Sacramento Republic signs new striker, brings back flashy midfielder Cuello

Sacramento Republic announced a pair of signings this week aimed at bolstering the team’s attack as the Quails retool for the 2022 season.

On Wednesday, Republic announced it signed forward Luther Archimède, who played for two seasons at Syracuse before getting selected 13th in this year’s MLS draft by the New York Red Bulls. He never played for the MLS team but played in 14 USL games for Red Bulls II, scoring three goals and an assist.

“Luther has all of the physical qualities we are looking for in a center forward, but more importantly we are excited to add his mentality and work ethic to our group,” Republic FC President Todd Dunivant said in a news release. “We feel that he’s ready for a breakout year, and we’re excited to welcome him to Sacramento.”

On Tuesday, Republic announced midfielder Emil Cuello will return next season. The Argentinian provided a spark for the Quails, with his quickness and precision lifting the midfield play. He had a goal and two assists for the Quails after coming to Sacramento on a late-season loan in August.

Coach Mark Briggs and Dunivant are overhauling the team’s roster this offseason. Sacramento Republic missed the playoffs for the first time this past season as the Quails struggled to produce goals for long stretches of the season.

Forward Cameron Iwasa, a Jesuit High School graduate, retired at the end of the 2021 season. He starred in five of Republic’s last six seasons. The team could bring back another Jesuit graduate, Tucker Bone, who scored five goals before suffering a season-ending injury during a July practice. The team has already said it won’t exercise a contract option for goalkeeper Tomas Gomez nor Finnish player Petteri Pennanen. Sacramento has said it doesn’t plan to renew contracts for Kharlton Belmar, Rafael Diaz, Shannon Gomez, Jaime Villarreal, Jordan McCrary, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu and Fatai Alashe.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 10:51 AM.