The 2015 Sacramento Republic FC season was the club's second season of existence. The club played in the newly rebranded United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as USL Pro, the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. After offseason expansion of the USL from 14 to 24 teams and division into an Eastern and Western Conference, Sacramento Republic FC competed in the new Western Conference.[1] The Republic entered the season as defending champions, having defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 2–0 in the USL final on September 27, 2014.[2] The season began on March 21 and concluded on September 20.[3]
Background
Winter 2014–15, USL Pro's off season, saw numerous headlines for Sacramento Republic FC. Owner Warren Smith, Technical Director Graham Smith, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and other delegates met with MLS officials, including Commissioner Don Garber, several times to continue their push for a MLS franchise. MLS announced February 2015 that Las Vegas was no longer in contention for an MLS franchise, narrowing the list of potentials to Sacramento and Minneapolis.
Republic's efforts with MLS as well as their successes on and off the pitch rallied many to help invest in the club to push further Republic FC's efforts for an MLS franchise. These investors include co-founder and ex-CEO of Envision Pharmaceutical Kevin Negal, UFC fighter Urijah Faber, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, San Francisco 49ers owners the York Family.
As success and popularity grew, demand for more seating at Bonny Field grew. The Board of Directors of Cal Expo approved expanded seating at Bonney Field and the endline stands were removed and replaced with 30-row bleachers, increasing the capacity to around 11,000.[4]
For the 2015 season, USL Pro expanded to 24 teams, including Portland Timbers 2, concluding Portland's USL affiliation with the Republic.