Sacramento Republic FC strike deal with Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes

The partnerships between USL PRO clubs and MLS teams keep on coming and today, Sacramento Republic FC announced that they are partnering with the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes. Portland and San Jose will be sending a minimum of two players each to the club and neither team will participate in the MLS Reserve League.

The Republic are entering their first season and plan to host matches at an 8,000-seat, multi-use facility at the California Exposition & State Fair, commonly known as Cal Expo, in Sacramento, Calif., pending approval by the Cal Expo board of directors.

“We are excited to team up with Republic FC as our USL PRO affiliate,” Earthquakes president Dave Kaval told the media on Thursday. “Establishing a USL PRO affiliation is a critical step in our continued investment in player development that includes our Academy, our PDL team, and our Homegrown player efforts. Beyond the player-development benefits, we feel that it is important to help develop professional soccer in Sacramento with an eye to eventually making it a home for its very own MLS team.”

“We are pleased to form an affiliation with Sacramento Republic FC for 2014,” Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson said. “This partnership allows us the ability to aid in the development of players by getting them more consistent playing time in a competitive environment while helping Republic FC strive for success on the field.”

“We are excited to partner with the Timbers and Earthquakes in an effort to develop talent on the field, emulate each club’s business success and eventually garner an MLS franchise of our own,” said Sacramento Republic president Warren Smith. “Our organization is twice blessed with the ability to learn from not one, but two MLS clubs, their experienced operating teams and engaged, passionate supporters.

“This affiliate agreement provides Sacramento Republic FC, as well as the entire Sacramento region, one of the most talented USL PRO clubs in the league and a MLS vision for our community.”

Only four USL Pro clubs do not have an affiliation agreement: Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, LA Blues, and Phoenix FC.

MLS Clubs with USL Pro affiliation agreements include Columbus (Dayton Dutch Lions), D.C. United (Richmond Kickers), Houston (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), New England Revolution (Rochester Rhinos), Philadelphia (Harrisburg City Islanders), Sporting Kansas City (Oklahoma City Energy, Orlando City), and Toronto FC (Wilmington Hammerheads).