The 2016 Sacramento Republic FC season was the club's third season of existence. The club plays in the United Soccer League (USL), the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. After off season expansion of the USL from 24 to 31 teams, Sacramento Republic FC moved to the new Western Conference. The season began in March 2016 and concluded in September 2016.
Background 2015 saw much growth in attendance with the expansion of Bonney Field, but this was not a sign of things to come for the club. In 2015, the Republic failed to produce on the field as they did the year before, dropping out of the playoffs in the first round. Their performance in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup was mirrored in 2015, once again losing to San Jose earthquakes in the 4th round. The 2015 season was riddled with emotional setbacks, MLS decided on Minnesota as its newest expansion over Sacramento. The Republic lost the head coach, Coach Preki, who they felt would be the one to propel the team to the MLS. At the end of the season, the player with the most MLS experience, whom some considered the star player, Rodrigo López announced he would return to Mexico and play for Celaya FC in the Ascenso MX.
The 2016 preseason, the club looked to turn things around. The club picked up Nike as their kit manufacturers, redesigned the team jersey and, on December 2, Sacramento city council approved the Republic's MLS stadium plan with a unanimous vote. Their hopes were once again revitalized three days later, when the MLS board announced its decision to once again expand the league from 24 to 28 teams.
Sacramento Republic F.C. continued their off season productivity by extending several players contracts, including fan-favorite, Octavio Guzmán and hometown hero, Cameron Iwasa. The club's Academy contributed to the off season's ambition with its U-16 and U-18 team both going undefeated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Club As of September 17, 2016. 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
U.S. Open Cup
Friendlies
Transfers
In
No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource 12 Oklahoma City Energy FC 3 New York Red Bulls II 8 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 16 Cal Poly 15 Cesifut 19 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 9 Cheltenham Town FC 22 Ventura County Fusion 24 San Jose Earthquakes 18 Liverpool FC U-21s 11 Blyth Spartans 13 Fresno Fuego 26 Fresno Fuego
Out
No.Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource 17 Indy Eleven 12 Indy Eleven 24 Chicago Fire 18 Orange County Blues FCLoan 42 San Francisco City FC 10 Ottawa Fury FC 10 Persib Bandung 18 St. Louis FC 22 Real Monarchs 17 St. Louis FC 16 Reno 1868 FC 19 Reno 1868 FC 24Retirement 11 St. Louis FC Option Waived 7 Tulsa Roughnecks 2 Bray Wanderers FC 14 Sporting Kansas City
Loan in
No.Pos.PlayerLoaned fromFee/notesDateSource21 San Jose Earthquakes13 San Jose Earthquakes26 San Jose Earthquakes27 San Jose Earthquakes28 Tampa Bay Rowdies
References