January 24, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Today, The United Soccer League (USL) announced that Republic FC will participate in the league’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program: USL Forward. The multi-dimensional, leaguewide initiative focuses on professional development for technical staff, league and club executives, and local communities with the intention of increasing racial and gender diversity in leadership roles throughout the USL ecosystem.
“The development of the next generation of coaches is vital to the growth of the USL and soccer in America,” said Paul McDonough, USL President and Chief Soccer Officer. “To make progress in this area, up-and-coming coaches of all backgrounds need opportunities to gain expertise and experience at higher levels. USL Forward represents our commitment to expanding those opportunities for coaches in the USL ecosystem and having a real and long-term impact on coaching in our country.”
“USL Forward represents a bold and necessary step towards progress for our ecosystem, and the broader soccer landscape,” USL Vice President of DEI and Community Impact. “Building this platform along with its associated initiatives to drive diversity and equity has been a rewarding exercise in collaboration, and ultimately demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work from an ethos of shared understanding. I am confident that USL Forward’s initiatives such as the Pro Preseason Residency program, our Coaching Diversity Scholarships, and future endeavors will result in the type of systemic transformation that needs to happen to work with intent towards continuous improvement while simultaneously sustaining a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive ecosystem.”
In February, Republic FC will host Lekeisha Gumbs through the USL Pro Preseason Residency (PPR) Program. In its pilot year, the PPR Program is designed to identify high-performing, pro-aspiring BIPOC and women coaches and place them in a professional environment with an established curriculum. Gumbs is the head coach of the USL W League’s Chicago City SC and is currently a UEFA A License candidate. She guided Chicago to the 2023 USL W League Playoffs in her first season as head coach. In Sacramento, she will receive an immersive experience and real-world training and mentoring as she is embedded into Republic FC’s training environment as a resident coach.
“I am excited to be part of the pilot year of the USL Pro…