SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Tuesday it had re-signed midfielder Rodrigo Lopez for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Lopez was the first signing in Republic FC history prior to its inaugural 2014 campaign, and over the years has become a fixture in the club’s record books. He is currently the club’s all-time assist leader (41), while also ranking second all-time in appearances (136), minutes (10,108) and goals (41). In six seasons, Lopez earned several accolades including 2014 USL Championship Final MVP and two USL Championship All-League First Team selections (2014, 2022).

Additionally, Lopez was a standout player in Sacramento’s historic run to the Open Cup Final in 2022 and became the first player to be named both the Player of the Tournament and Lower-Division Player of the Tournament (TheCup.US) after leading all players with four goals and four assists.

“RoRo is a special player and we’re thrilled to have him back in Sacramento for another season,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We know how much winning another championship means to him, and we are looking forward to his continued leadership, both on and off the field.”

In 2024, he was honored when U.S. Soccer renamed the Northern California Round of 32 & Quarterfinal to the “Lopez Division” – the only division to be named after an active player, the Modern Era Open Cup assist leader.

In an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, Lopez recorded two goals and one assist in nine appearances and earned two Team of the Week selections before suffering a torn ACL on May 21.

“My injury last season was just a setback and it doesn’t define me,” said Lopez. “I’m ready to respond with everything I’ve got. I’m back and there is only one thing on my mind - to win another championship for this club and the city of Sacramento.”

Lopez’s professional career began in 2005 with former Major League Soccer side Chivas USA. After three seasons with the southern California club, he would move on to compete in the USL First Division and Major League Soccer with the Portland Timbers as well as in the USL Championship for Orlando City SC and Orange County SC.

Following his first stint with Sacramento, he competed in Mexico’s top leagues – Ascenso MX and Liga MX, featuring for Toluca in the latter. Since his return to the United States, he also featured in the USL Championship for Rio Grande Valley FC, helping the team reach the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals.