Hot crowd

Recently, I had the chance to attend the second annual Sacramento Soccer Day. It was my second Sacramento Soccer Day, too, having also attended last year's match at Raley Field in which Norwich City FC of the English Premier League beat Dorados de Sinaloa from Mexico's Liga de Ascenso (the country's second-tier league) 3-0. This year, it was West Bromwich Albion FC of the EPL taking on the Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer Leagues' professional division (the country's third-tier league). And this year, the setting was the Republic's home turf, Bonney Field—located inside Cal Expo—with the California State Fair's midway rides spinning around and lighting up the picturesque background.

The game started out scorching—and I don't mean the play on the field. Spectators on the west side of the stadium (sections 101 through 110) had full shade, but the east side (sections 111 through 120—I was in section 112) got the brunt of the setting sun on a 100-degree day. Note to future Republic FC spectators: Get tickets in sections 101 through 110 if it's warm out. Thankfully, things got more comfortable when the sun set behind the stands and I purchased a cold (but expensive) 24-ounce beer.

But let’s cut to the beautiful game—at least in theory. Things started out well for the Republic, with a few shots on goal that forced West Brom's goalkeeper into two saves. But West Bromwich's physical strength and technical superiority helped it respond quickly, with Victor Anichebe assisting on a Saido Berahino goal, and then Berahino assisting on a Youssouf Mulumbu header to end the half at 2-0. West Brom's strong Nigerian striker Anichebe (pictured) continued to shine in the second half when he struck a long-range shot from 25 yards out to make the score 3-0. The Republic finally got one back when J.J. Koval—on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the game—scored in the 73rd minute. The match ended 3-1.

If it's any consolation, the Republic fans got to poke fun at West Brom with chants reminding them that Norwich City FC—which participated in the previous Sacramento Soccer Day—was relegated to the Football League Championship, England's second tier after finishing third-to-last in the EPL this summer.

In all seriousness, it was a huge win in my book for the Republic to even score against a Premier League team. Besides, it's always a good training exercise for lowly teams such as the Sacramento division to play against top-flight opposition, no matter how lopsided the score. Indeed, the benefits showed up in the Republic's next USL Pro league game, in which it dominated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 5-0—while simultaneously breaking the USL Pro attendance record. Things are looking bright (and hot) for the Republic in the next few months.