Carmichael Dave: Glory Glory Sac Republic!!!

This was the type of evening all of us sports "pushers" were talking about.

With the fight for the Kings, and the rise of Sac Republic FC as a force in the local sports scene, beyond the actual games- proponents really just wanted more things to do in Sacramento on a weekend. Saturday night, it all came together.

Some background- I do the color commentating for the Republic radio broadcasts. For the very first time, I decided to take the wife and kids and let them enjoy the festivities. And yes, it was a festival atmosphere.

Red sky, some much needed sprinkles of rain, 70-something degrees, and a crowd that was bonkers from the get go. Unfortunately for the lathered up crowd, the LA Galaxy 2 were not amused, as they dropped two goals on the home team from the start.

I could do a complete game recap, but that's not what this article is all about. The crowd watched helplessly as the clock ran down in the second half, and with it the Republic's chances of advancing to the USL Pro finals (and hosting the title game). But fate would smile on this team, and on this city, as it has so many times over the last few months.

The team captain, Rodrigo Lopez, knocked in two separate penalty kicks to knot the game at 2. And then, as everyone was scrambling to figure out the rules of overtime, this happened:

And with that, there will be a championship game this Saturday.

For my entire life living in Sacramento, I've watched as every break went against us. I still haven't gotten used to the process reversing itself, but being on the doorstep of not one, but two new venues downtown? Its a feeling a lot of us could get used to.

I.

I believe.

I believe that we will win.