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Buckle Looks to Build on Republic FC’s Success

By usl admin, 07/14/15, 9:45PM EDT

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USL Feature

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Following his second practice with the team, Sacramento Republic FC head coach Paul Buckle was formally introduced Monday as the defending championship club embarks on a new chapter.

Former head coach Preki announced last week his decision to depart the organization for opportunities in the UK, and Buckle says the 2014 USL Coach of the Year and 2010 National Soccer Hall of Famer was beneficial in both the quick transition and in helping build the club’s infrastructure.

“It’s a new start, but Preki has done an unbelievable job with the football club,” Buckle said during the team’s introduction at Bonney Field. “To see him work closely, and with the transition the way it was, is very unique. I’d like to publicly thank him for his efforts. He’s been very helpful.

“It’s great that we share the same philosophy, and there are things I’ve done as a coach that I’m going to add to the players’ games. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here and I’m honored to be the head coach here in Sacramento. I look forward to taking the club forward, not only in the first team, but with the academy because that’s very important.”

One benefit for Buckle in this transition is the lack of a USL match for the next several weeks. Republic FC’s next league game is Aug. 1 against Seattle Sounders FC 2. But Buckle will be thrown into the mix immediately thanks to a pair of friendlies, starting Tuesday against Premier League side Sunderland, followed by Newcastle on Saturday.

“It’s the first game and the first chance to walk out with my team now,” Buckle said. “It’s a game where the players are looking forward to playing a Premiership team. It will be a big test for us. I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve seen in the training sessions. Our last two games have been disappointing – a friendly [against Atlas] and a league defeat. Now we need to lift the players against a Premiership side.”

With the upcoming Premier League teams’ preseason matches and a long training window, Buckle said that will provide a strong opportunity to mesh with the team. Coming into an organization that won the USL title last season and regularly sells out Bonney Field, the new coach feels the environment and culture have already made this a seamless move.

“It’s really something to build on, and that’s what you want as a manager coming in,” Buckle said. “You want something to work with. I’m going to need some time to get used to things, and the players need to get used to me. But the staff, everybody, has made me feel so welcome. It feels like I’m at home. I’m committed here.”


In conjunction with Buckle’s introduction, Republic FC also announced a firm that will lead the development of a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Sacramento as the organization ultimately hopes for a Major League Soccer bid.

Buckle was asked about the caliber of the team for this potential move, and on the field, he was quick to reference the club’s performance in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Republic FC held the upper hand against the San Jose Earthquakes in the tournament’s fourth round, only to fall eventually in a shootout.

“There’s no better gauge than when we played San Jose, we were up 2-0 in the game and we lost like we did in penalties,” Buckle said. “That shows how close we are. It shows that the recruitment has been brilliant.

“This is a building job,” he said. “Ultimately, in the end, that’s where we want to be. A big part of the job now is to build things and make sure we have everything in place.”


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