‘It’s nervewracking every time’: After a COVID-19 scare, Sac Republic to play again
Sac Republic FC held practice Friday, like any normal day, looking to tune up for a game Saturday against San Diego Loyal SC.
But the last few weeks of the United Soccer League season have been anything but normal. Since the USL reboot started July 13, nine games have been postponed. In most markets, no fans are allowed in the stands.
Despite all the USL protocols in place, players across the league are still testing positive for COVID-19.
The most recent example was Wednesday night. Sac Republic’s game against Orange County was postponed because of a positive COVID-19 test by a previous opponent. The positive test came from LA Galaxy ll — Sacramento’s last opponent.
Sac Republic went through USL protocols, including testing players, coaches and staff. A league source told The Sacramento Bee on Thursday night that everyone tested negative.
“That’s obviously a concern,” Sac Republic coach Mark Briggs said of someone testing positive. “Unfortunately right now, it’s a reality. We are following every single protocol we can and we are doing everything to make the risk as minimal as possible. At the same time, you can’t control everyone else. Our players have been following all the protocols when they leave our supervision — they have been first class about that. It’s a worry for every single person out there. We are all hoping to stay safe.
Briggs added, “It’s nervewracking every time you go to get tested. You hear different clubs and different sports coming back with positive tests. We are very strict (with our protocols) — we have to be. Wednesday was a realization of why we have been so strict (with the protocols).”
This isn’t the first time Sac Republic has dealt with the virus.
In March, an unidentified Sac Republic tested positive for COVID-19. Last week, an unidentified player on the Reno 1868 USL soccer team — Sac Republic’s last home opponent — tested positive for the coronavirus.
Unlike the NBA, which rebooted its season in a bubble at Disney World on Thursday night, USL teams are not living in a controlled environment. Players, coaches and staff live in their home towns and live life with friends, family and neighbors.
“It’s definitely a different responsibility,” Republic forward Kharlton Belmar said. “At the end of the day, we have to be responsible and make sure we are doing the right things to stay safe and also keep each other accountable.
“It’s one of those things where you can only control what you can control, but we are taking all the necessary precautions,” Belmar said. “At the end of the day, we’re taking all the necessary precautions we need to in order to test negative and stay safe. We can only hold up our end of the bargain and hope everybody else does the same.”
Major League Baseball is the only other professional sports league in the United States operating without a bubble. As of Friday, eight MLB teams have had games delayed because of positive COVID-19 tests.
“It’s difficult and some people say the bubble is the way to go and there are others that say it’s not,” Briggs said. “Everyone has their own opinion on what they think is right. All league went with (no bubble). We have to make sure our players understand the seriousness of coronavirus. I have full trust in our players with all the negative tests. It’s nervewracking and it’s not easy.”
For now, Sac Republic’s game against San Diego on Saturday is on, but Briggs acknowledged that more positive tests and more postponed games could put a cancelation or delay on the USL season.
“Those thoughts come into your mind,” Briggs said. “You take each day as it comes. Whatever is thrown at you today, might be something different as tomorrow. We have to control what we can control and hope we get to play and continue.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 1:39 PM with the headline "‘It’s nervewracking every time’: After a COVID-19 scare, Sac Republic to play again."