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The second annual Pride Scholarship is right around the corner and Sacramento Republic FC – in partnership with the Sacramento LGBT Center, is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a local LGBTQ+ activist in the community that is college-bound this coming fall. 

The scholarship is designed to provide free resources for an incoming college freshman who exhibit immense leadership skills in the LGBT+ community. Candidates must be an incoming college freshman, beginning studies this fall, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. 

All interested candidates should reach out to Assistant Director of Youth Programs – Jesse Archer – at jesse.archer@saccenter.org before the June 15 deadline. This year’s winner will be announced on Saturday, June 20. 

The second annual Pride Scholarship is right around the corner and Sacramento Republic FC – in partnership with the Sacramento LGBT Center, is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a local LGBTQ+ activist in the community that is college-bound this coming fall. 

The scholarship is designed to provide free resources for an incoming college freshman who exhibit immense leadership skills in the LGBT+ community. Candidates must be an incoming college freshman, beginning studies this fall, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. 

All interested candidates should reach out to Assistant Director of Youth Programs – Jesse Archer – at jesse.archer@saccenter.org before the June 15 deadline. This year’s winner will be announced on Saturday, June 20. 

“I really love working with kids and during my first semester I had the opportunity to work with them through my child development class,” the Sac State freshman said.

Whether she becomes a teacher or helps the next generation of youth in another capacity, helping others is simply something that runs in Raven’s family. Both Raven and her mother do a tremendous amount of wonderful work at the Center, where the mother-daughter duo handle resources and prior to COVID-19, were heavily involved in tabling local events. 

Clearly the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, and it was Raven’s mother who helped to encourage her to attend the youth groups and explore the many resources available at the Center. 

“It was the perfect place to be me and be my higher self,” Raven said. “We’re always encouraged to strive for better and to do better in the community and I honestly love everyone that works there because they just make me feel at home, it’s like a big family.”

Raven started getting involved at the Center around 2016-2017 and the inspiring Sac State student has since been fortunate to help out in a number of different ways within the community. As much as she loves helping out, it’s meeting new faces that mean just as much. 

“I’ve done a lot of table events as well as respite care,” Raven said. “And something I’ve always enjoyed is just meeting all sorts of new people and helping to give out information that we do have a center here in Sacramento and there is a place for people like me where if you know someone who needs a spot, who needs a family, who needs resources, there are places like that here in Sacramento and I just love to give those resources and that outreach to all people of all ages.”

Some of the most powerful resources Raven offers might not necessarily be found in a pamphlet at the Center, rather, the personal time spent with the Sac State student is a treasure in and of itself. As her words of encouragement, inspiration and wisdom to fellow activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community are a pillar of positivity.   

“I would just like to say, don’t give up, you got this! I know it’s hard and you face a lot of oppression or discrimination every day and you might not feel like you fit anywhere but there is always a home for you, especially at the Center,” Raven said 

“If you’re feeling low, there’s youth groups for all ages. They’re weekly and they keep up with it. They’re consistent and it’s just a great place. Just don’t give up your dreams and if you want to achieve something, you can do it.”

Raven is humble, considerate, generous, and very grateful for the scholarship opportunity she earned last year. As she continues to pave a path of positivity in the local community, she’s thankful for those who have helped her along her journey.

“Thank you so much for considering me for the scholarship last year, I’m so grateful. It has put me in a lot of great places just to say that I’ve received a scholarship for helping out in my community – and being myself, really, honestly.”

Supporters and members of the Republic FC family can relive Pride Night from 2019 – where Raven was honored with the scholarship at halftime – during this week's Republic Rewind slated for Saturday, June 20th at 2:00 p.m. PT. 

For additional information on all things Pride Month, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/Pride2020. 

“I really love working with kids and during my first semester I had the opportunity to work with them through my child development class,” the Sac State freshman said.

Whether she becomes a teacher or helps the next generation of youth in another capacity, helping others is simply something that runs in Raven’s family. Both Raven and her mother do a tremendous amount of wonderful work at the Center, where the mother-daughter duo handle resources and prior to COVID-19, were heavily involved in tabling local events. 

Clearly the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, and it was Raven’s mother who helped to encourage her to attend the youth groups and explore the many resources available at the Center. 

“It was the perfect place to be me and be my higher self,” Raven said. “We’re always encouraged to strive for better and to do better in the community and I honestly love everyone that works there because they just make me feel at home, it’s like a big family.”

Raven started getting involved at the Center around 2016-2017 and the inspiring Sac State student has since been fortunate to help out in a number of different ways within the community. As much as she loves helping out, it’s meeting new faces that mean just as much. 

“I’ve done a lot of table events as well as respite care,” Raven said. “And something I’ve always enjoyed is just meeting all sorts of new people and helping to give out information that we do have a center here in Sacramento and there is a place for people like me where if you know someone who needs a spot, who needs a family, who needs resources, there are places like that here in Sacramento and I just love to give those resources and that outreach to all people of all ages.”

Some of the most powerful resources Raven offers might not necessarily be found in a pamphlet at the Center, rather, the personal time spent with the Sac State student is a treasure in and of itself. As her words of encouragement, inspiration and wisdom to fellow activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community are a pillar of positivity.   

“I would just like to say, don’t give up, you got this! I know it’s hard and you face a lot of oppression or discrimination every day and you might not feel like you fit anywhere but there is always a home for you, especially at the Center,” Raven said 

“If you’re feeling low, there’s youth groups for all ages. They’re weekly and they keep up with it. They’re consistent and it’s just a great place. Just don’t give up your dreams and if you want to achieve something, you can do it.”

Raven is humble, considerate, generous, and very grateful for the scholarship opportunity she earned last year. As she continues to pave a path of positivity in the local community, she’s thankful for those who have helped her along her journey.

“Thank you so much for considering me for the scholarship last year, I’m so grateful. It has put me in a lot of great places just to say that I’ve received a scholarship for helping out in my community – and being myself, really, honestly.”

Supporters and members of the Republic FC family can relive Pride Night from 2019 – where Raven was honored with the scholarship at halftime – during this week’s Republic Rewind slated for Saturday, June 20th at 2:00 p.m. PT. 

For additional information on all things Pride Month, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/Pride2020. 

The Rainbow flag, designed by Gilbert Baker, is one of the most iconic and easily recognizable symbols of the LGBTQ+ community, and an emblem of hope, unity, love and pride. 

Baker created the universal symbol for LGBTQ+ communities, hand-stitched and hand-dyed the very first rainbow flag in 1978, as an effort to replace a symbol used in Nazi Germany originally intended to cause shame and fear. 

In 2015, Baker noted that “They had a whole code of emblems that they used to oppress people, and we needed something to answer that.” 

“That’s what flags are for,” said Baker. “Flags are about proclaiming power … that visibility is key to our success and to our justice.”

Baker passed away in 2017, but his legacy lives on through the Rainbow flag, and can be applied to the constant pursuit of social equality. 

“Together, we’re changing our world, our planet, from a place of hate and violence and war to a place of love and diversity and acceptance,” he said in 2009. “That is why we’re here. That’s the big, long rainbow — from before me to well after me.”

After Baker’s passing, advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather partnered with NewFest, NYC Pride and Fontself to create “the Gilbert Font“, to honor his memory and pay tribute to his contributions to LGBTQ+ communities. The free font was designed for striking headlines, to be used for banners at rallies and protests, but has grown for websites and beyond. 

The multi-colored fluid design has a unique and vibrant palette inspired by the rainbow flag and each individual letter contains several colors. Like the Pride flag itself, the font blends and merges the stripes of the Pride flag as rectangles curve and overlap each other to create the letters that resemble the iconic symbol. 

The curvy and rounded letters are a simple tribute to the styles and designs of the 1970’s when Baker – a self-proclaimed ‘gay Betsy Ross’ created the Pride flag.  

“We want to create something special that would not just honor Gilbert and his iconic Rainbow Flag but also give the LGBTQ+ community a fantastic tool to help them create their own banners, posters and signs,” Ogilvy’s creative team said in a press release to announce the creation of the font. 

“People can now raise the Rainbow Flag with every letter they type. By literally embedding the Rainbow Flag into the font we made it possible for everyone around the world to type with pride.”

The font is available to download for free from the website Type With Pride and can be accessed on Adobe Cloud with the colored font also available for usage in Photoshop. Since there are no trademark restrictions or patents, anyone interested can use and download the typeface. 

To honor Gilbert and support Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community, Republic FC has created a special 2020 Pride Merchandise Collection utilizing the Gilbert font. A scarf, t-shirt, tank top and hat feature “Indomitable” emblazoned in the Gilbert font. Each item is available for sale or pre-sale in the team’s online store, and the proceeds will directly benefit the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. 

For all things Pride Month, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/Pride2020.

The generosity and compassion of Sacramento have been on display throughout the pandemic, and as the community stands together for equality and justice. From surges in community giving to peaceful protests to volunteer clean-up crews, the Indomitable City lives up to its name every day. 

In April, Republic FC launched its Indomitable Hands program to provide homebound seniors with an assist during the region’s shelter at home guidelines. With the club’s partner, Raley’s, and a generous contribution from KHTK 1140, team staff and friends of the club have taken to near-daily deliveries of ready to eat meals for seniors throughout the Capital Region. 

The generosity and compassion of Sacramento have been on display throughout the pandemic, and as the community stands together for equality and justice. From surges in community giving to peaceful protests to volunteer clean-up crews, the Indomitable City lives up to its name every day. 

In April, Republic FC launched its Indomitable Hands program to provide homebound seniors with an assist during the region’s shelter at home guidelines. With the club’s partner, Raley’s, and a generous contribution from KHTK 1140, team staff and friends of the club have taken to near-daily deliveries of ready to eat meals for seniors throughout the Capital Region. 

As the program enters its the third month – thanks to the nominations, donations and contributions from the team’s supporters, some special guests joined to help add to the over 6,000 meals delivered and counting. 

As the program enters its the third month – thanks to the nominations, donations and contributions from the team’s supporters, some special guests joined to help add to the over 6,000 meals delivered and counting. 

Last week, First Partner and Honorary Chair of the California Volunteers Commission, along with California Volunteers Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, and #CaliforniansForAll volunteers joined Republic FC volunteers to distribute meals and inspire others to help their community during a time of need. They have joined the club’s 260 volunteers who have made deliveries over 500 hours over eight weeks. 

Last week, First Partner and Honorary Chair of the California Volunteers Commission, along with California Volunteers Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, and #CaliforniansForAll volunteers joined Republic FC volunteers to distribute meals and inspire others to help their community during a time of need. They have joined the club’s 260 volunteers who have made deliveries over 500 hours over eight weeks. 

What you all have been doing is a demonstration of both the power of me to we, and the recognition that we’re in this together and we’re going to get through this crisis together. I’m really proud to be a Sacramentan and a Californian and in the presence of these incredible organizations and individuals. – First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

What you all have been doing is a demonstration of both the power of me to we, and the recognition that we’re in this together and we’re going to get through this crisis together. I’m really proud to be a Sacramentan and a Californian and in the presence of these incredible organizations and individuals. – First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Led by the state’s Chief Service Officer, Josh Fryday, California Volunteers is the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering and civic action to tackle our State’s most pressing challenges while mobilizing all Californians to volunteer and serve in their communities.  The #CaliforniansForAll service initiative was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to build on the efforts of California Volunteers to establish a statewide volunteer corps to help with the state’s response to emergencies and disasters. More than 41,200 Californians have signed up for #CaliforniansForAll and nearly 35,000 have already been connected to organizations across the state that are in need of volunteers.

Led by the state’s Chief Service Officer, Josh Fryday, California Volunteers is the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering and civic action to tackle our State’s most pressing challenges while mobilizing all Californians to volunteer and serve in their communities.  The #CaliforniansForAll service initiative was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to build on the efforts of California Volunteers to establish a statewide volunteer corps to help with the state’s response to emergencies and disasters. More than 41,200 Californians have signed up for #CaliforniansForAll and nearly 35,000 have already been connected to organizations across the state that are in need of volunteers.

For three USL Championship seasons, Tommy Stewart was a lethal striker for the boys in Old Glory Red. 

When he arrived from across the Atlantic, the forward brought a title-winning pedigree and a precise finish. He was the perfect fit under new Head Coach Preki, a hardworking striker with an eye for net and a relentless drive that demanded nothing short of his best. 

For three USL Championship seasons, Tommy Stewart was a lethal striker for the boys in Old Glory Red. 

When he arrived from across the Atlantic, the forward brought a title-winning pedigree and a precise finish. He was the perfect fit under new Head Coach Preki, a hardworking striker with an eye for net and a relentless drive that demanded nothing short of his best. 

You've had a very impressive playing career, how much did your time in Sacramento mean to you?  

“It’s the club I reflect on the most because it goes beyond football for me, to be honest. It goes way beyond winning, I mean it was great to win, but I just look at it in terms of the community and what it meant to people. What football brings, how people can fully connect. I think we had 12, 13, maybe more nationalities of players coming in and we gelled straight away and had that chemistry. That’s difficult to do, and then you have the hard work, the dedication, and then you have the 12th man standing behind you, it’s not that you will win, but you’ll have a good go. You’ll have a good crack at it and then it’s consistency after that and the foundations were just stabilized straight away from the get-go. But it just seemed to keep getting better and better and better, it was like a layer came and then another layer and that’s probably the best way I can describe it because I’ve played with some great teams in some great matches but nothing had quite struck me like Sacramento.”

You’ve had a very impressive playing career, how much did your time in Sacramento mean to you?  

“It’s the club I reflect on the most because it goes beyond football for me, to be honest. It goes way beyond winning, I mean it was great to win, but I just look at it in terms of the community and what it meant to people. What football brings, how people can fully connect. I think we had 12, 13, maybe more nationalities of players coming in and we gelled straight away and had that chemistry. That’s difficult to do, and then you have the hard work, the dedication, and then you have the 12th man standing behind you, it’s not that you will win, but you’ll have a good go. You’ll have a good crack at it and then it’s consistency after that and the foundations were just stabilized straight away from the get-go. But it just seemed to keep getting better and better and better, it was like a layer came and then another layer and that’s probably the best way I can describe it because I’ve played with some great teams in some great matches but nothing had quite struck me like Sacramento.”

What was so compelling and exciting about joining Republic FC?

“You could tell how much it meant to this city to do something it’s never done before and it’s difficult because it’s a team that had never kicked a ball together before so everybody realistically took a risk joining the club, myself included, but it was an opportunity and sometimes when opportunities like this come up you want to take them but I looked at other clubs that I’ve played at, on paper at the time they were bigger clubs, so it’s up to you to build year after year after year, but for us to go into that and do something straight away, that’s unheard of. It was pretty amazing.”

What was so compelling and exciting about joining Republic FC?

“You could tell how much it meant to this city to do something it’s never done before and it’s difficult because it’s a team that had never kicked a ball together before so everybody realistically took a risk joining the club, myself included, but it was an opportunity and sometimes when opportunities like this come up you want to take them but I looked at other clubs that I’ve played at, on paper at the time they were bigger clubs, so it’s up to you to build year after year after year, but for us to go into that and do something straight away, that’s unheard of. It was pretty amazing.”

What was different about Republic FC that first season relative to other clubs you’ve represented?

“There wasn’t a huge difference in that clubs want to build the fanbase and community but that’s easier said than done. That doesn’t just happen, and in Sacramento, the capital of California, it should have a team so for us to be able to do that, and the way it unfolded, it was different than what I’ve experienced."

"I’ve been at some great clubs and the front offices were all brilliant but I think the difference for me was from the community, to the players, they sort of bounced off each other and I haven’t felt that at a team because I think people knew you as a footballer and as person. Usually at other teams, they know you as a footballer, as your profession. They don’t have that relationship where I think in Sacramento the fans and community really had a relationship with the players, the front office, and it just blended perfectly.”

What was different about Republic FC that first season relative to other clubs you’ve represented?

“There wasn’t a huge difference in that clubs want to build the fanbase and community but that’s easier said than done. That doesn’t just happen, and in Sacramento, the capital of California, it should have a team so for us to be able to do that, and the way it unfolded, it was different than what I’ve experienced.”

“I’ve been at some great clubs and the front offices were all brilliant but I think the difference for me was from the community, to the players, they sort of bounced off each other and I haven’t felt that at a team because I think people knew you as a footballer and as person. Usually at other teams, they know you as a footballer, as your profession. They don’t have that relationship where I think in Sacramento the fans and community really had a relationship with the players, the front office, and it just blended perfectly.”

How would you describe your style of play you were bringing to Sacramento and how did it fit so perfectly into the system that first season?

“I was probably coming into my peak and coming off the back of quite a lot of silverware, so I was still so hungry to do something and do damage in that league. It just felt like, for me, number one, first and foremost is hard work. I’ll always be a hard-working player. I’ll always make sure I’m at my best fitness and I want to show the coaches and players see that around me that I’m a fighter and no matter what, I’ll fight."

"More importantly, I think your attitude and professionalism are two of the biggest things I would bring and once they blend, you can’t go wrong, you’ll have success. But I’m a team player and I think that is what players appreciated most about me, I’ll do the donkey work and the hard work and defending that you don’t get credited for sometimes. You can have an unbelievable game as a good defensive striker but you could have a bad game and score a goal and people will go ‘oh, well he scored’ so sometimes it’s better to have a bad game and score. The key for our team was really going after it, giving 100% and we were able to recruit a team that understood that."

How would you describe your style of play you were bringing to Sacramento and how did it fit so perfectly into the system that first season?

“I was probably coming into my peak and coming off the back of quite a lot of silverware, so I was still so hungry to do something and do damage in that league. It just felt like, for me, number one, first and foremost is hard work. I’ll always be a hard-working player. I’ll always make sure I’m at my best fitness and I want to show the coaches and players see that around me that I’m a fighter and no matter what, I’ll fight.”

“More importantly, I think your attitude and professionalism are two of the biggest things I would bring and once they blend, you can’t go wrong, you’ll have success. But I’m a team player and I think that is what players appreciated most about me, I’ll do the donkey work and the hard work and defending that you don’t get credited for sometimes. You can have an unbelievable game as a good defensive striker but you could have a bad game and score a goal and people will go ‘oh, well he scored’ so sometimes it’s better to have a bad game and score. The key for our team was really going after it, giving 100% and we were able to recruit a team that understood that.”

You finished the regular season strong with four goals in your last two games, was this when you and the team were finding your best form?

 “I think as the season grew, the whole team was really finding out about itself and really believing we could go out and win. If you look back, we played Harrisburg City in the first game of the year and lost to them. We felt like we were the better team, but we ended up losing to them, funny how it turned around in the final. I think once you get a new team and it’s gelling and coming together, I think you get a few defeats or a couple of draws and you think ‘we could have done better but let’s stick together and try to jog out a few wins’ because it will click, and it clicked for us."

"Certainly going into the last seven or eight games, we were really hitting good form and that’s what you want, but we felt we could score from anywhere on the pitch and for me, as a striker, you could have a bad game but still be a threat because we had a good enough team where if someone didn’t score, another would. If I didn't score, RoRo would. If RoRo wouldn't score, someone else would. We weren't afraid of anybody, we were afraid of making our own mistakes. We felt defensively good from front to back so the only way another team was going to score was if we made one or two mistakes and give them opportunities.”

You finished the regular season strong with four goals in your last two games, was this when you and the team were finding your best form?

 “I think as the season grew, the whole team was really finding out about itself and really believing we could go out and win. If you look back, we played Harrisburg City in the first game of the year and lost to them. We felt like we were the better team, but we ended up losing to them, funny how it turned around in the final. I think once you get a new team and it’s gelling and coming together, I think you get a few defeats or a couple of draws and you think ‘we could have done better but let’s stick together and try to jog out a few wins’ because it will click, and it clicked for us.”

“Certainly going into the last seven or eight games, we were really hitting good form and that’s what you want, but we felt we could score from anywhere on the pitch and for me, as a striker, you could have a bad game but still be a threat because we had a good enough team where if someone didn’t score, another would. If I didn’t score, RoRo would. If RoRo wouldn’t score, someone else would. We weren’t afraid of anybody, we were afraid of making our own mistakes. We felt defensively good from front to back so the only way another team was going to score was if we made one or two mistakes and give them opportunities.”

When did you first fully believe that this could be a title-winning team?

“I fully believed it when I signed, that was one of the things I said I was going to do when I signed, way before we did win, I said I’m coming here to win. I believed we would win, or challenge, at the start of the season but once the season unfolds, anything can happen. Players get injured, there’s different components like red cards, illnesses to players, form that you can’t guarantee – but I always thought that if we could string together five or six games well, and you’re staying with the pack at the top, then that’s when you can hit your potential."

"We had a few young players that were talented enough to take another step, myself included, and I really felt we kept on and there was a month where we peaked and then it was just a matter of staying humble and focused and hardworking and it was a matter of hitting the training ground on a Monday and just going 100% again.”

When did you first fully believe that this could be a title-winning team?

“I fully believed it when I signed, that was one of the things I said I was going to do when I signed, way before we did win, I said I’m coming here to win. I believed we would win, or challenge, at the start of the season but once the season unfolds, anything can happen. Players get injured, there’s different components like red cards, illnesses to players, form that you can’t guarantee – but I always thought that if we could string together five or six games well, and you’re staying with the pack at the top, then that’s when you can hit your potential.”

“We had a few young players that were talented enough to take another step, myself included, and I really felt we kept on and there was a month where we peaked and then it was just a matter of staying humble and focused and hardworking and it was a matter of hitting the training ground on a Monday and just going 100% again.”

Without The Miracle at Bonney, there is no championship. Can you describe that special night in the Semifinal?

“You know it’s going to be a big game against LA. You know what’s next when you get through. And not even from a player’s self, I think it was just from the media and the crowd and walking out of the tunnel hearing everyone screaming ‘let’s beat LA!’ and as players, it becomes not just a game of football, it becomes let’s play football and let’s beat LA.”

“I just remember Joe Wagoner saying when the rain came, there was a different twist in the air. There was… can I describe it? Probably not, but I don’t need to really because I think everybody that was there knows exactly what I mean. The pendulum just swung, and you could just sense that if we only needed one chance to score and it fell to RoRo. Then we got the second goal and I just remember us having that belief because we had scored a lot of goals through the season as a team and thankfully, we had a couple dead ball situations where RoRo put them away."

Without The Miracle at Bonney, there is no championship. Can you describe that special night in the Semifinal?

“You know it’s going to be a big game against LA. You know what’s next when you get through. And not even from a player’s self, I think it was just from the media and the crowd and walking out of the tunnel hearing everyone screaming ‘let’s beat LA!’ and as players, it becomes not just a game of football, it becomes let’s play football and let’s beat LA.”

“I just remember Joe Wagoner saying when the rain came, there was a different twist in the air. There was… can I describe it? Probably not, but I don’t need to really because I think everybody that was there knows exactly what I mean. The pendulum just swung, and you could just sense that if we only needed one chance to score and it fell to RoRo. Then we got the second goal and I just remember us having that belief because we had scored a lot of goals through the season as a team and thankfully, we had a couple dead ball situations where RoRo put them away.”

The Miracle had to be physically and emotionally exhausting, could you celebrate or was it full-steam ahead and full focus on the championship?

“As much as we wanted to celebrate that night, I think the emotion of the game, we worked so hard as a team to get through to the next round and we dug in and there was almost a relief in the air because even though we were a good team with good players, if you lose that game, nobody cares, nobody watches the final, season gone. I think it was gratitude for all the hard work then you totally regain focus the next morning, it’s back to a recovery session and there’s no talk of the game. It’s just a matter of pure focus, pure dedication, turn your attention to Harrisburg, Harrisburg beat us the first game of the season, what are you going to do? Simple as that, really.”

“No time for celebration. Miracle? It’s not a miracle if we don’t win the final. It’s a comeback, and it wouldn’t have been called the miracle if we didn’t win the title because it means so much more that fact that we won the final, with our fans, at home, the very first year. It’s phenomenal.” 

The Miracle had to be physically and emotionally exhausting, could you celebrate or was it full-steam ahead and full focus on the championship?

“As much as we wanted to celebrate that night, I think the emotion of the game, we worked so hard as a team to get through to the next round and we dug in and there was almost a relief in the air because even though we were a good team with good players, if you lose that game, nobody cares, nobody watches the final, season gone. I think it was gratitude for all the hard work then you totally regain focus the next morning, it’s back to a recovery session and there’s no talk of the game. It’s just a matter of pure focus, pure dedication, turn your attention to Harrisburg, Harrisburg beat us the first game of the season, what are you going to do? Simple as that, really.”

“No time for celebration. Miracle? It’s not a miracle if we don’t win the final. It’s a comeback, and it wouldn’t have been called the miracle if we didn’t win the title because it means so much more that fact that we won the final, with our fans, at home, the very first year. It’s phenomenal.” 

What was the build up like to the championship after that wild win over LA?

“It put everything into perspective, this was why I made that first decision to come to Sacramento, so far away from home. I believed in the project and we saw the project unravel. We had a group of very loyal and talented players but without the hard work, you don’t get too far. But leading up to it, it was just special because you knew it was at home, you had that slight advantage and we were really good at home. It felt like the night favored us, but you don’t want to get caught up in that. You had business to take care of and we had history to take care of. You go into the match thinking, ‘you either want to be part of history or you don’t’.”

What was the build up like to the championship after that wild win over LA?

“It put everything into perspective, this was why I made that first decision to come to Sacramento, so far away from home. I believed in the project and we saw the project unravel. We had a group of very loyal and talented players but without the hard work, you don’t get too far. But leading up to it, it was just special because you knew it was at home, you had that slight advantage and we were really good at home. It felt like the night favored us, but you don’t want to get caught up in that. You had business to take care of and we had history to take care of. You go into the match thinking, ‘you either want to be part of history or you don’t’.”

You scored the final goal in the final game, that had to have been one of the most special moments of your career…

“Most definitely. It was the last goal of the season, the one that clinched the final. Just so much weight, what it meant to me. It meant everything to me and still does. I knew I was going to score; I just knew. I couldn’t start the game; I pulled a nerve and thought I had a hamstring strain but I knew it wasn’t a hamstring strain I just knew I wasn’t 100% so I didn’t start and at the beginning of the match I told Preki I’ll come on and score, I just need some time and I knew I was going to score. I came on and had a couple of chances, it was coming, and whenever the ball came in from James Kiffe I took a touch and beat the keeper and put it in the back of the net but in that moment, you knew you had come through and once that second goal went in, there was no way back. The game is dead, the game is done, we had won. You can just play out the last minute, smiling, and a half knowing deep down that you had won and this is over and my whole family was there in the crowd – my sister, my mom, my dad – so that made it that much more special for me.”

"My mom passed away but she got to see something so special and I'm thankful for things like that because it all goes back to the beginning. I think extending the chance for my family to go to America and try this, for them they weren't really knowing what it was going to be like with me taking a risk, but all of it came together it that moment. It felt amazing, it just really felt amazing and I'll forever remember that moment."

You scored the final goal in the final game, that had to have been one of the most special moments of your career…

“Most definitely. It was the last goal of the season, the one that clinched the final. Just so much weight, what it meant to me. It meant everything to me and still does. I knew I was going to score; I just knew. I couldn’t start the game; I pulled a nerve and thought I had a hamstring strain but I knew it wasn’t a hamstring strain I just knew I wasn’t 100% so I didn’t start and at the beginning of the match I told Preki I’ll come on and score, I just need some time and I knew I was going to score. I came on and had a couple of chances, it was coming, and whenever the ball came in from James Kiffe I took a touch and beat the keeper and put it in the back of the net but in that moment, you knew you had come through and once that second goal went in, there was no way back. The game is dead, the game is done, we had won. You can just play out the last minute, smiling, and a half knowing deep down that you had won and this is over and my whole family was there in the crowd – my sister, my mom, my dad – so that made it that much more special for me.”

“My mom passed away but she got to see something so special and I’m thankful for things like that because it all goes back to the beginning. I think extending the chance for my family to go to America and try this, for them they weren’t really knowing what it was going to be like with me taking a risk, but all of it came together it that moment. It felt amazing, it just really felt amazing and I’ll forever remember that moment.”

FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund clashed in the German Clasico during the week with the Bavarian club earning a 1-0 win on the road and took one massive closer towards another Bundesliga crown. 

FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund clashed in the German Clasico during the week with the Bavarian club earning a 1-0 win on the road and took one massive closer towards another Bundesliga crown. 

FC Bayern took the lead in the 43rd minute by way of a Joshua Kimmich cheeky chip that caught Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burkl out of position. The lone goal was all Bayern needed to take all three points back to Munich and claim a seven-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga. 

Both Bayern and Dortmund face fixtures over the upcoming weekend against clubs currently nestled in the relegation zone, as Fortuna Düsseldorf visits the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PT and Dortmund travels to SC Paderborn 07 on Sunday at 9 a.m. PT. 

FC Bayern took the lead in the 43rd minute by way of a Joshua Kimmich cheeky chip that caught Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burkl out of position. The lone goal was all Bayern needed to take all three points back to Munich and claim a seven-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga. 

Both Bayern and Dortmund face fixtures over the upcoming weekend against clubs currently nestled in the relegation zone, as Fortuna Düsseldorf visits the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PT and Dortmund travels to SC Paderborn 07 on Sunday at 9 a.m. PT. 

Bayer 04 Leverkusen briefly had control of third in the standings following a shocking 3-1 road win over Borussia  Mönchengladbach last weekend with Kai Havertz netting another pair of goals, but Leverkusen slipped up midweek at home against VfL Wolfsburg following a 4-1 drumming. Now sitting in fifth, Leverkusen need travel to a tricky eighth-place SC Freiburg at 11:30 a.m. PT on Friday. 

Level on points with 53 but above Leverkusen in the standings sits Mönchengladbach who after suffering the home defeat, earned an away point against Werder Bremen on Tuesday following a 0-0 stalemate. On Sunday morning, Mönchengladbach will host Union Berlin before hitting the road for back-to-back formidable fixtures against Freiburg followed by FC Bayern Munich in two weeks. 

Bayer 04 Leverkusen briefly had control of third in the standings following a shocking 3-1 road win over Borussia  Mönchengladbach last weekend with Kai Havertz netting another pair of goals, but Leverkusen slipped up midweek at home against VfL Wolfsburg following a 4-1 drumming. Now sitting in fifth, Leverkusen need travel to a tricky eighth-place SC Freiburg at 11:30 a.m. PT on Friday. 

Level on points with 53 but above Leverkusen in the standings sits Mönchengladbach who after suffering the home defeat, earned an away point against Werder Bremen on Tuesday following a 0-0 stalemate. On Sunday morning, Mönchengladbach will host Union Berlin before hitting the road for back-to-back formidable fixtures against Freiburg followed by FC Bayern Munich in two weeks. 

Watching the boys in Old Glory Red compete on Papa Murphy Park’s pitch is something Sacramento soccer fans look forward every season. Since the pandemic isn’t currently allowing for supporters to see Republic FC in person, fans can relive some of the memorable moments and matches from over the years by way of Republic Rewind. 

Watching the boys in Old Glory Red compete on Papa Murphy Park’s pitch is something Sacramento soccer fans look forward every season. Since the pandemic isn’t currently allowing for supporters to see Republic FC in person, fans can relive some of the memorable moments and matches from over the years by way of Republic Rewind. 

This week’s fixture is the forever famous 2014 USL Championship match against Harrisburg City Islanders.  

It was something out of a storybook. 

The very first season of professional soccer in Sacramento saw the Indomitable Club make a magical playoff run, complete an improbable comeback in the Semifinals and see through victory in the Championship itself. It was such an impactful and unforgettable run, that the club brought back the original kit design as the 2020 Heritage Kit with a white top and iconic red sash. 

This week’s fixture is the forever famous 2014 USL Championship match against Harrisburg City Islanders.  

It was something out of a storybook. 

The very first season of professional soccer in Sacramento saw the Indomitable Club make a magical playoff run, complete an improbable comeback in the Semifinals and see through victory in the Championship itself. It was such an impactful and unforgettable run, that the club brought back the original kit design as the 2020 Heritage Kit with a white top and iconic red sash. 

Rodrigo Lopez – midfielder for SRFC
He’s back and he’s ready for more silverware! RoRo returned to Republic FC prior to the start of the 2020 USL Championship season and the midfielder is thrilled for his second stint in an Old Glory Red kit. 

Jake Gleeson – assistant coach at St. Mary’s
After manning the net for SRFC in 2014, he returned to Portland Timbers from his loan deal and continued to play for Portland until the end of the 2018 season. After his time with the boys in Old Glory Red, Gleeson made over 50 MLS starts for the Pacific Northwest club before joining Saint Mary’s College as a goalkeeper coach in early 2020.  

Chad Bartlome – runs soccer academy in Switzerland
He may be retired, but his love for the game still drives Bartlome as he runs the Bartlome Soccer Academy in Basel, Switzerland where he resides with his wife and son. In an interview with The Union after being inducted into the Nevada Union Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019, Bartlome said – “One of the proudest moments for me has to be when I scored a header for Sacramento Republic FC in front of over 20,000 fans at Hughes Stadium. It was in the 93rdminute of one of the first home matches during the club’s first season to tie the game 1-1.”

Rodrigo Lopez – midfielder for SRFC
He’s back and he’s ready for more silverware! RoRo returned to Republic FC prior to the start of the 2020 USL Championship season and the midfielder is thrilled for his second stint in an Old Glory Red kit. 

Jake Gleeson – assistant coach at St. Mary’s
After manning the net for SRFC in 2014, he returned to Portland Timbers from his loan deal and continued to play for Portland until the end of the 2018 season. After his time with the boys in Old Glory Red, Gleeson made over 50 MLS starts for the Pacific Northwest club before joining Saint Mary’s College as a goalkeeper coach in early 2020.  

Chad Bartlome – runs soccer academy in Switzerland
He may be retired, but his love for the game still drives Bartlome as he runs the Bartlome Soccer Academy in Basel, Switzerland where he resides with his wife and son. In an interview with The Union after being inducted into the Nevada Union Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019, Bartlome said – “One of the proudest moments for me has to be when I scored a header for Sacramento Republic FC in front of over 20,000 fans at Hughes Stadium. It was in the 93rdminute of one of the first home matches during the club’s first season to tie the game 1-1.”

Max Alvarez – last played for Napa Valley 1839 FC in 2019
Alvarez joined Saint Louis FC in 2017 after making over 50 starts across all competitions for Republic FC. The former Sacramento State midfielder went on trial with Todd Dunivant’s San Francisco Deltas before the Bay Area club’s one-and-done title-winning season. In 2018, Alvarez made his way back home to Napa where he grew up to join NPSL-club Napa Valley 1839 FC. 

Dakota Collins – former Orange County FC striker, coaching SoCal youth soccer
The forward made double-digit appearances for the club in 2014 after Collins joined Croatian club NK HASK in 2015, he returned to the states in 2018 to join Orange County FC of the NPSL where the forward continued scoring goals in California but is now coaching youth teams in orange county.

Nemanja Vukovic – FC Tulsa Assistant Coach
After a solid career in Sacramento, Vukovic joined Indy Eleven before signing with Tulsa Roughnecks in 2018. Following the season, the defender began the transition into coaching and is now on the technical staff at FC Tulsa. 

Max Alvarez – last played for Napa Valley 1839 FC in 2019
Alvarez joined Saint Louis FC in 2017 after making over 50 starts across all competitions for Republic FC. The former Sacramento State midfielder went on trial with Todd Dunivant’s San Francisco Deltas before the Bay Area club’s one-and-done title-winning season. In 2018, Alvarez made his way back home to Napa where he grew up to join NPSL-club Napa Valley 1839 FC. 

Dakota Collins – former Orange County FC striker, coaching SoCal youth soccer
The forward made double-digit appearances for the club in 2014 after Collins joined Croatian club NK HASK in 2015, he returned to the states in 2018 to join Orange County FC of the NPSL where the forward continued scoring goals in California but is now coaching youth teams in orange county.

Nemanja Vukovic – FC Tulsa Assistant Coach
After a solid career in Sacramento, Vukovic joined Indy Eleven before signing with Tulsa Roughnecks in 2018. Following the season, the defender began the transition into coaching and is now on the technical staff at FC Tulsa. 

Ivan Mirkovic – former Fresno FC assistant coach
Until the club ceased operations following the 2019 season, Mirkovic was a player/coach for Fresno FC after last playing a full professional season solely as a player in 2019 with Tulsa Roughnecks. After Mirkovic departed Sacramento following the 2015 season, the midfielder found some playing time with Orange County Blues in 2016 and Saint Louis FC in 2017 before signing in Oklahoma. 

Octavio Guzman – Oakland Roots midfielder
The Mexican midfielder was a reliable option for SRFC from 2014-2016 until Guzman made his was to Saint Louis FC for the 2017 season. But in 2019, Guzman joined Oakland Roots where he made a handful of appearances for the Bay Area club. 

Mickey Daly – retired
After Daly left Sacramento, the defender played in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Oklahoma before making his way back to California in 2018 to play for FC Fresno. Daly was a staple in a sturdy Fresno backline but in February 2020, Daly hung up his boots and called it a career. In his parting message to fans on Instagram, he included a picture of the 2014 title-winning team hoisting the coveted silverware.  

Ivan Mirkovic – former Fresno FC assistant coach
Until the club ceased operations following the 2019 season, Mirkovic was a player/coach for Fresno FC after last playing a full professional season solely as a player in 2019 with Tulsa Roughnecks. After Mirkovic departed Sacramento following the 2015 season, the midfielder found some playing time with Orange County Blues in 2016 and Saint Louis FC in 2017 before signing in Oklahoma. 

Octavio Guzman – Oakland Roots midfielder
The Mexican midfielder was a reliable option for SRFC from 2014-2016 until Guzman made his was to Saint Louis FC for the 2017 season. But in 2019, Guzman joined Oakland Roots where he made a handful of appearances for the Bay Area club. 

Mickey Daly – retired
After Daly left Sacramento, the defender played in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Oklahoma before making his way back to California in 2018 to play for FC Fresno. Daly was a staple in a sturdy Fresno backline but in February 2020, Daly hung up his boots and called it a career. In his parting message to fans on Instagram, he included a picture of the 2014 title-winning team hoisting the coveted silverware.  

James Kiffe – El Paso Locomotive FC LB in 2019
The left back left SRFC following the 2017 season and joined Reno 1868 FC before reaching an agreement with Charlotte Independence during the 2018 campaign. In 2019, Kiffe was a staple for El Paso Locomotive’s defense and his services over the years have been recognized by The Athletic as an honorable mention at left back for the USL and NASL combined team of the decade. 

Jack Avesyan – last played for Republic FC
His last professional game was back in 2014 with the Indomitable Club but in 2012 Avesyan played alongside current Republic FC head coach Mark Briggs while the two were with Wilmington Hammerheads. 

Gilberto – midfielder for Goias EC
The Brazilian midfielder is still going strong and Gilberto is plying his trade in his home country with Goias EC in Brazil’s top division Serie A. In 2019, he made 20 appearances during league play and even scored his first career goal. 

James Kiffe – El Paso Locomotive FC LB in 2019
The left back left SRFC following the 2017 season and joined Reno 1868 FC before reaching an agreement with Charlotte Independence during the 2018 campaign. In 2019, Kiffe was a staple for El Paso Locomotive’s defense and his services over the years have been recognized by The Athletic as an honorable mention at left back for the USL and NASL combined team of the decade. 

Jack Avesyan – last played for Republic FC
His last professional game was back in 2014 with the Indomitable Club but in 2012 Avesyan played alongside current Republic FC head coach Mark Briggs while the two were with Wilmington Hammerheads. 

Gilberto – midfielder for Goias EC
The Brazilian midfielder is still going strong and Gilberto is plying his trade in his home country with Goias EC in Brazil’s top division Serie A. In 2019, he made 20 appearances during league play and even scored his first career goal. 

Justin Braun – retired
When Braun arrived in the California capital, he brought with him over 100 MLS appearances under his belt and over 25 goals. Braun continued scoring during his two seasons in Sacramento – netting a dozen – before joining Eastern Conference USL-side Indy Eleven where his last pro season was in 2018. 

Carlos Martinez – last played for Tulsa Roughnecks
The San Pedro-native started nine matches for SRFC and netted his only goal in a friendly against Scottish-side Rangers FC. Martinez joined Tulsa Roughnecks in 2016 where he made over 20 appearances for the club from the Sooner State and scored his only goal during his debut match. 

Dominik Jakubek – began transitioning into coaching in 2019 
The veteran netminder spent four seasons with the Indomitable Club before joining Reno 1868 FC in 2018 and when he did, he claimed the title of USL’s oldest player at the age of 39. When he signed with Reno, it was to be a third ‘keeper/goalie coach so Jakubek is starting to consider the next phase of his impressive soccer career. 

Justin Braun – retired
When Braun arrived in the California capital, he brought with him over 100 MLS appearances under his belt and over 25 goals. Braun continued scoring during his two seasons in Sacramento – netting a dozen – before joining Eastern Conference USL-side Indy Eleven where his last pro season was in 2018. 

Carlos Martinez – last played for Tulsa Roughnecks
The San Pedro-native started nine matches for SRFC and netted his only goal in a friendly against Scottish-side Rangers FC. Martinez joined Tulsa Roughnecks in 2016 where he made over 20 appearances for the club from the Sooner State and scored his only goal during his debut match. 

Dominik Jakubek – began transitioning into coaching in 2019 
The veteran netminder spent four seasons with the Indomitable Club before joining Reno 1868 FC in 2018 and when he did, he claimed the title of USL’s oldest player at the age of 39. When he signed with Reno, it was to be a third ‘keeper/goalie coach so Jakubek is starting to consider the next phase of his impressive soccer career. 

Cristian Gonzalez – last played with SRFC
The Mexican defender joined Republic FC from the Houston Dynamo Academy system and made six starts for the Indomitable Club in 2014 which wound up being his final professional season. 

Gabe Gissie – joined Rhode Island Reds FC in December
The Liberian forward represented Republic FC until 2017 but Gissie has recently found a new home in the Northeast with Rhode Island Reds FC of the NPSL. 

JJ Koval – retired, currently studying dentistry
Between 2014-2015, Koval was on loan from MLS-side San Jose Earthquakes but made the move permanent in 2016 when he made nearly 30 appearances for the Indomitable Club across all competitions. Now retired, Koval is attending Creighton University School of Dentistry to pursue a career as a dentist. 

Cristian Gonzalez – last played with SRFC
The Mexican defender joined Republic FC from the Houston Dynamo Academy system and made six starts for the Indomitable Club in 2014 which wound up being his final professional season. 

Gabe Gissie – joined Rhode Island Reds FC in December
The Liberian forward represented Republic FC until 2017 but Gissie has recently found a new home in the Northeast with Rhode Island Reds FC of the NPSL. 

JJ Koval – retired, currently studying dentistry
Between 2014-2015, Koval was on loan from MLS-side San Jose Earthquakes but made the move permanent in 2016 when he made nearly 30 appearances for the Indomitable Club across all competitions. Now retired, Koval is attending Creighton University School of Dentistry to pursue a career as a dentist. 

Agustin Cazarez – recently was on-trial with Ostersund FK
Four seasons Cazarez spent with Republic FC until the midfielder joined Fresno FC in 2018. Nowadays, Cazarez is still pushing to find a place in a top league as the Reseda, California-native most recently was on-trial with Swedish Premier League Club Ostersund FK in the summer of 2019. 

Steven Evans – University of Portland coach
Evans spent a single season with SRFC in 2014 while on-loan from MLS’s Portland Timbers where he made double digit appearances and scored one goal. The midfielder returned to Timbers for the 2015 season and retired following the Pacific Northwest club’s topflight campaign. He has since returned to his alma mater in 2016 as a coach for the University of Portland. 

Preki – Seattle Sounders FC assistant coach
The former USMNT player and SRFC title-winning head coach is still managing at the highest level as an assistant for MLS-side Seattle Sounders FC. After coaching Saint Louis FC for the 2017 season, Preki joined the Seattle coaching staff where he continues to help develop the top young talent and share his priceless soccer wisdom. 

Agustin Cazarez – recently was on-trial with Ostersund FK
Four seasons Cazarez spent with Republic FC until the midfielder joined Fresno FC in 2018. Nowadays, Cazarez is still pushing to find a place in a top league as the Reseda, California-native most recently was on-trial with Swedish Premier League Club Ostersund FK in the summer of 2019. 

Steven Evans – University of Portland coach
Evans spent a single season with SRFC in 2014 while on-loan from MLS’s Portland Timbers where he made double digit appearances and scored one goal. The midfielder returned to Timbers for the 2015 season and retired following the Pacific Northwest club’s topflight campaign. He has since returned to his alma mater in 2016 as a coach for the University of Portland. 

Preki – Seattle Sounders FC assistant coach
The former USMNT player and SRFC title-winning head coach is still managing at the highest level as an assistant for MLS-side Seattle Sounders FC. After coaching Saint Louis FC for the 2017 season, Preki joined the Seattle coaching staff where he continues to help develop the top young talent and share his priceless soccer wisdom.