Will they or won’t they play Sac Republic FC’s home opener on Saturday? A potential USL player strike looms
PLACE. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO APPEAL THE ORDER. A POTENTIAL PLAYER STRIKE COULD IMPACT THE START OF SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC SEASON OPENING HOME GAME THIS SATURDAY. THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE, USL AND PLAYERS ARE STILL NOT IN AGREEMENT ON A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. KCRA 3’S MIKE TESELLE VISITED THE TEAM THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THE UNCERTAINTY OVER SATURDAY’S GAME IS PROVING TO BE A DISTRACTION, AS THE SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC PLAYERS CONTINUE TO COUNT DOWN TO THE SEASON OPENING GAME THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT HEART HEALTH PARK. THERE’S ALSO THIS QUESTION OF WHAT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT GAME IS GOING TO BE PLAYED? THAT IS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE PLAYERS IN THIS LEAGUE AND THE LEAGUE ITSELF ARE NEGOTIATING A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. AT THIS POINT, THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT. AND THE BIG NEWS HERE IS THAT LAST WEEK, THE PLAYERS UNION. THEY AUTHORIZED TO STRIKE WHENEVER NECESSARY, IF NECESSARY. NOW NO STRIKE DATE IS SET, BUT IT LOOMS AS A POSSIBILITY, CREATING SOME UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SATURDAY NIGHTS WILL GET PLAYED OR NOT. BUT EITHER WAY, THE PLAYERS HERE, WHETHER THEY’RE NEW OR OLD, SAY THEY ARE READY TO GET HEART HEALTH PARK ROCKING FOR OPENING NIGHT. IT’S GOING TO BE ELECTRIC. THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON, THE HOME OPENER IS ALWAYS A BIG GAME FOR ALL THE FANS TO COME AND SEE, SO I’M SURE THE FANS ARE GOING TO PACK THE STADIUM. IT’S GOING TO BE A REALLY FUN ENVIRONMENT. I MEAN, I PLAYED HERE BEFORE AGAINST SACRAMENTO AND I CAN TELL YOU WHEN WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’RE COMING HERE TO PLAY, IT’S LIKE IT’S HELL. IT’S, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THE TEAM, BECAUSE THE FANS AND YOU KNOW, I’M I’M EXCITED FOR FOR SATURDAY. AND AGAIN AS THE PLAYERS PREPARE FOR OPENING NIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT, THAT UNCERTAINTY DOES REMAIN. BUT BOTH SIDES ARE MEETING TODAY TO CONTINUE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS TO POTENTIALLY AVOID ANY TYPE OF STRIKE THAT LOOMS OVER THE SEASON OPENER, NOT JUST HERE IN SACRAMENTO, BUT ALL ACROSS THE LEAGUE. EITHER WAY, THESE PLAYERS SAY THEY’RE READY FOR SATURDAY NIGHT IF THE GAME HAPPENS IN SACRAMENTO, MIKE TESELLE. KCRA THREE NEWS.
Will they or won’t they play Sac Republic FC’s home opener on Saturday? A potential USL player strike looms
Updated: 12:58 PM PST Mar 5, 2026
As the clock counts down to the start of the new Sacramento Republic FC home opener on Saturday, there is uncertainty about whether the game will be played.That is because the possibility of a players’ strike is looming over opening weekend.The United Soccer League and the players’ union still have not reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. Last week, the players’ union voted to authorize a strike whenever necessary.On Wednesday, the league posted that it believed there was “significant movement on key issues identified by the (players’ union).”USL said online that the league made “significant movement” on key issues for players, including: $40,000 minimum compensation; no more in-season buyouts, protections related to team contraction; league-level bonuses for player awards and championship teams; and the establishment of pay rates for league-level promotional and commercial appearances. Negotiations are expected to continue on Thursday morning.Representatives for Sacramento Republic FC indicated they are preparing for business as usual.The Tower Bridge Battalion fan supporters’ group posted on X that, “We stand with the USL Players as they fight for the professional standards they deserve.” Saturday’s game at Cal Expo’s Heart Health Park features the top two teams from the USL Championship’s Western Conference last season. FC Tulsa led the conference and the Republic finished second in the West. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
As the clock counts down to the start of the new Sacramento Republic FC home opener on Saturday, there is uncertainty about whether the game will be played.
That is because the possibility of a players’ strike is looming over opening weekend.
The United Soccer League and the players’ union still have not reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Last week, the players’ union voted to authorize a strike whenever necessary.
On Wednesday, the league posted that it believed there was “significant movement on key issues identified by the (players’ union).”
USL said online that the league made “significant movement” on key issues for players, including: $40,000 minimum compensation; no more in-season buyouts, protections related to team contraction; league-level bonuses for player awards and championship teams; and the establishment of pay rates for league-level promotional and commercial appearances.
Negotiations are expected to continue on Thursday morning.
Representatives for Sacramento Republic FC indicated they are preparing for business as usual.
The Tower Bridge Battalion fan supporters’ group posted on X that, “We stand with the USL Players as they fight for the professional standards they deserve.”
Saturday’s game at Cal Expo’s Heart Health Park features the top two teams from the USL Championship’s Western Conference last season. FC Tulsa led the conference and the Republic finished second in the West.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel