News

Republic FC Defender Chibi Ukaegbu to Participate in United States U17 National Team Training Camp

Signed professional contract in November, becoming one of four homegrown players on first team roster.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Soccer has announced that Republic FC defender Chibuike “Chibi” Ukaegbu (pronunciation: Chi-bee oo-Kay-boo) has been invited to participate in its U17 Men’s Youth National Team Domestic Camp in West Palm Beach, Florida from March 10 to 15. The invitation marks Ukaegbu’s first invitation to a national team camp. Ukaegbu is the only player representing a USL Championship club on the 24 player roster.

“Chibi continues to impress every single day and has been a bright spot throughout preseason,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re excited to see how he responds to the challenge and look forward to his continued development.”

The invitation marks Ukaegbu’s first to a national team camp. The Roseville native signed his first professional contract with the club in November, becoming one of four homegrown professional players on the club’s first team roster. He scored his first goal with the club’s first team this past Saturday in the club’s preseason friendly against Monterey Bay F.C. – the ninth goal by a homegrown player in preseason camp. He joined the club’s youth development academy in 2021 at age 14, appearing in over 60 matches for the club’s youth sides. Throughout Republic FC’s 2023 USL Championship season, Ukaegbu earned opportunities to train with the club’s first team, including action in preseason friendlies against other professional clubs.

Republic FC’s homegrown players continue to be well represented in Youth National Team Programs. Since the launch of the club’s Youth Academy in 2015, over 60 players have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage, showcase their talents in Youth National Team camps, or be invited to YNT Regional ID Center sessions alongside other top youth players.

Notes and Quotes: “It’s a preseason friendly, but it’s the final tune-up for everybody”

Republic FC is back on the pitch at Heart Health Park this weekend, welcoming local rival Monterey Bay F.C. to Sacramento for its final exhibition match of preseason.

The match marks the final tune-up for the club ahead of the season opener on March 9, when Orange County SC comes to town. Head Coach Mark Briggs will be looking for his side to make their final adjustments, as well as fine-tune their fitness and help kick off the season on a positive note.

“Obviously leading into the home opener, you want to start off on a positive foot. So you want to get the right result,” said Briggs at Thursday’s training session. “But I want to see what we’ve worked on throughout preseason, some of the some of the things that we’ve asked of them differently come out and put us in a good spot to then open up with Orange County.”

Of course, playing the first match of the season before fans at Heart Health Park offers excitement as well.

“It’s been a long preseason, there’s been a lot of hard work put in and I think you’re starting to feel more like the season’s coming around and it’s a proper game,” said Nick Ross. With fans here, it’ll be good to see everyone again and be back at home.”

Republic FC has performed well in each of its eight exhibitions to help the club prepare. The club’s young players have stood out, with their performances proving they belong on the first team roster. The club’s veterans have continued where they left off, performing at a high level just as they did last season.

“The young boys – Chibi [Ukaegbu], Blake [Willey], Da’vian [Kimbrough], they’ve been excellent. Nick Ross has just carried on from last year, hasn’t missed a beat and he’s been phenomenal throughout preseason,” said Briggs. “Jared Timmer has been excellent as usual, just Mr. Consistent, performs at a high level. Jared Mazzola’s come in and he’s had a fantastic preseason and Rafa Jauregui – I think he’s scored four and got four or five assists – he’s hit the ground running.”

“We’ve been able to make the chemistry a bit stronger,” said Jauregui of training camp. “[And develop] a strong mentality – we never want to settle for a draw. We want to score goals, and we want to keep the ball out of the net.”

Although points aren’t on the line on Saturday, the contest will have all the feel of a regional derby. Monterey Bay bested Sacramento in their one regular season visit in 2023, and since their entry to the league have always been a tough team to play against.

“They’re always very organized, they always come here and are excited to play,” Briggs said of the Seaside club. “So we have to get used to handling teams coming in here with the excitement of playing on this field and playing in front of a good crowd. It’s a preseason friendly, but it’s the final tune-up for everybody. So we want to make sure first and foremost we get through the game healthy and then secondly, we get the right result.”

Coach’s Corner: Amann Opens Account as Indomitable Club Closes Desert Trip

Republic FC closed out its trip to the Tucson Desert Friendlies on Wednesday morning, playing to a 1-1 draw with USL League One debutant Spokane Velocity FC. The club will return home from Arizona with a great deal of progress made as preparations for the 2024 season continue.

Against the challenge of a third game in seven days, a strong second-half performance wrapped up the club’s trip south on a high note. After Spokane pulled ahead, Sacramento battled back to take control of the match. The club’s lone score came from newcomer Trevor Amann, who found the net for the equalizer. The goal opens his scoring account with his new club – offering a glimpse of what made him the League One Player of the Year and well as the second-highest scorer in all of American soccer in 2023.

It’s been a challenging week for the squad, filled with tough training sessions every day testing every player’s fitness. But Head Coach Mark Briggs was pleased with his squad’s resolve to bounce back from a slow start and play well.

“Having the guys fight through the heavy legs, fight through the time period to get their match fitness and to get their strength is the most important thing,” Briggs said. “[I was] really pleased with the with the second half and the intensity of which the group showed. The first half was not very pleasing at all, but the second half was much better and we controlled the game, dictated the game created a number of opportunities.”

Just as in the club’s previous contests, the squad’s young players shined. Briggs continued to sing praises for the club’s four homegrowns – Rafa Jauregui, Da’vian Kimbrough, Chibi Ukaegbu, and Blake Willey – as their strong performances continued. Ukaegbu contributed to the chance creating Amann’s second-half score. As a result, all four Academy products will return home having made significant contributions in camp.

“They haven’t looked out of place, have all been excellent on this trip and deserve a lot of credit,” said Briggs of the quartet following Wednesday’s draw. “They look like they deserve to be here, and they’re showing a hunger and a desire to want to play. Their performances over the three games down here – and even against San Jose before we came – I’ve just been really pleased with them.”

This weekend the club continues its preparations with its toughest preseason opponent – a visit to the Seattle Sounders. It’s a good test for Republic FC to see where they stand against top competition just over three weeks from the first game of the season.

“We’ve got three weeks to sharpen everybody, get everybody there from a fitness standpoint,” said Briggs. “Three weeks to get everybody there from a tactical and technical standpoint so we’re able to put our strongest foot forward on March 9.”

Coach’s Corner: “Now We’ve Got to Turn Up the Dial”

In its second contest in the Tucson Friendlies, Republic FC added two more names to the preseason scoresheet and netted another set piece goal in a 2-3 loss against Louisville City FC on Sunday. Despite the result, Head Coach Mark Briggs continues to be confident in his squad, using every preseason scrimmage as an opportunity to track the team’s progress and prepare for Opening Night on March 9.

Similar to the previous match against Colorado Springs, Sacramento was challenged from the first whistle, and LouCity took an early lead on a well-taken free kick.

“I think it’s good for our guys to play against teams that are in our league because it shows that we’ve got a target on our chest, and we’ve got to learn how to handle that,” said Briggs. “It took us a little while to wake up and understand how to handle the pressure that Louisville was putting on us, but we came together and had some really good passages of play. We equalized to make it 1-1 and from there it was a fairly even game.”

Republic FC’s first goal came from Rodrigo Lopez, who took advantage of a LouCity misplay, intercepting a pass from the keeper and netting his first score of the preseason. In the second half, both teams made wholesale changes and LouCity took the lead back with two goals in quick succession. Just minutes later, though, Sacramento pulled one pack as a Cristian Parano set piece was headed into the net by Rafael Jauregui.

With Jauregui entering his fourth pro season, Briggs is looking forward to seeing the 19-year-old Sacramento native step into a more established role on the squad. “Rafa’s done very well in training camp,” said Briggs. “His confidence is growing and he’s shown that he can step up, and how he’s just got to keep the momentum.” Jauregui is the oldest among a group of four graduates from Republic FC’s youth academy to feature on this year’s roster, leading the charge as each player gets the opportunity to experience their first preseason with the first team.

Including Sunday’s goals from Jauregui and Lopez, Republic FC has posted six different goal scorers through its first three preseason contests, a stat line that Briggs is happy to see: “With the quality we have on the roster, it’s important that we score goals. We’re showing that we can score goals in different ways and with different lineups, so we have to continue to do that. We have to continue to be courageous and be brave, putting ourselves in positions to score goals.”

And while the club’s first two contests were primarily focused on fitness and getting a feel for the squad, Sunday’s approach was more tactical for Briggs. “We’ve been working a lot on ball retention and taking better care of the ball, and there were a few passages of play where we were really happy,” said Briggs. “We kept possession for long periods of time and we manipulated the ball well, so it’s pleasing that those things are being taken on board and being executed.”

Republic FC is now at the midway point of its preseason, preparing to wrap up the Desert Friendlies with a Wednesday scrimmage against USL League One debutant Spokane Velocity FC before heading up North to face Seattle Sounders FC in one of the MLS side’s final tune-ups before the start of its respective season. Briggs is certainly pleased with what he’s seen from his squad in the opening weeks of training camp, but with the club’s Opening Night now less than a month away, he will expect everything to be taken up a level, building for success in matches with points on the line.

“The first few games have been good, they’ve allowed us to get back into the rhythm that we had last year and integrate the new players,” he said. “Now we’ve got to turn the dial up a bit. We’ll start to focus on the intensity, and those little things as individuals and as a unit that make the difference in games like these. So that’ll start to come into play from today.”

Coach’s Corner: Republic FC’s Youngest Players Shine in 4-1 Preseason Victory

In its first preseason matchup against a USL Championship side, Republic FC took a 4-1 win over Western Conference foe Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Thursday. With six players making scoring contributions, it was the team’s young players that made the difference, with standout performances from former academy players and goals from two of last year’s signings.

The contest marked Republic FC’s second preseason tune-up and first in a series of three scrimmages at the Desert Friendlies. The club came into the match on the heels of a 1-1 draw with MLS side San Jose Earthquakes last week, in which Jack Gurr’s corner set up a Russell Cicerone goal. Both players also added an assist against Colorado Springs.

“Going into the game, we wanted to take a step forward,” said First Team Assistant Coach Martín Vásquez. “We wanted to continue to push our fitness and see more of the good moments we had against San Jose. Our goal was to once again get each player at least 45 minutes and mix up the lineup groups so we can see how different guys feed off each other.”

Just three weeks into their first preseason with the first team, the club’s youngest players grabbed Thursday’s opportunity with both hands, leaving a big impression on the technical staff and game. One of the highlights came when 13-year-old Da’vian Kimbrough and 16-year-old Blake Willey connected for a goal, with Willey playing a perfectly-paced through ball to Kimbrough who skillfully netted his first goal with the first team. “It was great to see Da’vian score his first goal,” said Vásquez. “It’s exciting for everyone in the organization. The players were very happy for him, we all are.”

Vásquez wasn’t in Sacramento as Kimbrough rose through the academy, netting 61 goals in his first two seasons, but the young forward’s talent a potential have quickly stood out in training camp. “Sometimes you forget that he’s only 13 years old, and when you do remember, you’re really blown away,” said Vásquez. “He continues to grow every day, and on Thursday we got to see him play against a good team in Colorado Springs, and not only did he hold his own, but he also got a goal. I think for him, the sky’s the limit – it’s still going to take some time, but he’s going in the right direction.”

Willey and Kimbrough are among a group of four players in the 2024 squad to be developed in the club’s youth academy – the most academy graduates the club has ever had on professional contracts at one time. Republic FC’s academy continues to be one of the top youth development programs in the country, creating a strong local pipeline of players ready for professional-level competition. Vásquez and the technical staff also had praise for 19-year-old Rafael Jauregui and 16-year-old Chibi Ukaegbu in Thursday’s match. Jauregui looked dangerous in the attack and created several chances, changing the energy and pace in the second half, while Ukaegbu jumped into the backline, holding his own while going toe-to-toe with some of the quickest strikers in the league.

Inspired by the youngest players on the roster, 21-year-old Aldair Sanchez added a brace of his own in the match. “He made the effort, he made the runs and put himself in very good spots, and had great finishes,” said Vásquez of Sanchez’s performance.

24-year-old Cristian Parano netted his first goal for Sacramento as well: “He wanted to send a message,” said Vásquez. The Argentinian winger joined Republic FC toward the end of the 2023 season and is embracing the opportunity to participate in a full preseason with the club, ready to be a club leader and push his team to win a championship.

Republic FC will continue to train in Tucson for the next six days with two more friendlies – Louisville City FC on February 11 and Spokane Velocity FC on February 14. “Preseason is where you start to build a culture that will last you the entire season,” continued Vásquez. “This is where we set the tone for the year. The guys are putting in the hard work and the coaches are finding our stride as a new group as well. I think with the training we’ve done, and the matches we’ve seen so far, we’re going to be ready for opening night.”

Coach’s Corner: Briggs Reflects on First Preseason Friendly of 2024

Republic FC took to the pitch for its first scrimmage on Friday against San Jose Earthquakes. The clubs went into the tune-up at different points in their respective preseasons, with San Jose starting in early January and Republic FC in just its second week. The Indomitable Club earned a 1-1 draw, with Russell Cicerone scoring the game-tying goal from a Jack Gurr corner kick.

With San Jose getting closer to its February 24 season opener, the Quakes rolled out a near season-ready lineup, comprised of mainly first-team players including 2023 MLS All-Star Cristian Espinoza. But for Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs, the players on the opposing bench didn’t matter. The focus was on tracking the progress and development of his squad.

“We asked the players to give their maximum effort for 45 minutes, to give everything they had in the tank for 45 minutes,” said Briggs. “From a fitness standpoint, we wanted to get everyone some good, intense movement in their legs since we’ve only been back for seven days. And then on top of that, we asked the guys to have the courage to do the things that we’ve been working on for seven days, and they did. They played well and they did what we asked of them. So overall, it was a really pleasing 45 minutes for everyone.”

Building on last year’s stalwart defensive performance that gave up the fewest goals across the league, Briggs was impressed with that same effort and strength in the club’s first competition: “As a group, we defended well again, we looked comfortable, and we were difficult to break down.”

With each player getting at least 45 minutes of action, the team’s youngest additions seized the opportunity to show they could compete at the highest levels of the game. When asked about standout performances, Briggs praised 16-year-olds Chibi Ukaegbu and Blake Willey, and 13-year-old Da’vian Kimbrough. All three signed their first professional contracts with the club in 2023 after rising through the club’s youth academy. Three players from the club’s U-17 academy team also saw substantial minutes in Friday’s match, and earned valuable experience against a top-flight team.

Forward Russell Cicerone and defender Jack Gurr picked up where they left off last season, connecting for the game-tying goal on a set-piece corner kick. The duo are among the 17 returning players from 2023, giving Mark Briggs a strong, consistent foundation to build on for the upcoming campaign. “I think that’s one of our main strengths. It really puts on the front foot this preseason, even after just seven days,” said Briggs. “The consistency of the group allows us to really start at a different place, and the guys grabbed a hold of that and we feel that we’ve reconnected to where we were last year.”

Up next, Republic FC will get its first look at other USL squads in Tucson, Arizona for the Desert Friendlies. The club will face off with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Feb. 8), Louisville City FC (Feb. 11), and USL League One debutant Spokane Velocity FC (Feb. 14) in three closed-door matches.

Republic FC’s 11^th campaign starts on Saturday, March 9 when the club hosts Orange County SC at Heart Health Park. The Indomitable Club is looking to build on a strong 2023 season that saw Republic FC finish on top of the Western Conference regular season table, reach new milestones, and earn several honors across the league. With a majority of the roster returning for 2024, the club is ready to pick up where it left off, focused on bringing a championship to Sacramento. Tickets for the home opener and the entire 2024 season are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets.

Republic FC’s 2024 Season Kicks Off in 37 Days, Tickets on Sale Now for Home Opener

The USL season will begin on March 9 when Republic FC hosts Orange County SC
Tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets
Fans can meet this year’s squad following the final preseason friendly against Monterey Bay F.C. on March 2

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the start of Republic FC’s 2024 campaign five weeks away, fans can now purchase tickets to the club’s home opener and the entire 2024 USL Championship season. In its 11^th campaign, the Indomitable Club is looking to build on a strong 2023 season that saw Republic FC finish on top of the Western Conference regular season table, reach new milestones, and earn several honors across the league. With 17 players returning from last year’s roster, the club is ready to pick up right where it left off, focused on bringing a championship to Sacramento. Fans can now secure their seats for opening night and all the action at Heart Health Park by visiting SacRepublicFC.com/tickets.

On March 9, the Indomitable Club will officially open the 2024 season, hosting in-state foe Orange County SC at Heart Health Park. Since 2014, Republic FC has gone unbeaten in home season openers (three wins, two draws). Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. In 2023, Republic FC supporters showed up for their squad in record numbers with over 215,000 guests attending home matches, including five-straight weekend sellout crowds.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR OPENING NIGHT

Members who have linked their accounts can access their season tickets through the new SeatGeek ticking platform today on the Republic FC Mobile App and at SeatGeek.com/SacRepublicFC. Members have until midnight tonight to verify their account at SeatGeek.com/SacRepublicFC/verify in order to access tickets for the first match and before their accounts become inactive.

Before the season opener, fans can get their first look at this year’s squad on March 2 as Republic FC closes out its 2024 preseason schedule against regional rival Monterey Bay F.C. at Heart Health Park. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. and after the final whistle, fans will have the opportunity to meet this year’s players and coaches at a special Meet the Team event, giving Indomitable Members and ticket holders the opportunity to meet and interact with players face-to-face, hear from the club’s coaching staff, participate in exciting giveaway contests, and more. Attendance is open only to those who attend the match, which is also included in full and half-season memberships.

Tickets for the entire 2024 schedule are available today at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. From full season memberships and group packages to premium seating products and single match tickets, there are ticket options for every fan at every price.

Republic FC Inks All-League Defender Jack Gurr to Multi-Year Contract Extension

Earned spot on the 2023 USL Championship All-League First Team, finalist for league Defender of the Year
Breakout campaign in 2023 with a career high in goals and assists
3^rd member of 2022 & 2023 roster to sign multi-year extension to solidify club’s core for the future
Republic FC will open the 2024 season at home on March 9

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced that the club has signed a multi-year contract extension with defender Jack Gurr. Per club policy, the full terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Gurr first joined Republic FC ahead of the 2022 season.

“Over the past two seasons, Jack has proven himself to be one of the best two-way players in USL Championship,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “His presence in our locker room is just as important as his presence on the field. We’re proud to have him wear our crest and are excited to see him continue to be an integral part of our club for years to come.”

“I’m happy to commit my future to the club and appreciate all the love and support I’ve been shown here in Sacramento,” said Gurr.

In his first two seasons with Republic FC, Gurr appeared in all but nine matches, making 70 starts in 74 appearances with over 6,000 minutes played across all competitions. He was among the club’s leaders in clearances, interceptions, and assists in 2022, and his 49 chances created ranked third among USL defenders. He made six starts in six appearances in Republic FC’s historic run to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final.

The Englishman had a breakout season on the right flank in 2023 as the Indomitable Club finished the regular season on top of the Western Conference table and reached the Western Conference Final. In addition to setting a new career high with five goals and six assists, he led the league’s defensive players with 11 scoring contributions and 61 chances created – the most by a backline player since the 2019 USL Championship season. He also led the entire league in crosses (218). He was a key part of the league’s best defense in 2023, conceding only 26 goals in the regular season. Behind the ball, he won 28 tackles and made 160 recoveries.

A fan favorite among Republic FC’s supporters, Gurr’s standout performance also earned him recognition throughout the league. Throughout the campaign, he saw five selections to the USL Championship Team of the Week and earned his first career All-League First Team selection, along with teammates Danny Vitiello and Conor Donovan who both signed multi-year extensions. He was also a finalist for the league’s Defender of the Year (finished second on the ballot) and was voted Team Defensive MVP by his Republic FC teammates.

Gurr first signed with Republic FC ahead of the 2022 season following a stint with Aberdeen FC in the Scottish Premiership. At Aberdeen, he logged 50 minutes in 10 appearances, including time in the Scottish Challenge Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying matches. Prior to Aberdeen, he played stateside in the Atlanta United FC system, marking his professional debut in 2020 with Atlanta United 2 and starting all 16 matches during the pandemic-shortened season. The campaign earned him an MLS contract with the first team, and in December 2020 he made an appearance in Atlanta United’s win over Club América in the Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals.

Prior to starting his professional career, Gurr was an academy product of English club Gateshead FC. He moved to the United States in 2014 to join the soccer program at Georgia Gwinnett College. As a Grizzly, he tallied 14 goals and 22 assists in four seasons and twice earned First Team All-Independent Institutions recognition. He featured for NPSL club Georgia Revolution from 2018 to 2019.

Gurr and Republic FC will officially kick off the 2024 USL Championship season on Saturday, March 9 when the club hosts Orange County SC at Heart Health Park. Fans can secure the best available seats for the home opener and the entire season by becoming an Indomitable Member. Member benefits include the 2024 exclusive scarf, access to private events featuring players and coaches, discounts on tickets, concessions, and more.

By purchasing a season ticket package before the season kicks off, fans can lock in the best ticket prices – starting at just $16 per match. To become a member or learn more about the benefits of membership, call (916) 307-6100 or visit SacRepublicFC.com/Memberships.

Republic FC Adds Martín Vásquez and Bradley Johnson to Technical Staff

Ahead of this weekend’s Open Tryout, Republic FC has announced new additions to the club’s technical staff for the 2024 season. Martín Vásquez joins as First Team Assistant Coach, and Bradley Johnson joins as Goalkeeper Coach for the club’s 11^th USL Championship season. Additionally, Rodrigo Hernandez gets the nod as the new Equipment Manager, while a full slate of returners rounds out the 2024 staff.

“Martín and Bradley will be fantastic additions to our technical staff,” said Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs. “Martín brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his extensive career, and Bradley just coached the League One Goalkeeper of the Year. Both will add tremendous value on the sidelines and in the locker room.”

Vásquez and Johnson will join Head Coach Mark Briggs on the sideline following the departure of Assistant Coach Danny Dichio and Goalkeeper Coach Ross Cain, who departed the club for new positions as Head Coach of Detroit City FC and Goalkeeper Coach of Philadelphia Union 2, respectively.

Martín Vásquez

Vásquez joins Republic FC with over 30 years of experience as a player and coach, both in the U.S. and abroad. After starting his coaching career in America, he made the move to Europe in 2008, reporting to Jürgen Klinsmann at Bayern Munich for one season in Bundesliga that saw the German side reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Klinsmann later brought Vásquez aboard as an assistant with the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2011-2014, winning the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2013 and helping the squad to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to be part of Sacramento Republic FC,” said Vásquez. “I believe the organization, the team, the fans make Sacramento one of the top teams in the USL Championship. Looking forward to contributing with hard work, to the success of the team.”

Back in the U.S., Vásquez has been on the sidelines with MLS sides Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, and Chivas USA, as well as San Diego Spirit (Women’s United Soccer Association) and collegiately at Cal Poly Pomona. In his first Head Coach stint in USL Championship, Vásquez led Real Monarchs SLC to its league title in 2019. He would later be named the Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations for RSL-Arizona’s U-16 and U-19 teams. He also previously served as the Head Coach for MLS-side Chivas USA during the 2010 season. In his most recent role, he was the Head Coach for USL League One side Central Valley Fuego FC.

As a player, Vásquez paved the way for Mexican-American footballers, becoming the first to play for both the Mexico National Team (1990) and the U.S. Men’s National Team (1997). Born in Yahualica, Mexico, he was raised in Los Angeles and played professionally for 17 years, featuring for famed Mexican clubs including Atlas, Puebla, and Veracruz. He was a part of the inaugural MLS season in 1996, anchoring the midfield for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and earning a spot on the All-Star roster, and later played for the San Jose Clash before retiring in 1998.

Bradley Johnson

Johnson joins Republic FC after a season with USL League One club Charlotte Independence. During the 2023 season, Charlotte posted 11 clean sheets to reach the USL League One Final, with goalkeeper Austin Pack setting a new league record with 116 saves during the regular season and earning the league’s of Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

“I am beyond thrilled for the opportunity to join the Sacramento Republic FC coaching staff and begin competing for a championship,” said Johnson. “There is a great culture of success at this club and I am excited to help add to that. Thank you to Mark Briggs and Todd Dunivant for making this possible, and I am looking forward to a memorable season.”

Prior to Charlotte, Johnson spent time at the collegiate level in New York, with stints at Iona College, Long Island University-Brooklyn, and John Jay College. As the Head Coach at John Jay, he led the team to its first playoff win in over a decade and recorded the most wins for the program in 10 years. At Long Island University, Johnson served as Assistant Coach, helping the team to the Northeast Conference title in 2018. He also coached for Manhattan Soccer Club’s U23 team in USL League Two, working closely with the club’s youth teams as well.

A Manhattan native, Johnson played collegiately for the University of Albany, SUNY Cobleskill and Ithaca College. He also has international playing experience in Brazil, Holland, Croatia and England. While earning his master’s degree at Brunel University in Middlesex, England, he won a National British University Championship title in futsal and advanced to the European Championships.

With Republic FC, Johnson will work with the goalkeeping squad to build on a stellar campaign that saw a new club record in shutouts and fewest goals conceded, as well as Golden Glove and Goalkeeper of the Year honors for Danny Vitiello. He’ll also serve as a resource to the club’s youth academy goalkeepers, helping to develop the region’s next generation of players in the youth-to-pro pathway.

Rodrigo Hernandez

Hernandez is joining Republic FC as the team’s Equipment Manager, overseeing all aspects of equipment and apparel for team operations. He comes to Sacramento after two years as the Team Manager for Loyola University Chicago Men’s Soccer, assisting the coaching staff with the execution of training sessions, matches, team travel, analysis, and more. He also previously served as the Soccer Operations Manager & Player Liaison for Edgewater Castle FC, a non-profit soccer club in Chicago that no-barrier access to a high-quality and highly-organized player and supporter experience.

Along with the new additions to the technical staff, Mark Briggs will have plenty of familiar faces alongside him this year. André Zayas returns as the Manager of Team Operations, first stepping into the role midway through the 2023 season after first joining the club as Manager of Soccer Programming and First Team Video Analyst.

Club veterans Katy Norton, Luke Rayfield, and Dave Redman continue their tenure with the club as well. Norton will return as the Director of Sports Performance, while Rayfield will take an elevated role with the club as Head of Performance. Both have been with Republic FC since its inaugural 2014 season. 2024 will mark Redman’s second season as Head Athletic Trainer following eight years as Athletic Trainer for the club’s youth academy.

Republic FC players will continue to receive exceptional medical care from UC Davis Health’s dedicated team of sports medicine physicians led by Dr. Eric Giza, while additional support and expertise will be provided by Team Chiropractor Charmaine Magale, Team Podiatrist Dr. Arman Kirakosian, and Team Cardiologist Dr. Ramin Manshadi.

Republic FC Forward Da’vian Kimbrough Called Up to Mexico U-16 Youth National Team Camp

Fourth invitation to Mexico’s Youth National Team in less than 6 months
At first international competition, Kimbrough led all players in scoring (4 goals, 1 assist) with Mexico’s U-15 squad and earned Man of the Match honors against Finland
Made first team debut with Republic FC in 2023 after July signing

Sacramento, Calif. – This week, the Mexican Football Federation invited Republic FC Forward Da’vian Kimbrough (pronunciation: Day-vee-Ahn Kimm-broh) to its U-16 Youth National Team training camp from January 14 to 17. The invitation marks Kimbrough’s fourth selection – three training camps and a team selection – since becoming a professional in July.

In December, Da’vian earned a spot on El Tri’s U-15 roster for the 2023 Football Federations Cup in Albir, Spain. In his international debut, Kimbrough netted a tournament-leading four goals in three matches as Mexico faced off against Finland Saudi Arabia, and Spain. He earned Man of the Match honors against Finland with a 2-goal, 1-assist performance on December 6, and tallied another 2-goal performance against eventual champion Spain to close the tournament on December 10.

The U-16 training camp invite continues his development with older players, as he does in Academy and first-team training and competition with Republic FC. He is the first Republic FC player invited to a national team camp in 2024.

The 13-year-old forward joined Republic FC’s first team in 2023 after two seasons with the club’s youth academy. He became the youngest American player to debut in a competitive match when he came off the bench on October 1. Since the end of the first team season in November, Kimbrough has continued his development with the club’s youth squads, scoring seven goals in ten appearances with the U-15 and U-16 teams in MLS NEXT league play.

Republic FC continues its preparations for the 2024 USL Championship season. On January 20th, the club will host its annual Open Tryouts to identify local talent and invite at least one player to join the club for training camp. For more information or to register, interested players can visit SacRepublicFC.com/tryouts.

The 2024 season kicks off in less than two months on March 9 when the Indomitable Club hosts Orange County SC at Heart Health Park. Fans can secure the best available seats for the home opener and the 2024 season by becoming an Indomitable Member today.

News

Martín Vásquez

Bradley Johnson

Rodrigo Hernandez

Subscribe to our newsletter

INDOMITABLE PARTNERS