One more game: Sacramento Republic prepares for Jägermeister Cup glory

Sacramento Republic FC is preparing for the chance to secure its first trophy of the season.

The Indomitable Club will compete in the final of the USL Jägermeister Cup Saturday at Heart Health Park at 7 p.m. Sacramento is squaring off against Connecticut-based Hartford Athletic, with either team poised to make history. 

The winner will become the first USL Championship club to be crowned the tournament’s champion.

New year, new competition

The Jägermeister Cup the first interleague competition between two professional divisions in U.S. soccer. 

Launched in 2024 for the third-tier USL League One only, the tournament expanded this year to include clubs from the second-division USL Championship league, including Republic FC.

The cup is among a series of new developments for Sacramento Republic this year. The team broke ground on its new stadium project in the Downtown Railyards in August, with an expected opening date in 2027. Sacramento’s squad is also playing under a new head coach — Neill Collins, who took over from longtime coach Mark Briggs in the offseason.

The Scotsman comes to Sacramento with extensive coaching experience in the USL Championship, having led the Tampa Bay Rowdies for six seasons to three consecutive Eastern Conference finals - including two wins. Collins was also voted the 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Year, and earlier this year became the fourth head coach to reach 100 league wins.

“It’s been really enjoyable. Getting to know a new staff, a new group of players trying to work together to build something here that can be successful,” Collins said. “Now we’re getting to an exciting time of the year where games take on that little bit more meaning, and that’s what we all want to be involved in.”

Sacramento head coach Neill Collins gestures during the team's match against Lexington SC July 19, 2025.Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC

The road to the cup

The Republic’s Jägermeister Cup journey began earlier this year in the group stage. Sacramento secured three wins against AV Alta FC, Las Vegas Lights FC and Spokane Velocity FC to finish at the top of their group, overcoming a 1-0 loss to Orange County SC.

That goal would be the only one Sacramento conceded across the entire tournament, an effort Collins attributed to a whole-team effort. “You might not always be firing on all cylinders on the attacking front, but if you can then be resolute defensively, it gives you an opportunity to get something from the game,” he said.

Then came the knockout rounds. The Indomitable Club failed to score a goal in either the quarterfinal or semifinal, and needed to overcome two penalty shootouts in order to advance.

Despite his offense being out of sync, Collins believed in the team’s chances.

“Funny enough, I was really pleased with both performances,” he said. “I actually felt relatively calm about the situation… I think the players just handled those moments so, so well.” 

Among Sacramento’s defensive standouts is goalkeeper Jared Mazzola. Now in his second year with the club, Mazzola has largely been on the bench during league games where Republic FC has preferred star goalkeeper Danny Vitiello. 

But he has enjoyed a breakout performance in the Jägermeister Cup, with a number of clutch saves. The 26-year-old Mazzola said Sacramento’s defense has allowed a low number of shots on goal, and credited its flexibility to “plug and play” defenders as needed.

He said facing down penalty kicks is part of the job, to deliver when the team is counting on him.

“As a goalkeeper those are the moments that we live for, especially because of how the odds are so stacked against you,” Mazzola explained. “I think there’s a general peace in knowing you’re not supposed to be saving those shots, so I’d find that and take that as an advantage.”

Sacramento Republic FC goalkeeper Jared Mazzola takes a goal kick during the team's group stage win over AV Alta FC April 26, 2025.Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC

Mazzola made three critical stops during the shootouts to keep Sacramento alive. Two came against Virginia-based Loudoun United FC in the quarterfinal, while the third secured a Republic victory in the semifinal against Rhode Island FC.

As the whistle blew Mazzola dove to the left, his outstretched right hand palming the ball over the crossbar. Waggling his finger, the goalkeeper dashed to the corner flag and tackled it in celebration before disappearing beneath a pile of Sacramento teammates.

“I know once I saw everyone running over to me, we had to do something special,” Mazzola recalled. “It was fun to get into a little dogpile and just bounce off the lads. I was just so happy to be able to help send this team to the next round, because that’s what we deserve.”

Final in friendly territory

Saturday’s cup final against Hartford Athletic will be the first pro sports championship played in Sacramento in over a decade.

It will also be Sacramento’s third final in team history, all of which came in different competitions. The club won the USL Championship in its inaugural 2014 season and made a Cinderella run to the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals, beating multiple Major League Soccer teams along the way.

Collins said his players were “delighted” to learn Heart Health Park would host the Jägermeister Cup. He cited the natural challenges of road games, and the power that comes from playing for thousands of fans.

“Playing in front of our home crowd makes a big difference,” Collins said. “That 12th man that the fans can be, can pull you through in any tough moments.” 

In preparing for the final, the coach said Sacramento is giving Hartford Athletic the proper respect, with players focused on executing skills honed throughout a season of competition.

But he encourages the team and fans to savor this moment, reminding them that playing in a final does not happen often — especially at home.

“We have such great attendances, it’s great to reward those guys with a big game,” Collins said. “Take it all the way and win in front of them… so that the next generation of Sacramento fans sees the team win a trophy.”

As for Sacramento’s goalkeeper? He is preparing for the championship match as if it were any other game. “Making it more than what it is, is only foolish,” Mazzola said.

At the same time, Mazzola’s eager to don the team’s crest and step onto the pitch one more time. “I’ll be buzzing. My family will be there, my fiance’s family will be there, and I’m just so, so blessed to be in this position to say I played in a final,” he said. 

“I can’t wait for that whistle to go, and to get it underway.”