Republic FC and Special Olympics Northern California Unified Team is back for its second season to celebrate inclusion on the pitch and offer a unique way for players with disabilities to compete. The squad has been preparing for its opening night against San Jose Earthquakes since April. The squad features 20 local athletes – including 13 athletes from the inaugural side — that will don the Republic FC crest and kit on the pitch just as players on the first team do.
- Saturday, May 25 – Kickoff after the first team match against Tampa Bay
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Fans attending Saturday’s match are encouraged to stay and watch the Unified Team take on the San Jose Earthquakes Unified Team
The two teams faced off last October in Sacramento’s first-ever Unified Team match, a 3-1 result favoring the Bay Area side. It was a tight contest, tied 1-1 deep into the second half before late scores tallied by the visitors.
Unified sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Republic FC’s squad is coached by Filip Handl, the club’s Manager of Soccer Programming and a longtime volunteer with Special Olympics Northern California. He’s joined on the sidelines by Assistant Head Coaches Nick and Shelly Suarez and Joanna Pastor, each a veteran of serving Special Olympics programs across the region.
Across the U.S. soccer community, unified teams are taking to the pitch and showing off their skills. All 29 clubs in Major League Soccer and six in USL Championship and USL League One field a Unified Team in partnership with local Special Olympics chapters. With more in development and set to take the pitch across the country in the coming year, the program has a big future ahead.
