USA Tour 2015: Sacramento Republic

By James Keep

 

Sacramento Republic v Newcastle United

Saturday, 18th July - 8pm kick-off local time

Bonney Field, Sacramento

 

For Newcastle United's second stop on their pre-season tour of America, the Magpies take on Sacramento Republic, a team based in Sacramento, the Northern California city that also serves as the capital of the expansive West Coast State.

Republic compete in the United Soccer League (USL), currently ranked as the country's third division, although the league's board are currently pursuing - and will eventually achieve - second division status.

Much like both Liga MX and MLS, USL features a league system that sees the top teams progress into a play-off system.

With the top eight teams (out of a total of 14) advancing to last season's play-offs, Republic dispatched Wilmington Hammerheads and LA Galaxy II on their route to the final before beating Harrisburg City Islanders to be crowned USL Champions.

However, things have become considerably more difficult for the reigning champions this year, as USL jumped from 14 to 24 teams for the start of the new season and subsequently split into two conferences of 12.

Yet, while the Republic may find themselves in flux following the recent loss of their head coach, they currently sit second in the Western Conference and, with the top six teams from each advancing to the play-offs, they look on course to once again reach the post-season.

 

History

Only formed in December 2012, Sacramento Republic have been an instant success story.

They became league champions in their first USL campaign and their first home game set a new USL regular season attendance record, with 20,231 turning up to watch their new team in action.

High attendance would become a theme for the Californian side, and although the team would later move to the then-8,000 seater Bonney Field - the venue for their match against Newcastle - their average attendance for the season was 11,293, with both play-off games reaching 8,000 sell-outs.

Attendance at the venue has been expanded to 11,442 this season, so expect a relatively big crowd on matchday.

The team has been very open about their desire to one day become an MLS side and, with MLS admitting it will expand beyond 24 teams, it's really a question of when, not if, Republic are awarded a franchise.

They have actively courted North America's top flight and, with the team's list of investors including majority owners from both the NFL's San Francisco 49'ers and the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and plans in place to build a gorgeous, 18,000-capacity stadium in downtown Sacramento on the site of the old Railyards should they be granted a spot, it is also likely to be sooner rather than later when they receive their place.

Despite this only being their second year in existence, Republic also already have plenty of experience against British opposition, playing back-to-back summer friendlies against West Bromwich Albion last year along with a game against Glasgow Rangers - and they also beat Sunderland 1-0 earlier this week.

 

Manager

Much like previous opponents Club Atlas, and indeed Newcastle United, Sacramento Republic find themselves with a new head coach.

Until last Saturday the club had been coached by Predrag Radosavljević, affectionately known simply as 'Preki', a name which may be familiar to some for his time in England with both Everton and Portsmouth.

However, Preki has now departed the club to take a coaching position in England, and was replaced by Paul Buckle, an Englishman whose managerial experience with teams in the English lower divisions comes with mixed results.

His greatest success came with Luton Town, who he led to an ultimately unsuccessful Conference play-off final and an FA Cup fourth round victory over Norwich City.

Buckle has his work cut out in the tougher league this season, maintaining the success that Preki achieved and the game against Newcastle will be just his second in charge, with his first coming against Sunderland just four days before.

 

Players

The biggest danger to watch out for is Rodrigo Lopez, who has so far scored nine goals in 14 appearances this season.

The Mexican-born, former-US youth international has often struggled on the highest stage but seems to have found his perfect level with Republic.

Beyond him there is team captain Justin Braun, who played for four MLS sides prior to finding a home in Northern California, and David Estrada, the former Seattle Sounders midfielder who was always on the verge but could never quite force his way into the first team and, after being cut by DC United at the end of last season, found himself landing with Sacramento.

There is also Octavio Guzman who, much like Rodrigo Lopez, was born in Guadalajara and helps provide the team with options going forward.

 

Things to do

While in Sacramento there are plenty of other things to do to keep you occupied on your trip.

With Bonney Field, Republic's home ground, located at the site of the Californian Exposition, why not take some time exploring the venue and all it has to offer, including the Raging Waters water park located next door.

If you want a bit of history, check out either the State Railroad Museum, Crocker's Art Museum or, for a taste of what life was like back during the gold rush, visit the Old Sacramento State Historic Park or Fort Sutter.

Northern California is also the heart of wine country in the US, with several vineyards and wineries located within an hour's drive of the city.

If you're looking to go somewhere else for a day, San Francisco is also only an-hour-and-a-half away via car and Yosemite national park is just two-and-a-half hours away.