Sacramento reportedly is 29th franchise in MLS
Major League Soccer is reportedly expanding to the state capital.
According to the Sacramento Bee, MLS will announce Monday that its 29th franchise will call Sacramento its home.
The team name will be Sacramento Republic FC, the moniker currently held by the city’s entry in the lowerdivision United Soccer League.
Officials with the MLS and the city would not confirm or comment on the Bee’s report, but in a statement included in the paper’s story, Sacramento Republic FC said: “We share the great excitement and anticipation in our community about Sacramento’s bid to join Major League Soccer. We will continue to respect the MLS expansion process and remain confident about the future of our club and our city. We look forward to sharing more information in the days ahead.”
In a tweet that included the logos of the MLS and the team, Republic FC wrote: “Psst... save the date. You do not want to miss our Indomitable Block Party.” The party is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday on the Capitol Mall and Fifth Street.
According to Sports Illustrated, it’s unclear when the team would begin playing. Next season, MLS — which has stated its intention to grow from 24 to 30 teams — will add franchises in Miami and Nashville, then expand to Austin, Texas, in 2021 and to St. Louis in 2022.
Sacramento Republic FC would be the second MLS team in Northern California — joining the San Jose Earthquakes — and would be fourth in the state (LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC).
The first order of business will be building a $250 million, 20,000seat stadium on a 14acre site near the downtown railyard. The location is blocks away from Golden 1 Center, which opened in 2016 and is home to the NBA’s Kings.
According to the Bee, the investment group is led by Sacramento businessman Kevin Nagle, Hollywood movie producer Matt Alvarez and billionaire Ron Burkle, who also owns the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Among the other investors are the York family, owners of the 49ers. They invested in the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC in 2015.