It all started with a WIN
An exciting and historical win for the local Sacramento Professional Mens Soccer Team. The Sacramento Republic FC is moving on in the U.S. Open Cup after beating another California MLS team this past week. They have beaten the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy and are en route to their first semifinal appearance in the tournament. The Semifinal game will be hosted in Sacramento on July 27th against Kansas City.
This is a historical win because, Sacramento FC is the first non-MLS team to make it to the final four since 2017. Only one other lower-division team, the Rochester Rhinos in 1999, has won the cup.
A Message from Head Coach Mark Briggs: “the run has been a nice boost for the club and the city by extension.”
“It promotes Sacramento, it promotes the city, the club,” he said at Sacramento International Airport fresh off a victory flight. “What we have here is a special club.”
Is a New Stadium in Question?
Of course, that question will always rear its head. Does this change anything in relation to Sacramento’s Major League Soccer situation?
As Club officials are fully invested in USL. As well as the possibilities of the club stadium in one of the cities’ biggest dreams come to life: the Railyards project.
After the disappointment of loosing their key MLS investor Ron Burkle and the promise of a top-flight stadium along with him just earlier. The Club is still in talks for a proposed venue in the middle of the Rail Yards development.
Downtown Sacramento Partnership Executive Director Michael Ault is feeling ready by stating:
“We’re excited about it,” he said. “We feel like there’s a lot of validation in these investments being made. This project would absolutely complement the investments that are taking place here.”
A Comment from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg:
“I could not be prouder of this amazing team, of the fans that traveled all the way down to Los Angeles for the game, and of the entire organization for showing time and time again we are a world-class soccer city. We’ve beaten two MLS teams now in this tournament and I have a great feeling that we’re not done yet. We continue to work hard on new stadium plans in the Rail yards for our beloved Sac Republic and hope to have a positive update to share with you in the near future.”
The team has released preliminary renderings as residential buildings begin to pop up in the Rail yards area. Fans are excited about the prospect of a new home for their team. The City believes this cup run will add more fans that will hopefully fill stands in Sacramento, CA.