Republic notebook: Playoff spot clinched, game delayed, Kickstart Grant voting open
Since Sacramento Republic FC’s inception in 2014, they have always made the postseason.
That won’t change this year, even amid a pandemic causing a shortened season and a new World Cup-style format. Sac Republic clinched a playoff berth Thursday night when Reno 1868 beat Tacoma Defiance 3-2. It’s the second-longest postseason streak in the United Soccer League Championship, according to Nicholas Murray.
Republic FC had to wait a day to possibly clinch a playoff spot because of a positive COVID-19 test in the Tacoma Defiance organization. That caused Tacoma’s game against Reno to be delayed a day to Thursday. Because of the schedule change, Sac Republic will play Tacoma at home Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Earlier this season, Sac Republic had a game against Orange County delayed in July due to a positive COVID-19 test from an opponent later confirmed to be La Galaxy ll.
Belmar, Bijev and Diaz earn weekly honors
It was a big week for Kharlton Belmar, Villyan Bijev and Rafael Diaz.
Belmar earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench for Week 12 after having two assists last week against Reno. It’s Belmar’s ninth selection to the USL Team of the Week in his career.
The game-winning goal scored by Bijev in the 87th minute against Orange County SC on September 9 won the Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week with 45% of the vote.
Diaz earned Fans’ Choice Save of the Week after receiving 69% of the vote. His save came in the Orange County game in the third minute.
Republic Kickstart grant voting is open
Republic FC launched voting this week for the Kickstart program that is designed to assist Black-owned small businesses in the Sacramento area facing economic challenges through the pandemic.
Over 50 small businesses across Sacramento representing health & fitness, technology, restaurants and culinary creators, fashion, art, education and more were nominated.
Each small business that was nominated will receive free educational services and consulting resources provided by Suncrest Bank.
Fans can vote for up to five businesses once a day at SacRepublicFC.com/suncrestbank through September 22. The top five businesses as selected by the club’s fans will have one final opportunity to make their pitch for the $5,000 grant. The five finalists will create a sixty-second pitch video and present to the final judging panel including a representative from Suncrest Bank and Republic FC, as well as Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Azizza Davis Goines, media host Big Al Sams, and Savvy Consulting founder Jovan Agee.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 10:19 AM.