Sacramento Republic’s push to lift a trophy in front of a hometown crowd came to a bitter end Saturday night at Heart Health Park, doomed by more offensive issues.
The “Indomitable Club” fell 1-0 to Connecticut-based Hartford Athletic in the USL Jägermeister Cup final. Sacramento failed to score for the third straight game in the competition, forcing the team to watch the green-suited visitors celebrate in their home stadium.
Saturday’s game in front of a sell-out crowd of almost 12,000 was Sacramento’s third tournament final in team history.
Building excitement
Before the match began Sacramento fans gathered for a tailgate or marched into Heart Health Park to the chants and drums of the Tower Bridge Battalion, a club supporters group.
Steven Sharp said he enjoyed the atmosphere of a Republic game. “People always show up, they get loud, they get rowdy… it’s a good time,” he said.
Sharp commented on the significance of the day’s game, the first time Sacramento would be competing for the Jägermeister Cup. “This is one of the biggest games in the history of this team,” he said. “I’ve seen some awesome moments live in-person… seeing them represent Sacramento, and Sacramento coming out for them, is always an awesome experience.”
Inside the stadium grounds fans of all ages milled around, taking in the atmosphere. Kimiko Walker brought the youth team from Sacramento United Soccer Club. She said the group has been Republic fans for years.
“We’re very excited for kickoff,” Walker said as the young players cheered, “we think they’re going to win too! Championship!”
Kimiko Walker (fifth from right) and the youth team from Sacramento United Soccer Club prepare for kickoff Oct. 4, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
Jasarry Ocapan from Stockton sang the National Anthem for the game. She said it was her first time singing for a Republic match, and was excited to be there with her mother, father and aunt. “I’m looking forward to seeing everybody happy, seeing so many new faces, so many diversities of people… go Republic!”
Attendees also commented on many of the changes Sacramento Republic has experienced leading into this season. Season ticketholder Paul Philleo said he was interested to see what the club’s new majority owners Wilton Rancheria have in store.
“We have some creative ownership now, that seems to feel like they can achieve a lot of their goals with this particular club, and I think that’s different than other owners that they’ve had in the past,” he said.
Cathy Lambert said developments like the new Downtown Railyards stadium show that Sacramento’s time has come in the soccer world. “I thought we arrived a year or two ago, but here we are and we’re moving forward, and I think the area is rallying around the team,” she said.
Paul Philleo (left) and Cathy Lambert (right) are Sacramento season ticketholders, and said they were excited for both the final match and new developments in Republic FC's future.Chris Felts/CapRadio
Sharp said the team’s on-field performance has contributed to its popularity, and attracted both attention and investment. “That’s why it’s awesome to see the stadium finally happening,” he said. “I think the way it’s going down now, it’s the way it’s meant to be.”
The lead-up to the opening whistle was raucous with fireworks, cowbells, an array of flags, and a skydiver delivering the game ball. As Sacramento’s starting lineup took the field, the crowd roared each player’s name.
A tale of two halves
The final was a matchup of opposites. Hartford Athletic was the most prolific-scoring team in this year’s Jägermeister Cup, netting 14 goals. On the other hand Sacramento Republic’s defense had been resolute, conceding only one goal across six matches.
But the club had also failed to score in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, and needed to win two penalty shootouts to reach the final.
Sacramento Republic's starting lineup for the USL Jägermeister Cup final at Heart Health Park Oct. 4, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
The first half of the game was a back-and-forth battle. Hartford took several shots at Sacramento’s goal, while Republic FC had a chance to take the lead on a header from forward Russell Cicerone, but it smashed off the goal. Neither side could gain an advantage before heading to the locker room at halftime.
Early in the second half Sacramento goalkeeper Jared Mazzola forced a major save, drawing chants of “Jared, Jared, Jared” from fans. But moments later the defense was breached. Hartford midfielder Samuel Careaga slipped a shot by Mazzola to give the visitors the lead.
Sacramento pushed for an equalizer, but their offense continued to misfire. As time began drawing short, Republic fans made their feelings known by booing or mooing at Hartford for “milking the clock,” criticizing the referees and urging the team forward.
For the last 10 minutes Sacramento peppered the visitor’s goal, but Hartford Athletic bunkered down. Republic FC was also forced down to 10 men after forward Sebastián Herrera was shown his second yellow card. The final whistle blew shortly after, sealing Sacramento’s fate.
Hartford Athletic became the first USL Championship club to win the Jägermeister Cup, their first-ever trophy. The match was also the team’s first-ever win over Sacramento.
“Every time we go away, the other teams, they talk down to us, they come home to our place and they don’t give us any respect,” said Hartford captain Jordan Scarlett while being presented with the trophy. “We’re the target now, we don’t press. We hunt.”
Hartford Athletic players cheer as they lift the Jägermeister Cup at Heart Health Park Oct. 4, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
Picking up the pieces
Sacramento defender Lee Desmond called the match a “typical cup final. Very scrappy, hectic, fast paced, lots of turnovers… at times not a lot of quality.”
“The group is so strong together… we’ve grown so much under Neill, it’s so hard to get to a cup final,” Desmond said. “Just absolutely devastated for myself… the players, the staff, the fans.”
Sacramento Republic defender Lee Desmond addresses the media after the team's loss in the Jägermeister Cup final Oct. 4, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
First-year head coach Neill Collins said he was “bitterly disappointed” by the result, and did not mince words when asked whether the team generated enough offensively. “No, I don’t think we did it,” Collins said.
He said Sacramento finished the game strong, “but in the final third looked a little nervous, didn’t really execute… we started really poorly.” Collins said his messaging to the team is to be honest with themselves. “We fell short, and we need to look at why. We want to be in these games,” he said.
Mazzola had a breakout performance in the competition, but acknowledged the night was difficult to process, especially when he heard the final whistle. “It was the end of a cup run that was really special to me, and really special to a lot of the fans,” he said. “We’re just sorry that we weren’t able to get it done.”
Sacramento goalkeeper Jared Mazzola addresses the media after the team's loss in the Jägermeister Cup final Oct. 4, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
He also took ownership for conceding Hartford’s goal, calling it a moment to learn from. “They played a short corner… unfortunately it was behind bodies, and I reacted late,” Mazzola said.
Players praised Sacramento’s faithful for turning out in force, even if the result was not what they expected. “Fans [were] unbelievable,” Desmond said. “That’s part of the reason why we’re so disappointed because to win a trophy in your home city, how often do you get the chance to do that?”
“Sacramento shows out for us. It's just extremely unfortunate that we didn't show out for them,” Mazzola said. “[I’m] nothing but blessed to be able to wear this shirt and play in front of these fans.”
Despite the disappointment of a cup loss, Sacramento still has much to play for. A mid-week win secured the Republic’s spot in the USL Championship playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. The team is currently second in the Western Conference, and pushing to lock up the top spot.
“We need to be ready, we have still got a couple of trophies to play for, which does give us something to look forward to,” Collins said.
The Indomitable Club’s attention now turns to their next game on Saturday — a rematch against Hartford in Connecticut.
“We all watched them lift the trophy. That’s going to be motivation,” Desmond said.
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