What to know about Sacramento Republic FC trying to make history vs. Seattle MLS team
Sacramento Republic FC has another chance to make its mark on the national soccer scene Tuesday night when its hosts MLS side Seattle Sounders FC in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
An upset win over Seattle would make Republic FC the only second-tier USL club to make the semifinals of the nation’s oldest tournament twice.
The last time came in 2022 when Sacramento reached the tournament final but fell to Orlando City SC. That team beat three MLS clubs to reach the championship. Republic FC reached the quarterfinals this year with an extra-time victory May 21 against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Seattle won the tournament in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014. The club is seventh in the MLS Western Conference with a 9-7-5 record and 31 points. Their team payroll is roughly $16 million, some fifteen times that of Republic FC, which is currently third in the USL Western Conference.
Tuesday’s game will be played at 8 p.m. at Heart Health Park in Cal Expo in what’s expected to be a sellout crowd while $2 beers will be sold. The triple-digit heat is expected to cool slightly on Tuesday with the high reaching 98 degrees in the late afternoon. The temperatures around kickoff are projected to be in the low 80s.
Cal Expo, which owns and oversees the 11,569-seat stadium, initially told Republic FC that it would not be allowed to host the game as it prepares for the California State Fair beginning Friday. Cal Expo reversed its decision to allow for Tuesday’s game. Sacramento has a regular-season game scheduled for Saturday, the second night of the State Fair.
With eight teams remaining in the 96-team tournament, the winner of Tuesday’s match plays the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between New Mexico United and LAFC. New Mexico is the top team in the USL’s Western Conference, five points ahead of Sacramento, while LAFC is the No. 1 team in the MLS’ Western Conference.
Republic FC will not have two of its marquee players. Versatile midfielder Rodrigo Lopez suffered a torn ACL earlier in the season and is unlikely to return this year. Forward Russell Cicerone, one of USL’s top goal scorers, suffered a high ankle sprain that required surgery in May and will likely be sidelined.
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC schedule
What: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals, round of eight
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Location: Heart Health Park, Cal Expo, Sacramento
Tickets: Available through the team’s website
Television/steaming: Free on MLS Season Pass on AppleTV
