Republic FC Make Statement Signing with Mark-Anthony Kaye
Sacramento Republic FC didn’t just add another piece this week — they made a statement about who they intend to be.
The signing of MLS veteran, former All-Star, and Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye is not a move rooted in potential or projection. It’s a move built on proven quality, experience, and a clear understanding of what it takes to win at multiple levels of the game. For a Republic side entering 2026 with growing expectations, this is the kind of addition that shifts the conversation.
Kaye arrives in Sacramento with a résumé that stands out immediately. He was a central figure in LAFC’s 2019 Supporters’ Shield-winning side, a team that redefined attacking dominance in MLS at the time. Before that, he lifted a USL title with Louisville City, and on the international stage, he played a role in Canada’s rise, culminating in an appearance at the 2022 World Cup. Across more than 200 MLS appearances, he has consistently been trusted to control games from midfield, combining efficiency in possession with the ability to influence both sides of the ball.
Even in 2025, Kaye remained active at the MLS level, featuring in 30 matches for the San Jose Earthquakes. This is not a player stepping away from top-flight competition — it’s a player choosing a new challenge.
And that choice matters.
“When a player with Mark-Anthony’s experience and quality decides that this is where he wants to be, it validates everything we’re building,” Head Coach Neill Collins said in the club’s announcement.
It’s a telling quote, not just because of what it says about Kaye, but because of what it suggests about Sacramento’s trajectory. Players of this profile don’t make moves like this without believing in the direction of a club.
On the field, the fit is clear. Sacramento has not lacked control in recent seasons. They’ve often dictated possession, managed games well in stretches, and limited opponents effectively. What has been missing at times is the ability to translate that control into consistent, decisive outcomes. That’s where Kaye’s presence becomes significant.
He brings a level of composure and game management that is difficult to quantify but easy to recognize. There is a difference between having the ball and knowing what to do with it in critical moments. Kaye has built his career on understanding those moments — when to progress play, when to recycle possession, when to step forward and impose himself physically, and when to simply slow everything down.
That kind of influence doesn’t just improve a midfield. It stabilizes an entire team.
Beyond the technical and tactical impact, there is an element of leadership that Sacramento is clearly targeting with this move. Kaye has operated in winning environments, experienced playoff pressure, and competed on the international stage. Those experiences shape how a player approaches training, preparation, and the expectations placed on teammates. For a Republic squad that has retained much of its core but struggled to consistently meet its ceiling, adding that kind of presence could prove just as important as anything he contributes on matchday.
Kaye himself made his intentions clear. This isn’t a move about winding down a career or taking a step back. It’s about winning. About contributing to a team that believes it can compete for trophies and backing that belief with results.
There is also a broader message within this signing. Sacramento Republic FC are continuing to show a willingness to invest in established, high-level talent. This is not a club content with being competitive within the USL — it is a club positioning itself for something more. With the league evolving and the long-term vision of a Division One structure on the horizon, moves like this feel aligned with a bigger picture.
The expectations, as a result, change.
Mark-Anthony Kaye doesn’t arrive as a complementary piece. He arrives as someone expected to influence matches, elevate those around him, and help define what this Republic team becomes in 2026.
And if this signing is any indication, Sacramento isn’t waiting around to find out.
this is the signing we've been waiting for all offseason
This is a great signing, based upon what I’ve read and different forums. I would like to see another forward, signed.