See thousands turn out to support Sacramento Republic at convention center watch party
By Jason Anderson and
Xavier Mascareñas
Thousands of fans flooded into a free watch party for the U.S. Open Cup final at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center downtown Wednesday night. Sacramentans turned out to cheer for Republic FC, the local USL team that made an improbable run to the championship game against Orlando City.
The party was for people to watch the championship game of the oldest American soccer tournament, with roots dating back to 1913. Orlando, which plays in MLS, beat Sacramento 3-0 behind a trio of late goals. Sacramento plays in the second-tier USL, which hasn’t had a team win the tournament since 1999.
The event featured free snacks for fans, with food trucks and drinks available to fans. Fans were rowdy throughout the game, only quieting when Orlando scored in the 75th minute, en route to a 3-0 win.
Sacramento Republic FC fan Isaiah Hernandez, 8, of Sacramento, reacts during a watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center after Orlando City SC scores late in the second half at the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. His father, Roy Hernandez, said his son is a huge fan. “We’re season ticket holders, the whole family,” he added. Orlando beat Sacramento, 3-0, after a largely scoreless game. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Munif Beshir, 7, waves a Sacramento Republic FC flag during a U.S. Open Cup final watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Sacramento. Thousands of fans watched from the new venue as Sacramento kept the majority of the game against Orlando City SC tied at nil at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, only to fall 3-0 in the waning minutes of the game. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Cameron Iwasa, former Sacramento Republic FC player and leading goal scorer, sits with thousands of other fans during the watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center as Sacramento plays Orlando City SC at the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Tower Bridge Battalion drummer Ben Viramontes, right, of Sacramento, watches a live shot on the big screen during the watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center as Sacramento plays Orlando City SC at the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Sacramento Republic FC fan Isaiah Hernandez, 8, of Sacramento, reacts during a watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center after Orlando City SC scores late in the second half at the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. His father, Roy Hernandez, said his son is a huge fan. “We’re season ticket holders, the whole family,” he added. Orlando beat Sacramento, 3-0, after a largely scoreless game. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Cameron Iwasa, former Sacramento Republic FC player and leading goal scorer, is hugged by fan Rebecca Dixon, of Sacramento, after the U.S. Open Cup final game watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Sacramento. Orlando City SC pulled ahead towards the end of the game, played in Exploria Stadium in Orlando, to beat Sacramento 3-0 for the title. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Fans wave flags at the watch party at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center as Sacramento Republic FC plays Orlando City SC at the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 8:08 AM.
