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Sacramento Republic FC 2022 Season Preview

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/04/22, 5:00PM EST

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2022 Outlook

For the first time in Sacramento Republic FC’s history, it failed to advance to the USL Championship Playoffs as the attacking struggles the side had experienced in prior seasons finally came to a head as new NorCal rival Oakland Roots SC took the final berth in the Pacific Division. That disappointment has led to a major overhaul for the 2014 title winners this offseason that – if it all comes together – will push the side back to the top of the Western Conference in double-quick time.

With only five players set to return – including Academy products Rafael Jauregui and Mario Penagos – the focus has been trying to upgrade at every position for President and GM Todd Dunivant and Head Coach Mark Briggs. Defensively, the side added 2020 Championship Golden Glove winner Danny Vitiello in goal, acquired 2021 League One Defender of the Year and League One Final MVP Damia Viader via transfer from Union Omaha, and signed center backs Conor Donovan and Lee Desmond, but it’s in the midfield where Republic FC might have its biggest strength. Joining returning central midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandes – one of the lone bright spots last year – is Republic FC legend Rodrigo Lopez, reacquired from Rio Grande Valley FC, and local product Matt LaGrassa, who returns home after spending the past two seasons in Major League Soccer with Nashville SC. That trio, plus former El Paso Locomotive FC standout Nick Ross, will give Sacramento a major central core to build around.

In front of that, the side has also looked to upgrade in attack. Bermuda international and former Charleston Battery standout Zeiko Lewis arrives after recording 10 assists a season ago, and Honduran international Douglas Martinez joins the side from Real Salt Lake having previously claimed the Championship title with Real Monarchs SLC in 2019. On paper, Republic FC looks formidable. If it works in practice, it could be a very entertaining and successful season at Heart Health Park.


Notable Arrivals

Danny Vitiello – 2020 Championship Golden Glove winner brings strong experience from Riverhounds SC

Damia Viader – Last season’s League One Defender of the Year brings strong two-way pedigree to new club

Rodrigo Lopez – Republic FC legend returns after strong season with Rio Grande Valley FC last year

Zeiko Lewis – Bermuda international had career-best 10 assists for Charleston last campaign


Notable Departures

Mitchell Taintor – Center back was transferred to San Antonio FC after successful loan last year

Cameron Iwasa – Republic FC’s all-time leading scorer announced retirement

Hayden Sargis – Talented young defender was transferred to Major League Soccer’s D.C. United

Dariusz Formella – Polish forward made trip across NorCal to rivals Oakland Roots SC


Two To Watch


Zeiko Lewis, Midfielder

If there has been a major problem for Sacramento Republic FC in recent seasons, it has been inconsistency in front of goal. Last year it finally proved fatal to the club’s playoff chances with Republic FC’s 36 goals the lowest in a full season in club history. The club also registered only 40.64xG, too, placing it in the bottom third of the league in chance creation, which is where the arrival of Zeiko Lewis comes in. The former Charleston Battery playmaker and Bermuda international was one of the early additions in Sacramento’s offseason overhaul and brings with him a track record of creativity and the ability to finish that Republic FC has lacked over the past four campaigns. Lewis has recorded 18 goals and 17 assists over the past three regular seasons and could provide the attacking spark that Republic FC is aiming for.

Luis Felipe Fernandes, Midfielder

For all the new faces at Republic FC this offseason, one of the most important players in the side this season is likely to be returning midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandes, whose return to the USL Championship after competing for three seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer gave Republic FC a midfielder it could rely on game-in and game-out. The 26-year-old rated as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Championship a season ago with a +5.61 Goals Added mark

– second only to offseason LA Galaxy signing Daniel Aguirre – and his ability to break up play and quickly move a side into attack shone regularly at Heart Health Park. Fernandes will have more help around him this season with the return of Rodrigo Lopez from Rio Grande Valley FC and Matt LaGrassa – who began his career in Sacramento in 2015 – after two seasons in Major League Soccer with Nashville SC, and that could make Republic FC a serious contender once again.


Coach



Mark Briggs (3rd Season)

After the disappointment of missing the postseason for the first time in club history last season, Mark Briggs has a much deeper roster to work with this campaign as he tries to restore Sacramento to the league’s title contenders. The English manager has achieved that before, posting the best record in the league with Real Monarchs SLC in 2017, and will be hoping to bring his new squad’s talent together in a similar fashion.


Key Number


36 Sacramento Republic FC’s goal total of 36 was the lowest in a full season in the club’s history as the side recorded a shot conversion rate of only 13.1 percent, seventh-lowest in the league. The side’s new arrivals should turn that around and try to surpass the club’s high watermark of 50 regular-season goals in the 2019 season.

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