Fans Turn Out For Sac Republic FC's Match Against UC Davis
DAVIS (CBS13) – Sunday, Sacramento Republic FC played its first and only preseason scrimmage, that was on sale, against UC Davis.
The team is finding fans are fiending for professional soccer.
Fans sold out this preseason game a week early.
"We see what professional soccer has done around the country and our kids are watching it," said spectator Toby Douglas.
Team president Warren Smith is on a path to prove this new USL Pro team is ready for big time – major league soccer by 2016.
"We were told by MLS [that] if we are in that 5,000 season ticket range, that they are going to be paying attention to us," Smith said.
Ahead of moving into this new Cal Expo stadium this season, Sacramento Republic FC now has 4,700 season ticket holders – first in its league.
Smith believes average home attendance will be 8,000 a game.
"As far as the strategic plan, we're executing on everything ... and sending a message. And more important, we're just trying to have fun," Smith said.
The goal is getting Sacramento on the map of major league soccer.
April 26 is the team's first home game, to be played at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium. They hope to be in their own Cal Expo facility in May.
Sacramento Republic FC did eventually lose their match against UC Davis by a score of 1-0.
