The Sacramento Republic FC is gearing up for the 2014 season as it continues its search for stellar talent in its 4th open tryout.
Nearly 90 soccer players put their best foot forward last weekend in a two-day tryout that attracted a multitude of local talent as well as a select number of players from other states and countries.
“We are hoping to find a diamond in the rough,” said Head Coach Predrag “Preki” Radosavljević.
Preki, a professional soccer legend named Major League Soccer MVP twice and previous head coach for Chivas USA and Toronto FC, said the players had good commitment and noted that his team was looking at a lot of Sacramento players. Over the course of four tryouts, about 300 players, many from Sacramento and the surrounding areas, showed up with the hopes of making the roster.
“This is what the open tryouts are about,” said Coach AJ, who helped evaluate players at the tryouts, “We’re trying to uncover and give opportunity for those local players to see if we can’t get some of these players on the pitch.” Coach AJ pointed out they are looking to represent the international soccer community as well.
The USL PRO team will start its season in March, with its first home game in late April. Negotiations are in the works for a 8,000 seat, multi-use complex at Cal Expo to serve as the team’s home pitch. It would serve as a temporary venue, with the hopes of building a permanent structure downtown. Tied in with the hopes of that is also the goal of becoming a MLS franchise by 2016. According to Sac Republic FC’s VP of Marketing and Communications, Erika Bjork, the USL is considered the pathway to MLS, with the last 5 out of 7 clubs going from USL to MLS.
Bjork described community engagement in the team as amazing and says that’s evident in the sale of 3,600 season tickets already as well as in the crowds who gather to attend events and the selling out of team scarves and kits.
“Sacramento has always been a soccer capitol in many regards, but now people have the chance to rally around a home team,” Bjork said.
Technical Director Graham Smith applauded Sacramento’s fervor and support for Sacramento Republic FC. “There’s a great spirit of community here and that’s what we’re trying to develop with the football club,” Smith said. “Up here they’re so receptive to things, to sports. I’ve really been enthused by the attitude of lots of segments of society here. It’s been terrific.”
Of the goal of becoming a MLS franchise, Smith noted that in order to reach a goal you’ve got to go through the various stages and the USL PRO is the stage they are going through to get there. “We’ve got to execute at the USL level,” Smith said, “and once we do that…it’s gonna be fantastic.”
“We expect to win this thing,” Smith said.
An invitation-only combine/assessment will take place January 20-24th as the club narrows down players and looks to form a squad before pre-season training in mid-Febrary. Due to demand, the club is considering holding another open tryout the second week of February.
To stay up to date about news and tryouts, and to purchase tickets, visit the Sacramento Republic FC’s website at www.sacrepublicfc.com.
