Cal Expo changes course for Sacramento Republic FC tournament matches. Here’s what happened
After reports surfaced that Cal Expo would not allow Sacramento Republic FC to host games in the coming rounds of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the venue that hosts California State Fair changed its mind.
“Cal Expo will do everything we can to host a potential US Open Cup game,” Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez said in a statement. “In fact, we welcome this event and are excited for the Sacramento Republic fans and region to once again experience this caliber of soccer at our venue prior or even during the California State Fair.”
On Tuesday night, Republic FC advanced to the quarterfinals of America’s oldest ongoing soccer tournament with a dramatic win over the MLS side San Jose Earthquakes in extra time. After the game, fans learned that Cal Expo was not expected to allow the club to host their quarterfinal match or possibly a semifinal match because they conflicted with preparations for the State Fair in July.
But Cal Expo issued its statement Wednesday morning saying it would allow the team to host the next round should it land a home game when the U.S. Soccer Federation holds its draw Wednesday night for the tournament’s round of eight.
Heart Health Park, where Republic FC plays its home games, is owned by Cal Expo and located on the west side of the 900-acre fairgrounds and event venue. It shares an entrance and parking lot with the midway portion of the State Fair. The stadium can hold as many as 11,569 fans, but can create logistical concerns when games and the State Fair happen together.
Last year, the State Fair drew about 600,000 visitors during its 17-day run.
The fairgrounds will play host to the Sacramento County Fair, which draws roughly 70,000 people each year, starting Thursday.
The quarterfinals for the U.S. Open Cup are set for July 9 and 10, days before the State Fair kicks off on July 12.
Two sources with knowledge of the conflict who were not authorized to speak on the matter told The Sacramento Bee that Republic FC was hoping to work something out with Cal Expo to satisfy both sides during that critical window.
The two sides had been in discussions about the possible dates since last year, the sources said.
The team has hosted U.S. Open Cup matches during the State Fair before. In 2022, Republic FC beat MLS club Sporting Kansas City to advance to the championship. The second-tier United Soccer League team also has a regular-season home game scheduled July 13, the Saturday after the State Fair begin.
Republic FC coach Mark Briggs said he wasn’t happy about the possibility of Republic FC not being able to host.
“If that’s true, and that’s the first I’ve heard of it, that’s an absolute travesty,” Briggs said after Tuesday’s win. “It’s an absolute joke. How can we not play here in our home stadium? How can we not allow our fans, how can we not allow our club to be put on a national platform?”
Briggs’ team beat San Jose, 4-3, with two goals in the second 15 minutes of extra time after falling behind in the 100th minute when Earthquakes standout Hernán López broke a 2-2 tie. Republic FC scored consecutive goals in the 106th and 107th minutes to escape with the come-from-behind victory.
Sacramento — which has been trying to obtain an MLS franchise and a new stadium for years — improved to 4-1 when hosting MLS teams in the U.S. Open Cup. Republic FC’s payroll for the entire roster is believed to be roughly $1.2 million, while López signed with San Jose for a club record transfer fee of around $6 million this spring. San Jose’s payroll is believed to be roughly $13.6 million, according to Spotrac.
