Rafael Diaz was a brick wall in net for Republic FC in 2020.
When Rafa stepped in goal, he kicked off his campaign with a 320-minute scoreless streak – the second-longest in club history.
He proceeded to post a 7-0-3 regular season record en route to guiding Sacramento to its seventh straight trip to the USL Championship postseason.
But his stellar play between the pipes did more than just help his side make the playoffs, it earned Rafa a call from the coach of the Dominican Republic National Team. A moment and a memory the Indomitable Club’s goalkeeper will never forget.
Rafael Diaz was a brick wall in net for Republic FC in 2020.
When Rafa stepped in goal, he kicked off his campaign with a 320-minute scoreless streak – the second-longest in club history.
He proceeded to post a 7-0-3 regular season record en route to guiding Sacramento to its seventh straight trip to the USL Championship postseason.
But his stellar play between the pipes did more than just help his side make the playoffs, it earned Rafa a call from the coach of the Dominican Republic National Team. A moment and a memory the Indomitable Club’s goalkeeper will never forget.
Was this the first time the Dominican Republic National Team reached out to you?
Was this the first time the Dominican Republic National Team reached out to you?
Rafa Diaz: “No, it hadn't been actually. They were calling me since 2014 but the Federation wasn't really in a place where I thought I was ready to come in and make a contribution. They wanted me to go play in Indonesia when was in Orlando City at the time, I think I just came off of an injury, so I told them no, I wasn’t ready. I didn't think it was the right time for me. It wasn’t until like two years ago when Coach [Jacques] Passy got hired and he's kind of changed the culture of the Dominican National Team and bringing in some quality guys and I just came off a decent season so when he gave me a call, I thought it was a good moment.”
Rafa Diaz: “No, it hadn’t been actually. They were calling me since 2014 but the Federation wasn’t really in a place where I thought I was ready to come in and make a contribution. They wanted me to go play in Indonesia when was in Orlando City at the time, I think I just came off of an injury, so I told them no, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think it was the right time for me. It wasn’t until like two years ago when Coach [Jacques] Passy got hired and he’s kind of changed the culture of the Dominican National Team and bringing in some quality guys and I just came off a decent season so when he gave me a call, I thought it was a good moment.”
Had you spoken to Coach Passy previously?
Had you spoken to Coach Passy previously?
RD: “This was the first time I met him, but he had been in contact with me since I want to say sometime in March last year. He wanted to bring me in and then I had the year I had at Sacramento so he was very keen for me to come in and he was reassuring me that the culture of the national team was going to change and he was telling me the vision he had and what kind of players he was bringing in and in the past, it wasn't really like that. I was hearing from the national team through other third parties which I didn't really feel was really professional and it just wasn't the right moment. Then when he called me directly and he told me this vision and I was like, you know what, I think it's time to go. We have a lot of quality young players coming out. We have a couple guys in MLS, a couple guys in Europe, so I thought it’s time to get out there and give it a go.”
RD: “This was the first time I met him, but he had been in contact with me since I want to say sometime in March last year. He wanted to bring me in and then I had the year I had at Sacramento so he was very keen for me to come in and he was reassuring me that the culture of the national team was going to change and he was telling me the vision he had and what kind of players he was bringing in and in the past, it wasn’t really like that. I was hearing from the national team through other third parties which I didn’t really feel was really professional and it just wasn’t the right moment. Then when he called me directly and he told me this vision and I was like, you know what, I think it’s time to go. We have a lot of quality young players coming out. We have a couple guys in MLS, a couple guys in Europe, so I thought it’s time to get out there and give it a go.”
Based on how well you played last season, did you have a feeling that call was going to be coming in?
Based on how well you played last season, did you have a feeling that call was going to be coming in?
RD: “Yeah, I had a feeling. We had been in contact and he watched all my games. So, after every game, I got a message from him, so I knew that he was watching my games. I knew that I was on his radar. There was supposed to be a camp in November that got pushed back because of COVID. He wanted me in November, but because of everything that happened, that's kind of how it ended up.”
RD: “Yeah, I had a feeling. We had been in contact and he watched all my games. So, after every game, I got a message from him, so I knew that he was watching my games. I knew that I was on his radar. There was supposed to be a camp in November that got pushed back because of COVID. He wanted me in November, but because of everything that happened, that’s kind of how it ended up.”
What do you remember about the actual call from the national team?
What do you remember about the actual call from the national team?
RD: “I was at home [in New Jersey], I think I was at the mall. They just gave me a call and said that we have a camp starting from the 15thto the 26th, I think. The first half of the camp was U-23’s because they wanted those guys to get ready because they've qualified for the Olympics. So they want those guys to get ready and then they were like, well, there's a 10 day camp, you're more than welcome to come for 10 days if you want to come for the five days then you could do that and I was like, ‘You know what, I'm not really doing much for mine so just go out there and at least use this moment to kind of get fit and get a couple of get a game under me’.”
“So, I went to the first camp, which was the 15th, and it was good because it was the first time I had been back in like 20 years, to be honest. So, it was good to get settled, meet the staff, meet the players. They've all known each other but I didn't really know anyone, and not only that but kind of picking up the lingo, the different type of terminologies that is being used because everyone from the Dominican national team is speaking Spanish so it was good for me, the first five days, to kind of pick up names, pick up the lingo, because just isn't the same. It was good being able to do that and then [Coach Passy] had already mentioned to me that he wanted me to play against Serbia. That was another thing that we discussed when they called me. When I got invited in, they were like, ‘we're gonna play against Puerto Rico and then Serbia,’ I think there were 30th ranking at the time, so he was like ‘that's a huge moment’. So I said, ‘ok, cool’ and that’s kind of how it went.”
RD: “I was at home [in New Jersey], I think I was at the mall. They just gave me a call and said that we have a camp starting from the 15thto the 26th, I think. The first half of the camp was U-23’s because they wanted those guys to get ready because they’ve qualified for the Olympics. So they want those guys to get ready and then they were like, well, there’s a 10 day camp, you’re more than welcome to come for 10 days if you want to come for the five days then you could do that and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m not really doing much for mine so just go out there and at least use this moment to kind of get fit and get a couple of get a game under me’.”
“So, I went to the first camp, which was the 15th, and it was good because it was the first time I had been back in like 20 years, to be honest. So, it was good to get settled, meet the staff, meet the players. They’ve all known each other but I didn’t really know anyone, and not only that but kind of picking up the lingo, the different type of terminologies that is being used because everyone from the Dominican national team is speaking Spanish so it was good for me, the first five days, to kind of pick up names, pick up the lingo, because just isn’t the same. It was good being able to do that and then [Coach Passy] had already mentioned to me that he wanted me to play against Serbia. That was another thing that we discussed when they called me. When I got invited in, they were like, ‘we’re gonna play against Puerto Rico and then Serbia,’ I think there were 30th ranking at the time, so he was like ‘that’s a huge moment’. So I said, ‘ok, cool’ and that’s kind of how it went.”
Did knowing you were going to get the nod against Serbia factor into your decision to go to camp?
Did knowing you were going to get the nod against Serbia factor into your decision to go to camp?
RD: “Nah, I was already all in. I knew I was going to camp already. I used to play with the U-20s for U.S.A. so that was always my vision. I came from the U-15 to the U-20 with the US National Team so once that opportunity left, I always knew that [the Dominican National Team] was another route, it was just a matter of time. Once I was ready and they gave me a call I knew I was going. It wasn't like I had to think about it.”
RD: “Nah, I was already all in. I knew I was going to camp already. I used to play with the U-20s for U.S.A. so that was always my vision. I came from the U-15 to the U-20 with the US National Team so once that opportunity left, I always knew that [the Dominican National Team] was another route, it was just a matter of time. Once I was ready and they gave me a call I knew I was going. It wasn’t like I had to think about it.”
You've left for camp and tournaments a number of times in your career, but did this one feel any different?
You’ve left for camp and tournaments a number of times in your career, but did this one feel any different?
RD: “It felt different after the Serbia game. In the beginning, it was good, like I said, I hadn't been back to the country for 20 years, so it was, it was really good to see where I was born, and it was really good to get that experience. But once I was there, it was business. I had to go in there and be professional, trained really well and, you know, show them the reason why I was selected and like anytime you’re playing, you’re proving yourself every time you're playing. So, I went there thinking I need to prove myself and just to work hard and that's kind of the mentality. It wasn't really anything that different until after the game.”
RD: “It felt different after the Serbia game. In the beginning, it was good, like I said, I hadn’t been back to the country for 20 years, so it was, it was really good to see where I was born, and it was really good to get that experience. But once I was there, it was business. I had to go in there and be professional, trained really well and, you know, show them the reason why I was selected and like anytime you’re playing, you’re proving yourself every time you’re playing. So, I went there thinking I need to prove myself and just to work hard and that’s kind of the mentality. It wasn’t really anything that different until after the game.”
How were you feeling the day of the game against Serbia?
How were you feeling the day of the game against Serbia?
RD: “I had a little bit of nerves going into it. I think the nerves are kind of more of the anticipation of the game. You know, you wake up, nine o'clock, you go to breakfast, you have team meals. So the timing is a little bit different, the anticipation kind of makes you a little bit nervous, the buildup in your head, and I just kind of took the time to visualize what I wanted to do. I had a really good camp prior to that, so I felt very confident in myself and once I went to the field, I didn’t really have any nerves, it was more like butterflies, a little jittery. But because I had such a good camp, I did really well, that I was really confident. Once I went to the stadium, I got dressed, I was just in full game mode. I had a really good warm up and once I had a really good warm up, I was very confident in myself.”
RD: “I had a little bit of nerves going into it. I think the nerves are kind of more of the anticipation of the game. You know, you wake up, nine o’clock, you go to breakfast, you have team meals. So the timing is a little bit different, the anticipation kind of makes you a little bit nervous, the buildup in your head, and I just kind of took the time to visualize what I wanted to do. I had a really good camp prior to that, so I felt very confident in myself and once I went to the field, I didn’t really have any nerves, it was more like butterflies, a little jittery. But because I had such a good camp, I did really well, that I was really confident. Once I went to the stadium, I got dressed, I was just in full game mode. I had a really good warm up and once I had a really good warm up, I was very confident in myself.”
Was there anything a coach or fellow player told you that really stuck with you that day?
Was there anything a coach or fellow player told you that really stuck with you that day?
RD: “Actually, after my warmup, there is another ‘keeper, his name is Odalis [Baez]. After my warmup and I had a really good warmup, I think he said something like, ‘great warm up, do what you have to do,’ and he just looked at me he was like, ‘you're the best and you know it’. And then I went inside and once he said that to me I was like ‘alright, these are older guys about 36, he’s played for Dominican Republic for a while, he’s played in other countries and I guess this was the first time I kind of really met him with this camp, but after [the game] we got a good relationship. I don’t think I ever told him this, but that kind of stuff stuck out in my mind. He’s an older guy so he was trying to give me some advice and right before I left, he was like, ‘listen, you're the best and you know it, so just do it’. So, I said alright, and that was it!”
RD: “Actually, after my warmup, there is another ‘keeper, his name is Odalis [Baez]. After my warmup and I had a really good warmup, I think he said something like, ‘great warm up, do what you have to do,’ and he just looked at me he was like, ‘you’re the best and you know it’. And then I went inside and once he said that to me I was like ‘alright, these are older guys about 36, he’s played for Dominican Republic for a while, he’s played in other countries and I guess this was the first time I kind of really met him with this camp, but after [the game] we got a good relationship. I don’t think I ever told him this, but that kind of stuff stuck out in my mind. He’s an older guy so he was trying to give me some advice and right before I left, he was like, ‘listen, you’re the best and you know it, so just do it’. So, I said alright, and that was it!”
What do you remember about the match itself?
What do you remember about the match itself?
RD: “I remember they had a player, number 10, he was playing left mid. When I saw him, I was like, woah, we're in a serious game, because he was one of the best wingers I've seen in a while. And that was one of the first things when I was like, whoa, we're going to be in a battle! Sometimes you feel out a team and you think, okay, we're fine. But I saw this guy coming up the wing and I was like, well, we're in a battle – that was my first thought.”
“And then throughout the game, we had a chance and I was like, you know what, we can be okay if we stay compact and then I kind of took it in quarters. Once we went to the water break, I was like, let’s just get it to the half 0-0 and then the next half came, and I was thinking let’s just get to the next water break 0-0 and I just kind of took it like that.”
RD: “I remember they had a player, number 10, he was playing left mid. When I saw him, I was like, woah, we’re in a serious game, because he was one of the best wingers I’ve seen in a while. And that was one of the first things when I was like, whoa, we’re going to be in a battle! Sometimes you feel out a team and you think, okay, we’re fine. But I saw this guy coming up the wing and I was like, well, we’re in a battle – that was my first thought.”
“And then throughout the game, we had a chance and I was like, you know what, we can be okay if we stay compact and then I kind of took it in quarters. Once we went to the water break, I was like, let’s just get it to the half 0-0 and then the next half came, and I was thinking let’s just get to the next water break 0-0 and I just kind of took it like that.”
Was there anything special that a coach or player – or your fellow goalkeeper – told you after the match?
Was there anything special that a coach or player – or your fellow goalkeeper – told you after the match?
RD: “He just came up to me and said great match. I don’t think he was too surprised; he was just like, hey, you did great. I don't think he was really surprised I think he was just happy for the result. I think it was a big moment for D.R. I think this is the first time they played a European team actually in D.R. It felt like there was like a shift in culture I guess because, you know, the culture – it's a baseball country. So the culture in terms of taking soccer a little bit more serious, I think that kind of shifted a little bit.”
“In terms of him, we just exchanged ‘good game man, proud of you’, and that was that.”
RD: “He just came up to me and said great match. I don’t think he was too surprised; he was just like, hey, you did great. I don’t think he was really surprised I think he was just happy for the result. I think it was a big moment for D.R. I think this is the first time they played a European team actually in D.R. It felt like there was like a shift in culture I guess because, you know, the culture – it’s a baseball country. So the culture in terms of taking soccer a little bit more serious, I think that kind of shifted a little bit.”
“In terms of him, we just exchanged ‘good game man, proud of you’, and that was that.”
So, it was after the match that it became clear how big of a moment this was for soccer in the Dominican Republic?
So, it was after the match that it became clear how big of a moment this was for soccer in the Dominican Republic?
RD: “Yeah, I didn't realize until after, just like the Twitter coverage, the Facebook coverage, like I said, I was going out there to play. I was just going off to the play and see what we can do as a result and I didn't know the magnitude until after. And so after, Coach had called me and was like, ‘hey, you did really well, this is the first time someone else has started [in goal] different from those two guys’. There's a guy named Miguel and a guy named Odalis. They both have been starter for the DR National Team for 10 years so coach had mentioned this was the first time someone else had started in like 10 or so years, I didn't even realize that to begin with!”
RD: “Yeah, I didn’t realize until after, just like the Twitter coverage, the Facebook coverage, like I said, I was going out there to play. I was just going off to the play and see what we can do as a result and I didn’t know the magnitude until after. And so after, Coach had called me and was like, ‘hey, you did really well, this is the first time someone else has started [in goal] different from those two guys’. There’s a guy named Miguel and a guy named Odalis. They both have been starter for the DR National Team for 10 years so coach had mentioned this was the first time someone else had started in like 10 or so years, I didn’t even realize that to begin with!”
“So, I was like, well, I'm glad I did well because if not then they would have been looking at you like, what are you doing!? So we both kind of laughed in terms of that and then he was like, ‘yeah, it worked out well!’ And then I didn't realize that was the first time they played against a European team in the Dominican Republic and for them to be ranked that high. I guess it was kind of like an awakening moment. You know, there's something here more than just baseball.”
“So, I was like, well, I’m glad I did well because if not then they would have been looking at you like, what are you doing!? So we both kind of laughed in terms of that and then he was like, ‘yeah, it worked out well!’ And then I didn’t realize that was the first time they played against a European team in the Dominican Republic and for them to be ranked that high. I guess it was kind of like an awakening moment. You know, there’s something here more than just baseball.”
That's amazing that you got to be a part of that history.
That’s amazing that you got to be a part of that history.
RD: “And like I said, it's the first time I've been home for like 20 years, so my family hasn't even really seen me play in the Dominican Republic besides like pictures and like previous YouTube videos, nobody really saw me live in action. I guess when I went there and they were able to see me, because it was playing on TV, so they were able to watch it on TV and I think it was like a really proud moment. Everyone got to see me because the last time they saw me I was probably like eight years old. Now I'm like 29, and they’re now seeing me doing well on TV and it was a really proud moment for the family.”
RD: “And like I said, it’s the first time I’ve been home for like 20 years, so my family hasn’t even really seen me play in the Dominican Republic besides like pictures and like previous YouTube videos, nobody really saw me live in action. I guess when I went there and they were able to see me, because it was playing on TV, so they were able to watch it on TV and I think it was like a really proud moment. Everyone got to see me because the last time they saw me I was probably like eight years old. Now I’m like 29, and they’re now seeing me doing well on TV and it was a really proud moment for the family.”
Now that you've impressed the team, the coaches, and the entire country – do you think you're the Number One goalkeeper for D.R.?
Now that you’ve impressed the team, the coaches, and the entire country – do you think you’re the Number One goalkeeper for D.R.?
RD: “Yeah, I mean, I do, but I gotta continue to play well. I have to continue to train well. Nothing's ever given. We have World Cup qualifiers coming up in March so just like right now, I’m just trying to stay fit and then come into preseason and make sure I keep playing well and then see how that goes in March.”
RD: “Yeah, I mean, I do, but I gotta continue to play well. I have to continue to train well. Nothing’s ever given. We have World Cup qualifiers coming up in March so just like right now, I’m just trying to stay fit and then come into preseason and make sure I keep playing well and then see how that goes in March.”
Don't miss a minute of the action this season. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.
Don’t miss a minute of the action this season. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.
