Since the club joined the USL at the start of the 2014 season, Sacramento Republic FC’s success on and off the pitch has made the team one of the most remarkable stories in American Soccer circles in recent years.

From engaging the community to building its brand, to its kit design, ticket pricing and stadium amenities, Republic FC has not only been a leader within the USL, but also in its local community. The club has worked extensively with local officials, and numerous local businesses, making it a cornerstone in the movement that has seen a massive rise in Sacramento’s civic pride. 

The team has a current 33-game sellout streak, including the USL Playoffs, dating back to its inaugural season and has sold out 29 consecutive regular season matches. In fact, in the team’s existence it has recorded one non-sellout – and even then it drew 17,414 fans against Orange County Blues FC on May 3, 2014 – during its time in the USL.

“Being true to the sport, and engaging the community on what type of club they wanted to see are the two keys to our success today,” said Warren Smith, the club’s President and Co-founder. “As a former baseball guy, it has been great to see the ownership that the Republic FC fans have of this club.  They care, they’re passionate and they feel this is their club and not ours, which is the perfect place to be.”

Since the team’s founding, the one constant around the franchise has been the Tower Bridge Battalion, an independent supporters’ group for Sacramento Republic FC that provides a home for supporters who are ready to stand, sing, yell, and scream for the full 90 to back the city and its club.

“The Tower Bridge Battalion have been nothing but incredible,” said Smith. “Their desire to support the team and the energy they bring to our matches is a lot of the reason for our success.  We try to work with them in a way that supports them while not directing what they do, that has allowed them to build an incredible group of over a thousand strong.  To have on average just over 700 TBB members at our matches has been incredible.”

With the sellout streak intact does Smith feel pressure to keep the streak alive?

“I would be lying to say that it wasn’t harder this year than before, but the honeymoon is now over and we have to work harder and smarter,” said Smith. “The pressure is greatly relieved by the talented incredible staff that continue to find ways to bring new people to Bonney Field.” 

The club is also finding new ways to help boost its local community. Earlier this season, Republic FC launched the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund to celebrate and elevate nonprofits that share the same indomitable spirit as its region. The fund provides individual grants up to $20,000 to Sacramento region nonprofits that support education, health/wellness or youth leadership. In keeping with the club’s own humble beginnings, applications are encouraged especially for those Sacramento region nonprofits that provide a big impact with minimal resources.

“Our vision [is to make], ‘Sacramento Republic FC exists to make the Sacramento region the most inspiring, energetic and rewarding place to live, work and play,’” Smith said. “We do this through our mission ‘Through the world’s game, we provide exciting, energetic and inclusive experiences to foster an indomitable movement. We are accountable to our fans, partners, investors and community, for they are our family and our inspiration. We celebrate, and elevate, the people, projects and places that provide Sacramento its soul and swagger. We are a republic and Sacramento is our indomitable home.’ 

“Obviously, from our vision and mission, our sole purpose is to make Sacramento a better place to live, work and play. By making our product bigger than a soccer team and to make it about a community, has allowed us to engage parts of the community that may not know, or appreciate soccer. This is a vital position, which has helped us to be a convener and energizer for those that desire the same.”

Like Orlando City SC preceding it and new teams since like Saint Louis FC, FC Cincinnati and San Antonio FC, Smith and Republic FC have helped take the USL to new heights. Sacramento has become a regular stop for new USL clubs who are looking for a blueprint on how to build a strong and successful club on and off the field.

“The USL is rising!” said Smith. “We pride ourselves on helping the entire league grow and accomplish its goals. We support all of the teams and look to continue doing so as we evolve.”

Republic FC has also taken great pride in embracing Sacramento. The team’s battle cry, “Indomitable City, Indomitable Club” is based on the Latin words Urbs Indomita, which translates to Indomitable City, words which adorned the city seal up until the 1950s. The return for embracing the city has put the team in a strong position moving forward with its supporters, corporations and civic leaders.

“We are lucky to have such a talented mayor in Kevin Johnson and a supportive City Council to help us accomplish our goals,” said Smith. “Our strong relationship continues to grow with the city and to show the impact our battle cry ‘Indomitable City, Indomitable Club’ is based on the city’s history of moved rivers, rebuilt after fires and lived on after the plague.  It represents who we are as a community and we look forward to continuing to foster and grow this relationship with our city leaders.”