Two years ago on Saturday, Apr. 26, 2014, Sacramento Republic FC took to the pitch in front of 20,231 fans in their historic home opener at Hughes Stadium.
Setting a USL single match attendance record that shattered the previous record of 10,697 set at Florida Citrus Bowl on Aug. 11, 2013, the night was the first of numerous sellouts and attendance records since set by Republic FC.
Despite Republic FC losing 1-2 to the Harrisburg City Islanders, that might became an unforgettable moment of community pride and celebration for Republic FC players, staff and fans. In celebration of the two-year mark of the match, we collected players, fans and staffs favorite moments from the night.
Two years ago on Saturday, Apr. 26, 2014, Sacramento Republic FC took to the pitch in front of 20,231 fans in their historic home opener at Hughes Stadium.
Setting a USL single match attendance record that shattered the previous record of 10,697 set at Florida Citrus Bowl on Aug. 11, 2013, the night was the first of numerous sellouts and attendance records since set by Republic FC.
Despite Republic FC losing 1-2 to the Harrisburg City Islanders, that might became an unforgettable moment of community pride and celebration for Republic FC players, staff and fans. In celebration of the two-year mark of the match, we collected players, fans and staffs favorite moments from the night.
“We got on the train in Folsom to get to the match and with each stop more people got on wearing SRFC merch. Eventually the train was filled with only soccer fans. The journey felt like a pilgrimage. Everyone was so proud to finally have a pro team in town.”
– Jeanne Lynch
“Before the game, I just remember our signage looking like tumbleweed in the wind. But finally, when the anthem arrived, I got absolute chills from the flyover and remember thinking this is happening.”
– Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Brent Sasaki
“Scoring [that night] in front of so many of my friends and people I knew growing up playing soccer with in the area was unforgettable.”
– Forward Adam Jahn
“Opening Day. We rode our bikes to Hughes and the closer we got the more people were around us. The overwhelming number of people at Hughes made the Republic very real and Sacramento its home. There was no going back. Destiny was set.”
– Eduardo Cavazos
“My favorite moment of that night was definitely the atmosphere and how amazing our fans were gave me the chills walking into the stadium.”
– Defender Emrah Klimenta
“I’ll never forget opening day with my daughter. It was awesome to be apart of that.”
– Jenni Smith
“Day one. Sitting in the nosebleeds of Hughes. Seeing TBB walk across the bridge and seeing a group of brothers and sisters who share the same love of this great city. I worked my way to the TBB section and haven’t sat anywhere else since.”
– Alex Tasker
“I love the anthem because for two and half minutes, it’s the only time people aren’t moving. It’s my thing, I find a corner where no one can see you or talk to you. I was up at the top of the first section. And I just took a moment to take it all in. I cry every time, every home opener. But this time I just bawled like a baby. It was such a surreal moment.”
– Executive Vice President Joe Wagoner
“We got on the train in Folsom to get to the match and with each stop more people got on wearing SRFC merch. Eventually the train was filled with only soccer fans. The journey felt like a pilgrimage. Everyone was so proud to finally have a pro team in town.”
– Jeanne Lynch
“Before the game, I just remember our signage looking like tumbleweed in the wind. But finally, when the anthem arrived, I got absolute chills from the flyover and remember thinking this is happening.”
– Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Brent Sasaki
“Scoring [that night] in front of so many of my friends and people I knew growing up playing soccer with in the area was unforgettable.”
– Forward Adam Jahn
“Opening Day. We rode our bikes to Hughes and the closer we got the more people were around us. The overwhelming number of people at Hughes made the Republic very real and Sacramento its home. There was no going back. Destiny was set.”
– Eduardo Cavazos
“My favorite moment of that night was definitely the atmosphere and how amazing our fans were gave me the chills walking into the stadium.”
– Defender Emrah Klimenta
“I’ll never forget opening day with my daughter. It was awesome to be apart of that.”
– Jenni Smith
“Day one. Sitting in the nosebleeds of Hughes. Seeing TBB walk across the bridge and seeing a group of brothers and sisters who share the same love of this great city. I worked my way to the TBB section and haven’t sat anywhere else since.”
– Alex Tasker
“I love the anthem because for two and half minutes, it’s the only time people aren’t moving. It’s my thing, I find a corner where no one can see you or talk to you. I was up at the top of the first section. And I just took a moment to take it all in. I cry every time, every home opener. But this time I just bawled like a baby. It was such a surreal moment.”
– Executive Vice President Joe Wagoner
