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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Republic FC Names Roster for Preseason Training Camp

January 22, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento Republic FC will begin preseason training camp next week at Cosumnes River College on Monday, January 27. Head Coach Mark Briggs named his preliminary 24-man roster competing for spots with the first team, including two players who earned invitations to preseason camp following an impressive trial during the club's annual open tryouts.

A few familiar faces returning to the Indomitable Club include Cameron Iwasa, the club's all-time leading goal scorer, who resigned with the boys in Old Glory Red this offseason. Club legend Rodrigo Lopez is also reuniting with Republic FC for his second stint with the club after playing in Mexico's top division. During Sacramento's inaugural season in 2014, RoRo was instrumental in guiding the Indomitable Club to its first-ever USL Championship title.

A handful of new additions with Major League Soccer experience joining the Indomitable Club for the coming season include goalkeeper Adam Grinwis - Orlando City SC, defender Tomas Hilliard-Arce - LA Galaxy, midfielder and MLS Cup winner Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu - Atlanta United, and Kharlton Belmar - Sporting Kansas City.

Republic FC Academy products and local standouts defender Hayden Sargis (Turlock, CA) and midfielder Mario Penagos (Elk Grove, CA) recently signed their first professional contracts and will have the opportunity to be part of the Indomitable Club's first team foundation for the foreseeable future and beyond.

Also receiving invites to training camp are Republic FC Academy goalkeeper Diego Ramos and midfielder Julian Chavez. Ramos signed his first 'USL Academy' contract in July of 2019, allowing the 17-year-old goalkeeper to be an available substitute in five USL regular season matches this past season. Chavez has competed in 10 USSDA matches this season with the Republic FC U-19s and scored five goals. The midfielder has 36 goals in his SRFC Academy career.

Two trialists, Khalid Balogun and Ashkanov Apollon, earned invitations to training camp after impressing during open tryouts last weekend and have an opportunity to join the team for the 2020 regular season. Balogun, a six-foot-four forward, played his college ball at St. Mary's College of Maryland where the striker scored 12 goals, registered seven assists and was named the St. Mary's Athlete of the Month for September during his senior season in 2018. Ashkanov, a versatile winger/fullback plied his trade in Thailand before joining the Seattle Sounders U-23 team for one season before returning to play professionally in Thailand.

Just because training camp has yet to begin doesn't mean fans can't lock in their tickets for the 2020 home opener on March 7. All fans can secure their seats by selecting a full or partial-season plan today - starting at just 5 matches. Not only will you lock in tickets for the 2020 USL Championship season, but you'll also receive the full slate of Republic FC membership benefits and MLS priority access for the 2022 season.

Preliminary Roster for 2020 Training Camp

Goalkeepers (3): Adam Grinwis, Rafael Diaz, Diego Ramos

Defenders (7): Hayden Sargis, Dekel Keinan, Juan Barahona, Shannon Gomez, Matt Mahoney, Jordan McCrary, Tomas Hilliard-Arce

Midfielders (10): Villyan Bijev, Dariusz Formella, Drew Skundrich, Jaime Villarreal, Sam Werner, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Rodrigo Lopez, Mario Penagos, Julian Chavez, Ashkanov Apollon

Forwards (4): Cameron Iwasa, Khalid Balogun, Daawdy Seay, Kharlton Belmar

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