ORLANDO, Fla. — The Sacramento Republic’s Cinderella run through the U.S. Open Cup fell short at the final hurdle.
The Republic embarked on a magical run to become the first second-division side to qualify for the championship game since 2008.
Sacramento took down MLS opposition in three consecutive rounds — San Jose Earthquakes in the round of 16, LA Galaxy in the quarterfinals and Sporting KC in a memorable semifinal that required penalties after 120 scoreless minutes.
But that run ended one step short on Wednesday night, when Orlando City beat Sacramento 3-0 at Exploria Stadium.
“I think the guys made the city proud, everyone associated with the club proud,” Republic manager Mark Briggs said. “I think this run has ignited a flame in the city and got the supporters behind the club and buzzing about the club again after, obviously, a dark cloud was over it for a little bit.”
Sacramento was awarded an MLS franchise in 2019, with plans to enter the league this year. However, prospective majority owner Ron Burkle backed out of the deal in February 2021 due to “issues with the project related to COVID-19,” the league stated.
Though the team still harbors MLS ambitions, it is moving forward with plans to expand its stadium regardless of the league in which it plays.
“Like anything else in life, you deal with the reality, pick the pieces back up and move forward,” owner Kevin Nagle told Pro Soccer Wire in July. “We have not given up on MLS.”
Republic midfielder Rodrigo López had few words in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s loss when asked to sum up the team’s remarkable journey.
“I’m just extremely proud of the team that I had the privilege of walking out with tonight,” López said. “We didn’t hold anything back. I thought we were solid for 75 minutes. We gave up a goal, and the tides changed.”
That goal came off the boot of Uruguayan star Facundo Torres, a player Briggs highlighted as an example of the financial gulf between Sacramento and its MLS opponents in the tournament.
“You make mistakes against teams of this level, you get punished. And that’s what happened,” Briggs said. “Torres [might be] going to the World Cup in November. Orlando paid $9 million for him. That’s more than the value of our club.”
López was disappointed in defeat, but the veteran knew that when he looked back on the tournament as a whole he would be proud of what his side accomplished.
“At the end of the day we have to be proud of ourselves, you know?” said López. “We made history. We did things that no one thought we could do. Put ourselves in a situation to play a final. That’s something that everyone should hold on to.”
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