Republic FC Leads USL Clubs with Four Selections to League’s Front Office Starting XI

February 2, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release

On Friday, the USL Championship announced the 2023 Front Office Starting XI awards, recognizing clubs that delivered for their fans and communities, and set the standard for clubs across the USL ecosystem. The annual awards are voted on by club staff in various departments as well as league officials.

The Indomitable Club was nominated in 9 of the 11 categories and earned honors in four – more than any other club in the Championship.

“2023 was all about celebrating our 10th season as a club and Sacramento community, and these awards are a testament to the commitment and quality we strive for every day,” said Republic FC CEO and Owner Kevin Nagle. “We are incredibly proud of the hard work our entire team puts into every year and grateful for the fans and supporters that make us the best club in the league.”

Individual Nominations

Dustin Vicari, Chief Revenue Officer: Business Excellency Award (WINNER)

Heather Barone, Director of Partnership Activation: Corporate Sales Award

Michael Donato, Director of Ticket Sales & Service: Ticketing Award

Sara Castillo, Human Resources Director: Human Resources Award

Wendy Kosterman, Marketing Manager: Consumer Products Award

Department Nominations

Community Relations Award (WINNER)

Marketing Award (WINNER)

Digital Award – Website & App (WINNER)

PR/Communications Award

This is the second year in a row that Republic FC has led USL clubs in Starting XI nominations, with back-to-back nominations in six categories. Last year, the club took home awards in PR/Communications and Digital.

Chief Revenue Officer Dustin Vicari and Director of Ticket Sales & Service Michael Donato led the Ticket Sales and Partnerships departments to reach new heights in 2023, consistently among the league’s leaders in ticket sales, partnership revenue, and match attendance. In August, 20,000 fans came out for the club’s 10th Season Celebration Match at the site of the first-ever home matches, just as they did back in 2014, selling out each match at Hughes Stadium. Fans showed out in record numbers with over 250,000 guests attending home matches, including five-straight weekend sellouts to close out the year.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the club teamed up with Western Health Advantage to add a 988 patch to all player-worn and retail kits, driving awareness for the national suicide prevention lifeline and destigmatizing conversations around mental health….