League News

Earlier today, the USL Championship released the annual bracket poll for Goal of the Year, asking fans to select the top score of the 2022 season. Republic FC midfielder Luis Felipe has been nominated for the honor for his late equalizer against Oakland Roots SC on July 9. Voting for the first round, featuring Luis Felipe against Oakland Roots SC’s Charlie Dennis, is open now at USLSoccer.com.

Republic FC’s July 9 contest with Oakland Roots SC didn’t lack dramatic moments. The 3-3 draw was a back and forth affair, with Sacramento scoring first but having to come back to secure a result. Down a score in the final moments of second half stoppage time, Republic FC pushed forward with time for one last attack. As Rodrigo Lopez chased down a long ball into the corner and beat a defender, Luis Felipe  moved into the penalty box and a great position to get a head on Lopez’s cross for an equalizing score. Stealing a point away at the last moment, the goal was voted the Week 18 Goal of the Week, as well as the July Goal of the Month. It was the midfielder’s second straight match-deciding score, and extended the club’s home unbeaten streak to 11 matches.

The nomination marks the second consecutive season that Luis Felipe has been nominated for the league’s annual top strike. In 2021, his surprise score from 35 yards out against Tacoma Defiance made the final round of voting.

First-round voting for the honor is open now at USLSoccer.com. The new voting process requires a simple registration. Should Luis Felipe advance, his score will move on to the semifinal poll.

The 2022 playoffs have come and gone, with a champion being crowed this past week. But dazzling performances came from every team in the bracket, making for a memorable month of action.

Earlier today, the USL Championship announced that Rodrigo Lopez’s score against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Semifinal has been nominated for the League’s Goal of the Playoffs, acknowledging the top strike on the league’s path to the title.

Lopez’s score gave Republic FC an early advantage against their second-round foe. After winning the ball in the back, Dan Casey surveyed the field and played a long ball in the air to Lopez streaking behind the hosts’ backline. After taking a touch, Sacramento’s captain put a composed chip-shot attempt into the net to give his club the lead in the 18^th minute of play.

This is the second consecutive season that Lopez has been nominated for the honor. The midfielder won the 2021 honor, taking home the fan vote for a free kick score that led Rio Grande Valley FC to an upset of top seeded Phoenix Rising FC.

Voting for the honor is open now at USLChampionship.com, and runs through Friday, November 19 at 9:00 a.m. PT.

Sacramento, Calif.– Earlier today, the USL Championship announced the 2022 All-League teams, honoring the best players across the league for the season. Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo Lopez was named to the All-League First Team alongside ten other top performers from seven other clubs.

“RoRo played the best soccer of his career last season as club captain,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He was an integral part of our collective success in league, cup and post-season play helping us reach new heights this season.”  

Lopez appeared in 25 of 34 regular season matches for Sacramento, while starting each contest in the club’s run to the U.S. Open Cup Final. He finished 2022 with 1,894 minutes in league play, and captained Sacramento in each of his 21 starts on the season. In regular season play, he finished tied for the team lead in goals with seven – and added another in the playoffs.

He led in team assists with eight during the regular season – his second-highest total for a season in his professional career. He finished the regular season with 59 chances created, good for 10^th in the league and 3^rd in the Western Conference.

He delivered for his club in critical moments all season long. On opening night against El Paso Locomotive FC, he scored the club’s first goal of the year from the penalty spot, then a critical equalizer just before halftime. On June 25, just four days after netting the opening score against LA Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup, he came off the bench and assisted the first of two goals from Maalique Foster in a come-from behind win over Monterey Bay F.C. He helped the club to results in two home rivalry matches against Oakland Roots, assisting a last-second equalizer on July 9 to secure a 3-3 draw and the winner in the club’s match with the Bay Area side on August 27. In the regular season finale against San Diego Loyal SC, he netted the winning score just two minutes in, threading a shot from the left just inside the post.

Lopez’s play was also recognized league-wide throughout the campaign. He was named the league’s Player of the Month for August after netting one goal and tallying a league-leading four assists in four contests, and earning Player of the Week Honors in Week 22. He was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week six times, earning a spot on the league’s Best XI four times and tallying two selections to Team of the Week Bench.

This is Lopez’s second career All-League First Team selection, and his third All-League selection in USL Championship. He previously earned First Team distinction following the club’s inaugural 2014 season. In 2015, he was honored on the USL All-League Second team. He is one of three Republic FC players all-time to earn the honor; defender Nemanja Vukovic was named to the All-League First Team alongside Lopez in 2014 and midfielder Danny Barrera was named to the league’s top squad in 2016.

Earlier today, the USL Championship announced that Matt LaGrassa’s 15^th minute score against San Diego Loyal SC in the Regular Season finale on October 15 was voted Goal of the Week for Week 32.

The score was the Elk Grove native’s third in league play this season and fourth across all competitions. After Damia Viader challenged for a San Diego clearance, the ball fell to LaGrassa, who struck it on the volley with pace into the back of the net. It was his third score in league play this season, and first since August 17 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

This is LaGrassa’s first win of the weekly honor, and marks the third time Sacramento has won the award this season.  Luis Felipe took home the Week 18 honor for a late equalizer against Oakand Roots SC, and Jack Gurr claimed the Week 27 honor for his left-footed strike on September 10.

On Saturday, October 22, the Boys in Old Glory Red will kick off their 8^th USL Championship playoff campaign with a home match against New Mexico United. Kickoff at Heart Health Park is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of 90 before 90 half-priced drink specials ahead of kickoff. Fans can access the stadium an extra thirty minutes early, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The first 5,000 people through the gates will receive a Republic FC cheer card.

Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo Lopez was named to Team of the Week Bench for Week 32 for his performance in the club’s regular-season finale.

The club’s captain scored his 7^th goal of the 2022 USL Championship season in the 2^nd minute of Saturday’s match. After fielding a clearance from San Diego’s backline, the midfielder pushed forward and threaded the ball inside the near post. The score was his 11^th across all competitions this season, including the U.S. Open Cup. The score would go down as the eventual winner after Republic FC recorded its 11^th clean sheet performance of the season.

After getting the Indomitable Club on the board, Lopez continued to help the club push for more up top. For the match, he tallied two chances created, bringing his season total to 59 –good for 10^th league-wide following 34 regular season matches. He also tallied a club high two shots and advanced into the final third six times, and nearly netted a second score in the 36^th minute.

This is Lopez’s sixth selection to the league’s weekly top squad in 2022, and his first since being named Player of the Week in Week 22. It is the midfielder’s 20^th career selection to Team of the Week.

On Saturday, October 22, the Boys in Old Glory Red will kick off their 8^th USL Championship playoff campaign with a home match against New Mexico United. Kickoff at Heart Health Park is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and take advantage of half-priced drink specials. Fans can access the stadium an extra thirty minutes early, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The first 5,000 people through the gates will receive a Republic FC cheer card.

Earlier today, the USL Championship announced that Matt LaGrassa’s 15^th minute score against San Diego Loyal SC in the Regular Season finale on October 15 has been nominated for Fan’s Choice Goal of the Week for Week 32. Voting is open now at USLChampionship.com through Thursday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT.

LaGrassa’s score extended Sacramento’s advantage to three goals before 20 minutes had gone by against the Southern California side. After a Sacramento corner kick was cleared out of the box, the Elk Grove native struck it past the visiting goalkeeper on the volley for his second goal in league play this season and his third across all competitions.

This is LaGrassa’s first career nomination for the weekly vote and the fifth time a Republic FC player has been nominated in 2022. Damia Viader and Luis Felipe were nominated in Weeks 14 and 18, followed by teammates Jack Gurr and Maalique Foster in Weeks 27 and 28.

Voting for the award is open now at USL Championship.com, and is open now until 9:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, October 20.

On Saturday, October 22, the Boys in Old Glory Red will kick off their 8^th USL Championship playoff campaign with a home match against New Mexico United. Kickoff at Heart Health Park is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and take advantage of half-priced drink specials. Fans can access the stadium an extra thirty minutes early, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The first 5,000 people through the gates will receive a Republic FC cheer card.

Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña’s 51^st minute save against Louisville City FC was voted the Fan’s Choice Save of the Month for September.

Against Louisville City FC on September 3, Saldaña put in a heroic effort to keep the club’s opponent from pulling ahead just after halftime. In the 50^th minute, Louisville’s Wilson Harris found an opportunity from close range, but his shot was stopped by a diving Saldañafor his second of three saves on the night. The play was later voted the Week 26 Save of the Week – Republic FC’s second consecutive win for the weekly top stop.

This is the first Save of the Month win of Saldaña’s career in USL Championship, and the first win of the monthly vote for Republic FC in 2022. Teammate Danny Vitiello was nominated alongside Saldaña for the honor, as was also up for the August award for a save against Oakland Roots SC.

This weekend, Republic FC is looking to secure a home playoff match, the first since 2018. The club is already locked in for its 8^th playoff appearance in 9 seasons, and on Saturday, the club can lock in the fourth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs with a result against San Diego Loyal SC at Heart Health Park. The match is set for 7:00 p.m. and the Indomitable Club alongside UC Davis Health plan to celebrate the incredible support from the best fans in the league all night long. Special giveaways, seat upgrades, and a special address from Rodrigo Lopez will all make Fan Appreciation Night an unforgettable evening. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-game-tickets. The match will also be broadcast in English and Spanish on FOX40.com, the FOX40 News mobile app, Antenna TV 40.2, as well as on ESPN+.

Earlier today, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC defender Jack Gurr and forward Maalique Foster have each been nominated for Fans’ Choice Goal of the Month for September. Voting for the monthly honor is open now at USLChampionship.com, and will close Monday, October 10 at 9:00 a.m. PT.  

Gurr’s score was the second of four for Sacramento against Loudoun United FC on September 10 and his first score in Old Glory Red. After receiving the ball from the left, the Englishman wound up on his left foot before putting a well-paced shot just inside the right post. The goal was eventually named the Week 27 Goal of the Week following a fan vote, beating out Oakland’s Lindo Mfeka, Hartford’s Prince Saydee, Rio Grande Valley’s Emilio Ycaza, and Detroit’s Deklan Wynne.

The following week against defending league champion Orange County SC, Foster’s score continued first half fireworks for Sacramento. The speedster snuck behind the opposing backline in transition before slotting in a Rodrigo Lopez through pass for his first of two scores on the day, and the club’s third of four for the match. The score won the Week 28 Goal of the Week poll.

Gurr and Foster’s nominations are the third and fourth by the club for the monthly honor this season. Defender Damia Viader was nominated for the June honor for his opening score against Detroit City FC, and Luis Felipe took home the July award for his last second equalizer against Oakland Roots. This is each player’s first career nomination for Goal of the Month.

Gurr, Foster and Republic FC are back in action this Sunday from Heart Health Park against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The match is the club’s annual Breast Health Awareness game, presented by UC Davis Health. Throughout the afternoon, the club will highlight the importance of early screenings and celebrate local survivors and health care heroes. Tickets are still available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets, and the contest will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.

Today, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC’s Danny Vitiello’s first-half save against Orange County SC on September 18 has been voted the Save of the Week for Week 28.

After Sacramento went up 2-0, USL Golden Boot leader Milan Iloski found the ball at his feet inside Sacramento’s penalty area in the 21^st minute. He sent a curling shot to the target – but it was met quickly by Vitiello moving over from his left and kept out to deny the visitors a chance to cut their deficit to two.

Vitiello’s win of the weekly vote marks the third time in four weeks Sacramento has made the league’s top stop. Carlos Saldaña won the weekly vote in Week 26, and Vitiello won the honor week prior in Week 25. Sacramento goalkeepers have combined for three Save of the Week wins on six nominations this season, the New York native was also nominated in Week 7, Week 11, and Week 18. The club was included in nearly every weekly honor awarded by the USL Championship this season for Week 28; four players earned selection to Team of the Week, and Maalique Foster won the vote for Goal of the Week.

Republic FC is back in action this Saturday, when the squad travels to face league-leader San Antonio FC. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, as well as streaming on ESPN+. The Indomitable Club returns home to Heart Health Park on September 28 for Noche Latina Powered by SMUD against Phoenix Rising FC. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets.