Sports

Will Sacramento Republic F.C. Help Bring MLS Soccer to Elk Grove?

A claimed 14,000 people bought tickets to a pair of exhibition soccer matches held Thursday in West Sacramento.

On Thursday, more than 14,000 tickets were sold for a pair of soccer matches at Raley Field in West Sacramento.

The event pitted two international teams against each other, but also saw the unveiling of the name and colors for Sacramento's new United Soccer League team: Sacramento Republic F.C.

The event shows Sacramento loves soccer and could support a Major League Soccer team in Elk Grove, Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis said in a press release Friday.

"I am excited about the prospect of the Sacramento Republic Division III USL team feeding into a Division I MLS team in Elk Grove," the press release quoted Davis as saying. "Get ready Sacramento. Professional soccer is here to stay!"

A city-commissioned study earlier this year said a Major League Soccer team could thrive in Elk Grove if the city built the stadium; the city is now looking for land where one could be constructed. Davis' press release said the city is also negotiating a term sheet, which would lay out the financing for a stadium.

Sacramento Bee columnist Marcos Breton argued last week that Sacramento could be home to a Major League Soccer team, but Davis brushed that off and said Elk Grove would be a better location for one.

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What do you think? Will (or should) a Major League Soccer team come to Elk Grove?

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