Sacramento Republic FC Feature
Monday, December 16, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- From December 9-11, Sacramento Republic FC hosted an invitation-only combine for college players to tryout as the search continues to build the 2014 Sacramento Republic FC inaugural team. Sacramento Republic FC will host one more Open Tryout January 18-19 prior to the 2014 season.
Before he dashed away for the holidays, Graham Smith called in for an on-the-road Q&A following the combine.
Q: How many players were invited to attend the combine?
A: Thirty two college seniors or recent graduates from various parts of the world and the U.S. attended the combine. All of the players invited want to make football their career. The boys stayed in Davis for three nights and they trained twice a day from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. so we gave them a 2 1/2 day intensive assessment with a view to seeing whether or not they were capable of coming back to the combine we are doing in January.
Q: Who was part of the observation and assessment team?
A: The assessment was conducted under the watchful eyes of Preki. He did the most active coaching along with several other coaches from the Sacramento area. Other coaches from the players’ schools and locations attended to observe as well.
Q: How many states and countries were represented at the combine?
A: Among the states represented at the Combine were Texas, California, Sinaloa Mexico, Utah, North Carolina, South Carolina, United Kingdom and Wales.
Q: The combine was held at Davis Legacy, the same location as the open tryouts. What types of assessments were conducted?
A: It was a good 2 1/2 days. The fields at Davis are so good, the cold weather did not seem to impact the quality of play during the combine. It was completely mixed in terms of the activities. Everyone received individual assessments as well as team-play assessments. In addition to passing and technical ability, we looked at the players in game situations and tactical situations.
Q: What made this combine different than an open tryout?
A: The biggest difference between the combine and the open tryouts was that the players have played at a higher level; they are fitter. We also have opportunity now once the waiver draft occurs to recruit some major league players.
Q: Did the combine result in any player signings?
A: Two potential signings came out of the combine event. Hopefully we will be able to announce those players sometime this month. Six of the players have been invited to the next combine the week of January 20-24. Players who are selected from the 18-19 tryout have the potential to stay on for a more intensive assessment during the combine.
Q: What does the timing look like regarding the team formation?
A: We’re all pleased with the way things are falling into place. But there’s still a lot to do before we reach the first kick-off of the season. It’s getting more intense now and after the January assessment week, we will be entering a time of serious preparation that will kick off the end of the first week of February.
The January combine follows the final open tryout (January 18-19) before the inaugural season kicks off. There is still opportunity to sign up for the final open tryout, however, sign up quickly or notify anyone interested in participating that spots will fill up quickly.