September 6, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, U.S. Open Cup Finalists Republic FC and Orlando City SC came together off the pitch on Tuesday to make an impact in the community. Before they clash on the field tomorrow volunteers from both organizations worked together this morning to revitalize and plant pollinator gardens in Orlando’s Audubon Park.
Along with Orlando-based non-profits IDEAS for Us and Fleet Farming, participants spent the morning planting a native pollinator garden at Audubon Park Covenant Church in Orlando before heading out to work on smaller gardens throughout the neighborhood. The gardens will provide habitats for essential pollinator insects, which are a crucial part of the ecosystem and crop production.
“Community in so important to who we are as a club,” said Republic FC President & General Manager Todd Dunivant. “This was an opportunity to partner up with Orlando City SC. Unified Community is one of our main pillars, and that means looking out and protecting your neighbors, wherever you are.”
Tuesday’s service opportunity marked the first time that two U.S. Open Cup Finalists have worked together on a joint project ahead of the Final.
“This Final is something we’ve never experienced. Our entire Front Office is here in Orlando and we wanted to be impactful with our time,” said Republic FC Director of Community Investment Kevin Burdick. “So we reached out to Orlando City SC to see if they’d want to team up on a project and it was a resound yes. Addressing food insecurity is a big priority for them, so this was a great project to work on together.”
Republic FC and Orlando City SC will meet on the pitch in front of a sold out crowd at Exploria Stadium for the U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday night. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET and will be streaming live on ESPN+, as well as radio broadcast in English on Sactown Sports 1140 AM and in Spanish on La Ranchera 104.7 FM / 890 AM.
For Republic FC fans not making the trip to Orlando, the club and Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby are partnering with Kellogg’s and Downtown Sacramento Partnership to host a free Watch Party for the September 7 Final. The event will now be held at Sacramento’s SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in the main event hall on the first floor – showcasing the facility’s renovated spaces including Exhibit Halls B,C & D. Fans should use the 14th & J Street Entrance.
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