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USL Sacramento Republic FC

From Rivals to Teammates: Casey and Desmond Thrilled to Share a Backline at Last

May 5, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Building a tight defensive core is no simple feat. This offseason, General Manager Todd Dunivant and Mark Briggs searched for components that would complement the strong foundation from 2021. Defensive chemistry is key to a stout back line and a successful campaign. The journeys for Dan Casey and Lee Desmond from the Emerald Isle to the Indomitable City vary in special ways, but their connection to home adds to the chemistry of Republic FC's defensive front.

Between 2017 and 2020, Casey and Desmond faced off 11 times in the Irish Premier Division - Desmond then as a member of St. Patrick's Athletic, and Casey a member of Bohemians FC and Cork City FC. Their clubs were part of a four-team grouping of cross-town rivalries in Dublin, similar to the cross-town derbies fans of all sports in the U.S. mark on their calendars ahead of every season. However, despite each calling the same city home and observing similar youth career paths in England, not once had the two shared the pitchwhile wearing the same jersey.

That opportunity wouldn't come until this season after Desmond joined Casey, who came over from Ireland in 2021, in making the 5,000 mile (8,000 km) move to Sacramento to join the Indomitable Club.

To finally be wearing the same uniform is an experience each have been thrilled to get - resulting in back line play emerging as an early anchor of Republic FC's excellent start to the 2022 season. Since Desmond joined his fellow countryman in March, the pair has quickly developed a connection noticeable to themselves and others.

"With Lee being here there's already a bit of chemistry," Casey said. "I think we've got the same mentality; we want the same thing for the team. It's only going to get better as we continue."

"It's really enjoyable [to play with each other for the first time]," Desmond shared. "We're still learning each other, but I think we suit each other's games really well. Even when we talk about the game, we want the same things."

Through a former teammate of Lee's, it was Casey that he initially contacted about his journey to the U.S. a year prior. Dan gladly gave him everything he needed to know and more, and connected him with a few more people who did the same. When Desmond's signing was announced, nobody was more excited about it than Casey both due to his pedigree and because it meant having another Irishman for the defender to connect with.The latter detail has been a big thing for each of them since Desmond's arrival. In fact, it gives them each comfort - in Desmond's words, it's nice to hear the accent sometimes - and has extended to their off-field relationship. They're quite close when not on the field, and often send banter back and forth when their former clubs face off with one another. It's been a big help in dealing with the difficulty of playing overseas.

"Just to have a few people from back home; you can't really replicate that," said Casey. "Lee and I will share a laugh when our former teams play each other and its sort of helps with the homesickness."

"Talking with Dan was so important because it was a massive move," Desmond acknowledged. "Knowing he was here, as with a few British players, helped a bunch. It's been really easy because of that, and everyone here has been so nice."

The duo has helped lead one of the best backline groupings in the league this season, even with little previous history. With them leading the charge, the club's kept a few of the league's best attacking units coming into the year in at bay, and helped threaten constantly in set piece situations. In Sacramento's past three matches, all but one of their scores has come from defenders. Further, they simply complement each other in a way that Mark Briggs and his club just didn't see coming - a relationship that should only grow as the long season continues.

"I think we complement each other really well," Desmond said. "Dan's more aggressive, and I probably cover in more behind, we've got a mix of both. So far it's good, and it's only going to get better."

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