On Thursday, USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone has been nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month for March. Voting is open now through Monday, April 6 at 9:00 a.m. PT at USLChampionship.com. Fan vote comprises 51% of the poll, and the remainder will be conducted by the USL Technical Committee and National Media Panel.
In three matches – one fewer than the majority of the league – Cicerone has had one of the best offensive starts to the season. He leads Republic FC with three scoring contributions (two goals and one assist) and is ranked second in the league with a +1.55 Goals Added mark. He has also been key in generating scoring opportunities for the Indomitable Club with eight chances created and 23 touches in the opponent’s box.
The 30-year-old striker opened Republic FC’s scoring account on Opening Night when he converted a penalty drawn by Lewis Jamieson. Later in the match, his cross set up Jamieson to net the game-winner over Western Conference for New Mexico United. Two weeks later against Colorado Springs, he recorded his first official assist of the campaign with a perfectly-weighted cross to Jack Gurr on the back post. He would find the back of the net again in the second half, shepherding the ball past the keeper for an uncontested shot on goal.
For his performances during the month, Cicerone led Republic FC with two selections to Team of the Week. Teammates Freddy Kleemann and Lewis Jamieson received weekly honors as well, with Jamieson claiming the Week 1 Player of the Week. This is his fourth career Player of the Month nomination and third since joining Sacramento in 2023. That season, he earned back-to-back nominations and claimed the honor in May.
