The 2015 Sacramento Republic FC season was the club's second season of existence. The club played in the newly rebranded United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as USL Pro, the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. After offseason expansion of the USL from 14 to 24 teams and division into an Eastern and Western Conference, Sacramento Republic FC competed in the new Western Conference. The Republic entered the season as defending champions, having defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 2–0 in the USL final on September 27, 2014. The season began on March 21 and concluded on September 20.
Background
Winter 2014–15, USL Pro's off season, saw numerous headlines for Sacramento Republic FC. Owner Warren Smith, Technical Director Graham Smith, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and other delegates met with MLS officials, including Commissioner Don Garber, several times to continue their push for a MLS franchise. MLS announced February 2015 that Las Vegas was no longer in contention for an MLS franchise, narrowing the list of potentials to Sacramento and Minneapolis.
Republic's efforts with MLS as well as their successes on and off the pitch rallied many to help invest in the club to push further Republic FC's efforts for an MLS franchise. These investors include co-founder and ex-CEO of Envision Pharmaceutical Kevin Negal, UFC fighter Urijah Faber, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, San Francisco 49ers owners the York Family.
As success and popularity grew, demand for more seating at Bonny Field grew. The Board of Directors of Cal Expo approved expanded seating at Bonney Field and the endline stands were removed and replaced with 30-row bleachers, increasing the capacity to around 11,000.
For the 2015 season, USL Pro expanded to 24 teams, including Portland Timbers 2, concluding Portland's USL affiliation with the Republic.
Club As of June 19, 2015. No.PositionNationPlayer
Technical Staff As of June 25, 2015. PositionName Technical director Graham Smith Head coach Paul Buckle Assistant head coach Adam Charles Smith Assistant coach Chris Malenab Assistant coach Antonio Sutton Goalkeeping coach Simon Sheppard Strength & Conditioning Coach Luke Rayfield
Competitions
Preseason
USL
Results summary
Standings
USL Pro Playoffs
Playoff Results
U.S. Open Cup
Friendlies
Transfers
In
No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource 24 Orange County Blues FCFree 99 Charlotte EaglesFree 16 Valparaiso UniversityFree 22 Orange County Blues FCFree 26 Pittsburgh RiverhoundsFree 2 St. Patrick’s AthleticFree 4 Stallion FCFree 13 NK RudešFree 25 Kitsap PumasFree 3 D.C. United 14 UC Irvine 7 MaríliaReturn from Loan 5 Carolina RailHawks 15 FC Dordoi Bishkek
Out
No.Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource 7 MaríliaLoan 22 Portland Timbers 2 9 NK HAŠK 43 Breiðablik 99 Charlotte Independence 14 Orange County Blues 16 Wilmington Hammerheads FC 22 Ventura County Fusion 28 Celaya FC 7 Marília 4Free Agent 9 Bethlehem Steel FC 21 Bethlehem Steel FC 15 Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Loan in No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource 16 San Jose Earthquakes 3 San Jose Earthquakes 22 San Jose Earthquakes
References