SAN JOSE, Calif. -
The teams won’t act like kissing cousins on the field, but there are plenty of “family” ties between the Earthquakes and affiliate Sacramento Republic FC.
In fact, Republic coach Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic will see some familiar faces on the Earthquakes when the teams meet in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night at Avaya Stadium.
- TICKETS:Quakes vs. Sac Republic FC
Forward Adam Jahn, a Davis native and former Stanford star, scored seven goals in 22 games on loan with the Republic in 2014, including making 18 starts.
Moreover, Mike Fucito, JJ Koval and Tommy Thompson all have had productive stints with the Republic, which won the USL Pro Division championship in its 2014 maiden voyage.
Preki, an indoor soccer maestro with the old San Jose Grizzlies in 1994-95, describes his ex-players who are now with the Quakes as “good pros,” and says he “appreciated their help.”
Now he’s going to try to beat them.
“It should be a fun game for our team,” Preki said. “We always want to play against good competition, and San Jose is a good team, obviously an MLS team. Our guys should be very excited to play in a proper stadium, and hopefully in front of a decent crowd. We hope to show well in the game.”
In 2014, the Quakes bounced the Republic from the Open Cup 2-1 on goals by Khari Stephenson and Cordell Cato at famed Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
The Quakes also bested the Republic 1-0 in the 2015 preseason on a goal by Matias Perez Garcia at Bonney Field in Sacramento.
Jahn has close ties with both clubs. His sister, Erica, works in the Republic front office, and the Jahn family is an active part of the Sacramento soccer community.
Jahn played 80 minutes in the Republic’s historic 2-0 win over Harrisburg City (Pa.) Islanders in the U.S. Pro championship game in September at Bonney Field. Jahn also holds the distinction of scoring the first goal in Republic history against the same Harrisburg City squad last April.
“Adam Jahn is a good player, so we appreciated him coming over here doing good work with us,” Preki said. “But at the moment Adam is their property. We’re looking forward to seeing him, and we’re looking forward to competing with him as well.”
Current Republic attacker Cameron Iwasa, a Sacramento native, and Jahn are graduates of Jesuit High School in Carmichael.
Preki describes Iwasa, a Mac Hermann Trophy semifinalist with UC Irvine, as a talented young player with a bright future if he’s willing to put in the work. Republic fans have already seen just how strong Iwasa is on the ball.
Thompson, Sacramento’s favorite soccer son and the Quakes’ first Homegrown signing, played in nine games for the Republic last season, including making a favorable impression in back-to-back friendlies against EPL club West Bromwich Albion at Bonney Field.
Fucito played on Sacramento’s first team, scoring against Chivas USA and teaming well up top with Justin Braun. Fucito had two goals and an assist with the Republic in 2014, including scoring the winner in the 84th minute against the Colorado Rapids reserves in Sacramento’s debut at Bonney Field.
During his illustrious playing career, Preki helped the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) win the 2000 MLS Cup and 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup; made 28 international appearances with the USMNT; and played for Everton and Portsmouth of the EPL.
Preki has fond memories of his time playing in the South Bay, which has a rich soccer history.
“Always, always a knowledgeable crowd. Always well-supported,” he said. “It should be fun to play in San Jose"
