clubs that managed to log two matches before the suspension of the regular season. Defiance dropped both matches so the break in play may have done some good for the team from Washington. 

The opening loss for Tacoma was a 3-1 loss to 2019’s Western Conference regular season runners-up Reno 1868 FC. Against a strong 1868 FC side, Defiance took a 1-0 lead into the half by way of Chris Hegardt before Reno ran up the scoreboard with three unanswered second half strikes. Days later, Tacoma suffered its second straight loss when Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC downed Defiance, 2-1. 

Forward Justin Dhillon scored his sides’ lone goal in the game against San Diego and the striker will be a key figure on the attacking front for his club – unless MLS-side Seattle Sounders FC sign Dhillon to a deal like the reigning MLS Cup champions did in 2019. Last season, the former LA Galaxy Academy striker scored a team-best 12 goals in 25 appearances with Tacoma.  

Forward Justin Dhillon scored his sides’ lone goal in the game against San Diego and the striker will be a key figure on the attacking front for his club – unless MLS-side Seattle Sounders FC sign Dhillon to a deal like the reigning MLS Cup champions did in 2019. Last season, the former LA Galaxy Academy striker scored a team-best 12 goals in 25 appearances with Tacoma.  

To reinforce a backline that surrendered 82 goals last year, Tacoma signed the Championship’s all-time leader in regular season minutes – defender Taylor Mueller – from Charleston Battery. The 31-year-old was honored as a 2018 Championship All-League Team recipient so there’s still plenty of life left in those veteran legs. 

To play alongside the veteran are a pair of promising youngsters, midfielder Azriel Gonzalez and forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez who has already signed a Homegrown contract with Sounders FC. Ocampo-Chavez and Gonzalez combined for double digit goals in 2019 and are expected to be staples in the club’s starting eleven this season.  

To reinforce a backline that surrendered 82 goals last year, Tacoma signed the Championship’s all-time leader in regular season minutes – defender Taylor Mueller – from Charleston Battery. The 31-year-old was honored as a 2018 Championship All-League Team recipient so there’s still plenty of life left in those veteran legs. 

To play alongside the veteran are a pair of promising youngsters, midfielder Azriel Gonzalez and forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez who has already signed a Homegrown contract with Sounders FC. Ocampo-Chavez and Gonzalez combined for double digit goals in 2019 and are expected to be staples in the club’s starting eleven this season.  

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  — Republic FC’s revised schedule for the 2020 USL Championship season will bring live professional sports back to Sacramento for the first time since mid-March, with the Indomitable Club set to return to the home pitch on July 13 against Tacoma Defiance. Monday’s match will be the first professional sports league competition in California since pandemic paused league play around the country. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  — Republic FC’s revised schedule for the 2020 USL Championship season will bring live professional sports back to Sacramento for the first time since mid-March, with the Indomitable Club set to return to the home pitch on July 13 against Tacoma Defiance. Monday’s match will be the first professional sports league competition in California since pandemic paused league play around the country. 

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent Sacramento on this stage and be a source of pride and togetherness for our region,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Gumpert. “We need that now more than ever.”

The new, 16-game season format – regional group play to limit travel that leads up to a single-elimination playoff – will resume on July 11. The remaining regular-season games will be played over 13 weeks, concluding on the weekend of October 2-4.

Republic FC will join Group A with Reno 1868 FC, Tacoma Defiance, and Portland Timbers 2, playing each opponent four times. The Indomitable Club will crossover and face Western Conference Group B opponents LA Galaxy II and San Diego Loyal SC on the road and Orange County SC at home to complete the 16-game season. Republic FC opened the season with a 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa on March 7.  

Following the decision of county health officials, the July matches will be played without fans in attendance.  The club will continue to work with local health officials and medical experts to explore options and potential opportunities to create a safe environment for hosting limited fans later in the season.

Without its famed supporters in the stands, Republic FC has developed new ways for fans to be included on match day. Thirty minutes before kickoff, Live from the Pitch with Connor Sutton – the club’s new pregame show on Facebook – will give fans a new matchday perspective with interviews, Q&A with club insiders, and live look-ins to warm-ups. During the match, fans can join the club’s virtual watch party where they can interact with other fans, participate in games and contests, and be featured in the club’s match telecast while cheering for the boys in Old Glory Red. To join a watch party in English or Spanish, fans can RSVP at www.sacrepublicfc.com.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent Sacramento on this stage and be a source of pride and togetherness for our region,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Gumpert. “We need that now more than ever.”

The new, 16-game season format – regional group play to limit travel that leads up to a single-elimination playoff – will resume on July 11. The remaining regular-season games will be played over 13 weeks, concluding on the weekend of October 2-4.

Republic FC will join Group A with Reno 1868 FC, Tacoma Defiance, and Portland Timbers 2, playing each opponent four times. The Indomitable Club will crossover and face Western Conference Group B opponents LA Galaxy II and San Diego Loyal SC on the road and Orange County SC at home to complete the 16-game season. Republic FC opened the season with a 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa on March 7.  

Following the decision of county health officials, the July matches will be played without fans in attendance.  The club will continue to work with local health officials and medical experts to explore options and potential opportunities to create a safe environment for hosting limited fans later in the season.

Without its famed supporters in the stands, Republic FC has developed new ways for fans to be included on match day. Thirty minutes before kickoff, Live from the Pitch with Connor Sutton – the club’s new pregame show on Facebook – will give fans a new matchday perspective with interviews, Q&A with club insiders, and live look-ins to warm-ups. During the match, fans can join the club’s virtual watch party where they can interact with other fans, participate in games and contests, and be featured in the club’s match telecast while cheering for the boys in Old Glory Red. To join a watch party in English or Spanish, fans can RSVP at www.sacrepublicfc.com.

Download Schedule PDF

Download Schedule PDF

Weekend matches consume the bulk of the schedule with 9 of the 15 contests occurring on Saturdays. The lone Sunday match on July 19 at home against Reno 1868 FC will kick off the first regular-season derby and will be featured on ESPN2. The club also has four midweek contests and one Monday evening matchup. Of the 15 remaining matches, two-thirds of the games will take place in August or September with both months seeing the boys in Old Glory Red play five times.

KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento will air Republic FC home and away matches, with both networks leading local coverage. During nationally televised matches on July 13 (ESPN Deportes) and July 19 (ESPN2), the local broadcast will provide a complementary feed – a KQCA My58 English broadcast on July 13 and an Estrella TV Sacramento Spanish broadcast on July 13. Viewers in the greater Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area will be able to watch game broadcasts in Spanish via Estrella TV Sacramento on digital channel 58.3, Xfinity 377, Charter 200, Consolidate Communications 16, Rancho Murieta 179 and Volcano Vision 447.  

Through a USL Championship partnership, all remaining Republic FC regular-season matches will be simulcast on the ESPN+ platform, available on desktop, mobile devices, and other streaming services. 

For more information, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.

# # #

Weekend matches consume the bulk of the schedule with 9 of the 15 contests occurring on Saturdays. The lone Sunday match on July 19 at home against Reno 1868 FC will kick off the first regular-season derby and will be featured on ESPN2. The club also has four midweek contests and one Monday evening matchup. Of the 15 remaining matches, two-thirds of the games will take place in August or September with both months seeing the boys in Old Glory Red play five times.

KQCA My58 and Estrella TV Sacramento will air Republic FC home and away matches, with both networks leading local coverage. During nationally televised matches on July 13 (ESPN Deportes) and July 19 (ESPN2), the local broadcast will provide a complementary feed – a KQCA My58 English broadcast on July 13 and an Estrella TV Sacramento Spanish broadcast on July 13. Viewers in the greater Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area will be able to watch game broadcasts in Spanish via Estrella TV Sacramento on digital channel 58.3, Xfinity 377, Charter 200, Consolidate Communications 16, Rancho Murieta 179 and Volcano Vision 447.  

Through a USL Championship partnership, all remaining Republic FC regular-season matches will be simulcast on the ESPN+ platform, available on desktop, mobile devices, and other streaming services. 

For more information, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.

# # #

Live professional sports return to Sacramento for the first time since mid-March as Republic FC host Tacoma Defiance at Papa Murphy’s Park at 7:00 p.m. on July 13, as part of the restart to the 2020 USL Championship Season. Soccer continues to lead American sports leagues in a safe return to play and the USL Championship will be on display with five matches on the ESPN family of networks. 

The Indomitable Club will wrap up the league’s restart weekend with its Monday match-up which will be locally broadcast on KQCA My 58 as well as nationally broadcast in Spanish language on ESPN Deportes.

With community health and safety as the highest priority, and after consultation with county health officials, this match will be played without fans in attendance. The club continues to work with local health officials and medical experts to explore options and potential opportunities to create a safe environment for hosting limited fans later in the season.

Republic FC fans can still make their voices heard! 

To keep fans connected with the matchday experience, fans are encouraged to join a new pre-game show and virtual watch party simulcast. 

Thirty minutes before kickoff, Live from the Pitch with Connor Sutton – the club’s new pregame show on Facebook – will give fans a new matchday perspective with interviews, Q&A with club insiders, and live look-ins to warm-ups. 

During the match, fans can join the club’s virtual watch party simulcast where they can interact with other fans, participate in games and contests, and be featured in the club’s match telecast while cheering for the boys in Old Glory Red. 

To join a watch party, fans can RSVP at www.sacrepublicfc.com/virtual-watch-parties.

The full schedule will be announced soon but mark your calendars now for a return to play on July 13. 

Live professional sports return to Sacramento for the first time since mid-March as Republic FC host Tacoma Defiance at Papa Murphy’s Park at 7:00 p.m. on July 13, as part of the restart to the 2020 USL Championship Season. Soccer continues to lead American sports leagues in a safe return to play and the USL Championship will be on display with five matches on the ESPN family of networks. 

The Indomitable Club will wrap up the league’s restart weekend with its Monday match-up which will be locally broadcast on KQCA My 58 as well as nationally broadcast in Spanish language on ESPN Deportes.

With community health and safety as the highest priority, and after consultation with county health officials, this match will be played without fans in attendance. The club continues to work with local health officials and medical experts to explore options and potential opportunities to create a safe environment for hosting limited fans later in the season.

Republic FC fans can still make their voices heard! 

To keep fans connected with the matchday experience, fans are encouraged to join a new pre-game show and virtual watch party simulcast. 

Thirty minutes before kickoff, Live from the Pitch with Connor Sutton – the club’s new pregame show on Facebook – will give fans a new matchday perspective with interviews, Q&A with club insiders, and live look-ins to warm-ups. 

During the match, fans can join the club’s virtual watch party simulcast where they can interact with other fans, participate in games and contests, and be featured in the club’s match telecast while cheering for the boys in Old Glory Red. 

To join a watch party, fans can RSVP at www.sacrepublicfc.com/virtual-watch-parties.

The full schedule will be announced soon but mark your calendars now for a return to play on July 13. 

The pandemic put sports around the globe on hold but for the first time since early March, the Indomitable Club can once again start focus on upcoming oppositions in its quest for Championship Cup glory. 

On June 24, the USL Championship announced the current training moratorium would be lifted, paving the way for a return to full-squad training. Ever since the regular season hiatus, the squad has been training diligently on their own, but now it’s as if the team has returned to preseason training – despite having one regular season fixture already under their belts. 

Even though Mark Briggs’ men are one game into the 2020 campaign through July, the entire Republic FC team is just thrilled to be back in full force training and returning to their primary passion. 

The pandemic put sports around the globe on hold but for the first time since early March, the Indomitable Club can once again start focus on upcoming oppositions in its quest for Championship Cup glory. 

On June 24, the USL Championship announced the current training moratorium would be lifted, paving the way for a return to full-squad training. Ever since the regular season hiatus, the squad has been training diligently on their own, but now it’s as if the team has returned to preseason training – despite having one regular season fixture already under their belts. 

Even though Mark Briggs’ men are one game into the 2020 campaign through July, the entire Republic FC team is just thrilled to be back in full force training and returning to their primary passion. 

“It feels absolutely amazing, for all of us soccer has been our whole life so to have a weird circumstance occur like this where we can’t really play soccer, it’s been pretty difficult but to be able to be back on the field is an amazing feeling,” SRFC winger Villyan Bijev said. “We’re able to really express ourselves again and showcase our talents and abilities, it really feels like we have a purpose. I’m just excited to have games to start again, even if the club and the state decides we’re not able to have fans, I know they’ll be supporting us from home. Just to be able to be able to give them that joy and that pleasure of watching us and rooting us on, and to know that they’re watching and rooting, it’s amazing.”

Bijev and the boys in Old Glory Red are beaming with delight since the return to training at Papa Murphy’s Park. What started weeks back in small groups is now a full-team training session, and even though the squad should be midway through the season, it almost feels like training is back to what it was before the USL Championship campaign kicked off. 

“It’s basically a mini-preseason all over again,” Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs said. “We’ve just been preparing, retouching on the expectations and philosophies that we went over in our initial preseason and making sure we’re fine tuning their bodies and technical skills.” 

“It feels absolutely amazing, for all of us soccer has been our whole life so to have a weird circumstance occur like this where we can’t really play soccer, it’s been pretty difficult but to be able to be back on the field is an amazing feeling,” SRFC winger Villyan Bijev said. “We’re able to really express ourselves again and showcase our talents and abilities, it really feels like we have a purpose. I’m just excited to have games to start again, even if the club and the state decides we’re not able to have fans, I know they’ll be supporting us from home. Just to be able to be able to give them that joy and that pleasure of watching us and rooting us on, and to know that they’re watching and rooting, it’s amazing.”

Bijev and the boys in Old Glory Red are beaming with delight since the return to training at Papa Murphy’s Park. What started weeks back in small groups is now a full-team training session, and even though the squad should be midway through the season, it almost feels like training is back to what it was before the USL Championship campaign kicked off. 

“It’s basically a mini-preseason all over again,” Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs said. “We’ve just been preparing, retouching on the expectations and philosophies that we went over in our initial preseason and making sure we’re fine tuning their bodies and technical skills.” 

There’s definitely work to be done, and plenty of it as Sacramento prepares for the restart of the regular season which can resume as early as July 11. The full schedule, however, has been tweaked down to a 16-game regular season and clubs are divided into eight groups followed by a single-elimination playoff. Republic FC – having drawn 1-1 against FC Tulsa in March – has 15 fixtures remaining and most will be against their Division A oppositions: Reno 1868 FC, Tacoma Defiance and Portland Timbers 2. 

Even with the shortened season and not knowing the exact dates and times of upcoming matches, the team is just grateful and appreciative to be returning to the game they love. 

“Just being back out here is one of the nicest things,” Briggs said. “When you’re in quarantine and you’re away, you miss the little things like the sound the ball makes when it’s struck cleanly and the smell of the grass. It’s just nice to be out here and have the camaraderie with the players.”

Being with the guys, working towards a goal, getting some hard work in under the mid-day sun – it’s all well and good – but there’s another glaring reason the squad is stoked to be back on the field. 

“To compete,” Bijev said confidently. “I know the reason I play this sport is because I love to compete. I love to go up against other teams and show them everything we have and have been working on. Now it’s time to go win some games.”

There’s definitely work to be done, and plenty of it as Sacramento prepares for the restart of the regular season which can resume as early as July 11. The full schedule, however, has been tweaked down to a 16-game regular season and clubs are divided into eight groups followed by a single-elimination playoff. Republic FC – having drawn 1-1 against FC Tulsa in March – has 15 fixtures remaining and most will be against their Division A oppositions: Reno 1868 FC, Tacoma Defiance and Portland Timbers 2. 

Even with the shortened season and not knowing the exact dates and times of upcoming matches, the team is just grateful and appreciative to be returning to the game they love. 

“Just being back out here is one of the nicest things,” Briggs said. “When you’re in quarantine and you’re away, you miss the little things like the sound the ball makes when it’s struck cleanly and the smell of the grass. It’s just nice to be out here and have the camaraderie with the players.”

Being with the guys, working towards a goal, getting some hard work in under the mid-day sun – it’s all well and good – but there’s another glaring reason the squad is stoked to be back on the field. 

“To compete,” Bijev said confidently. “I know the reason I play this sport is because I love to compete. I love to go up against other teams and show them everything we have and have been working on. Now it’s time to go win some games.”

Ever since the inaugural match in 2014, Scott Rosenquist has been a loyal supporter of the boys in Old Glory Red. 

He was in the stands for the very first fixture and after a season that culminated in a title-winning run, Rosenquist has been a season ticket holder and member of the Tower Bridge Battalion ever since. 

“I wasn’t actually a big soccer fan before Sac Republic, so Sac Republic turned me,” Rosenquist confessed. “I remember a friend of mine was telling me about this group called the Tower Bridge Battalion that he was joining for the first season. He says they’re the guys that cheer, stand up the entire match and I was like, OK, that’s crazy, I am not standing and cheering for an entire 90-minute match but after the first season I was like, I want to be part of them!”

The passionate and proud SRFC fan stood by his word, and not only does he attend as many matches as possible, he also covers the Indomitable Club for the podcast La Banda Del Puente. 

Ever since the inaugural match in 2014, Scott Rosenquist has been a loyal supporter of the boys in Old Glory Red. 

He was in the stands for the very first fixture and after a season that culminated in a title-winning run, Rosenquist has been a season ticket holder and member of the Tower Bridge Battalion ever since. 

“I wasn’t actually a big soccer fan before Sac Republic, so Sac Republic turned me,” Rosenquist confessed. “I remember a friend of mine was telling me about this group called the Tower Bridge Battalion that he was joining for the first season. He says they’re the guys that cheer, stand up the entire match and I was like, OK, that’s crazy, I am not standing and cheering for an entire 90-minute match but after the first season I was like, I want to be part of them!”

The passionate and proud SRFC fan stood by his word, and not only does he attend as many matches as possible, he also covers the Indomitable Club for the podcast La Banda Del Puente. 

Rosenquist is regularly a man of his word, and when he says he’s going to bike all the way from Northern California to Southern California for a cause greater than himself – don’t for a second doubt him. Every year during Pride Month, Rosenquist bikes 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles over the course of seven days for AIDS/LifeCycle. 

Rosenquist is regularly a man of his word, and when he says he’s going to bike all the way from Northern California to Southern California for a cause greater than himself – don’t for a second doubt him. Every year during Pride Month, Rosenquist bikes 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles over the course of seven days for AIDS/LifeCycle. 

The ride, which is always during the first week during Pride Month in June, raises money for San Francisco Aids Foundation and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center to help fight HIV and Aids. The pandemic has cancelled this year’s event, but Rosenquist – who started his own Sac Republic Cycling Club for the annual event – is already focused on next year’s Pride Month, getting more people involved and the importance of the history of the Pride Month itself. 

“June is the month where we celebrate gay rights, but we need to remember the first Pride was a riot, the Stonewall riots, so it’s important to remember where we came from. It’s not just this huge party and parade going down the street. The point of it originally was to say hey, we’re here, you can’t shoe us into the corners and hide us in the corners. We’re going to be who we are.”

Just because Rosenquist hasn’t been in attendance for recent Pride Month celebrations clearly doesn’t mean he’s not passion about it. What Pride Month represents – equality, inclusivity, love for all – are all things Rosenquist proudly stands for and they’re all things his supporters’ group stands for as well.  

The ride, which is always during the first week during Pride Month in June, raises money for San Francisco Aids Foundation and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center to help fight HIV and Aids. The pandemic has cancelled this year’s event, but Rosenquist – who started his own Sac Republic Cycling Club for the annual event – is already focused on next year’s Pride Month, getting more people involved and the importance of the history of the Pride Month itself. 

“June is the month where we celebrate gay rights, but we need to remember the first Pride was a riot, the Stonewall riots, so it’s important to remember where we came from. It’s not just this huge party and parade going down the street. The point of it originally was to say hey, we’re here, you can’t shoe us into the corners and hide us in the corners. We’re going to be who we are.”

Just because Rosenquist hasn’t been in attendance for recent Pride Month celebrations clearly doesn’t mean he’s not passion about it. What Pride Month represents – equality, inclusivity, love for all – are all things Rosenquist proudly stands for and they’re all things his supporters’ group stands for as well.  

“I think supporters’ groups in soccer, definitely more than other spots, are very outspoken about public issues,” he said. “They’re really big on that front politically – and Tower Bridge Battalion is the same way. They’re very inclusive, they’ve always been for gay rights, immigrant rights, black community, Hispanic community, everyone, all together.”

“I think supporters’ groups in soccer, definitely more than other spots, are very outspoken about public issues,” he said. “They’re really big on that front politically – and Tower Bridge Battalion is the same way. They’re very inclusive, they’ve always been for gay rights, immigrant rights, black community, Hispanic community, everyone, all together.”

And the group let’s their actions speak louder than their words. In response to a tragedy that happened a few years ago, a Rainbow Flag is now a regular staple in front of the sea of loyal SRFC supporters for all home fixtures. 

“One of the things that’s changed over time is we always have the flags in front of the Battalion and there’s always a flag hanging for a country represented on the team and during Pride Month the Pride Flag is up there,” Rosenquist explained. “But if you’ve noticed, ever since the Orlando shooting incident two years ago, the Pride Flag is now there every single match. I think the fan culture is really big in trying to promote these types of issues and the Tower Bridge Battalion doesn’t shy away from that and I think they’re awesome.”

Both the Battalion and Rosenquist never shy away from the things that matter most to them. Whether it be singing and chanting for the boys in Old Glory Red en route to victory, biking 545 miles from SF to LA, or sending a message about social justice during a game – they both commit fully to the task at hand and the reason behind it is one far greater than just for their own personal benefit. 

And the group let’s their actions speak louder than their words. In response to a tragedy that happened a few years ago, a Rainbow Flag is now a regular staple in front of the sea of loyal SRFC supporters for all home fixtures. 

“One of the things that’s changed over time is we always have the flags in front of the Battalion and there’s always a flag hanging for a country represented on the team and during Pride Month the Pride Flag is up there,” Rosenquist explained. “But if you’ve noticed, ever since the Orlando shooting incident two years ago, the Pride Flag is now there every single match. I think the fan culture is really big in trying to promote these types of issues and the Tower Bridge Battalion doesn’t shy away from that and I think they’re awesome.”

Both the Battalion and Rosenquist never shy away from the things that matter most to them. Whether it be singing and chanting for the boys in Old Glory Red en route to victory, biking 545 miles from SF to LA, or sending a message about social justice during a game – they both commit fully to the task at hand and the reason behind it is one far greater than just for their own personal benefit. 

To learn more about AIDS/LifeCycle and how to donate, visit their website here and Republic FC supporters interested in joining Rosenquist’s Sac Republic Cycling Club can reach out to him directly on his personal Twitter page @aggiepm or the @SacRepublicCC twitter page as well. 

To learn more about AIDS/LifeCycle and how to donate, visit their website here and Republic FC supporters interested in joining Rosenquist’s Sac Republic Cycling Club can reach out to him directly on his personal Twitter page @aggiepm or the @SacRepublicCC twitter page as well. 

Over the weekend, current Republic FC right back Shannon Gomez and longtime SRFC supporter Morgan Murphy made their USL Game Night debuts against Eastern Conference club New York Red Bulls II – represented by goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley and NYRBII fan Patric. 

Find out by watching the video below if the boys in Old Glory Red were able to triumph over the team from the Big Apple. Regardless of the outcome, all four participants – and host Kelsi Steele – shared some interesting knowledge but more importantly, shared plenty of laughs.  

Over the weekend, current Republic FC right back Shannon Gomez and longtime SRFC supporter Morgan Murphy made their USL Game Night debuts against Eastern Conference club New York Red Bulls II – represented by goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley and NYRBII fan Patric. 

Find out by watching the video below if the boys in Old Glory Red were able to triumph over the team from the Big Apple. Regardless of the outcome, all four participants – and host Kelsi Steele – shared some interesting knowledge but more importantly, shared plenty of laughs.