Two blocks away from the Golden 1 Center steel is going up at the Railyards. When the construction is complete in 2027, Sacramento will have a privately funded, MLS caliber, 12,000-20,000 seat soccer palace. The table is set—all that’s missing is MLS.

The MLS has just welcomed its 30th team, San Diego FC, for a $500 million expansion fee. The league has publicly stated that it’s pausing expansion for now. However, that pause could end the moment someone writes a check.

And it’s a no-brainer that Sacramento should be first in line.

The Central Valley is a soccer star factory. From Redding to Bakersfield, the region pumps out more youth-national team players per capita than any other non-coastal market. The Central Valley has produced stars such as Rodrigo Lopez (longtime Republic star, USL all-time leading scorer), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew, MLS All-Star),  DeAndre Yedlin (USMNT World Cup Squad), Heath Pearce (USMNT Star and ex-Manchester United and Fulham player), and Cade Cowell (USMNT player and MLS Cup winner).  

Let’s also not forget future star Da’vian Kimborough, a 15-year-old Sacramento phenom, who broke history by being the youngest player ever to sign a professional contract at only 13 years old.

Kevin Nagle, former majority owner, now minority owner of Sac Republic, almost landed MLS in 2019, but that collapsed when Ron Burkle, a key investor, backed out. Sacramento was already more than ready: the 20th largest TV market, bigger than ten current club markets, and number one in the US, making it the biggest non-MLS market in the country. Republic sold over 11,000 season tickets before ground was broken at the Railyards.

The new Railyards Stadium is 100% privately funded by Wilton Rancheria, a Native American tribe that brings in around $500 million per year in revenue. No taxpayer money drama. No political circus. This would be the first Native American Tribe to own a men’s professional team, which would be a monumental step for indigenous representation.

However, we’ve been here before. In 2014, the MLS promised Sacramento a future. In 2019, plans were made again, but failed. Well, Sacramento is finally here and ready, no excuses. It’s time to give Sacramento soccer fans what they deserve: an MLS team to satisfy the need of our storied soccer valley.