Wildly Inaccurate and Definitely Not Reckless: Our 2026 Republic Predictions
Before every season begins, fans all around the USL are filled with hope, optimism, and at least one wildly confident prediction that will age terribly by early summer.
The Quail City Soccer crew gathered to make our official predictions for the upcoming Republic season—from Golden Quail winners to the player most likely to play approximately 4,300 minutes because resting is apparently illegal.
These aren’t awards that exist (yet), but they absolutely should. At the end of the season, we’ll revisit these takes and determine who among us can see the future is a genius… and who owes everyone else in the group tacos.
Voting for these awards is the Quail City Soccer staff—which includes the following folks:
- Ryan Hodek, Editor
- Ryan Townsend, Host of The Quail Call
- Daniel Tyree, Lead Photographer
- Rachael, Assistant Editor & Producer of The Quail Call
- Valor Nash, Tactical Analysis
- Alex Tasker , Host of Full 90
The MVQ (Most Valuable Quail) Award
Team MVQ — The Player Who Carries the Flock
The player Republic simply cannot function without — the one whose absence is immediately noticeable somewhere between kickoff and the first collective panic in the stands.
Most Votes: Danny Vitiello (Voted by Valor, Alex, Ryan H.)
Honorable Mentions: Mark-Anthony Kaye (Daniel, Ryan T.), Lee Desmond (Rachael)
Thoughts: Danny Vitiello takes this one in our pre-season voting—arguably the best goalkeeper in the league over the past four years, Vitiello has regularly and consistently bailed Republic out of bad situations. Other vote-getters include former MLS player Mark-Anthony Kaye and Republic Captain Lee Desmond.
The Iron Quail Award
Most Minutes Played
For the player who apparently does not experience fatigue, rotation, or human limitations.
Most Votes: Danny Vitiello (Voted by Ryan T., Rachael, Ryan H., Valor)
Honorable Mentions: Jack Gurr (Valor), Memo Rodriguez (Alex), Michelle Benítez (Ryan T.), Crisostomo (Rachael)
Thoughts: Really, I should have seen this coming when I asked this to the group. Vitiello easy led the team in minutes last season in USL-C play with 314 minutes played more than the next player. The real interesting question at the end of the season will be which of these Honorable Mentions take second place.
The Tower Bridge Wall Award
Best Defender
The Republic defender who turns opposing attacks into mild inconveniences and clears approximately 47 crosses per match without breaking a sweat.
Most Votes: Freddy Kleemann (Voted by Valor, Dan, Rachael, Ryan H.)
Honorable Mentions: Lee Desmond (Alex, Ryan T.)
Thoughts: Freddy Kleemann joined Republic last season and instantly slotted in to the most central centerback position in Republic’s back five, a defensive group that quickly became one of the best in the league. We expect he’ll put up similar numbers this year, though team captain Lee Desmond isn’t far behind.
The Golden Feather Award
Most Assists
The player whose vision turns half-chances into highlights and good attacks into goals -providing the perfectly weighted setup that makes scoring look easy (even when it absolutely wasn’t).
Most Votes: Jack Gurr (Voted by Valor, Ryan H.)
Honorable Mentions: Mark-Anthony Kaye (Alex, Rachael), Arturo (Ryan T.), Pep Casas (Dan)
Thoughts: Jack Gurr led all USL-C fullbacks last year in chances created. The issue was, no one was there to get on the end of those chances. With a retooled midfield and an attacking force that is both taller and more aggressive, Gurr’s created chances should finally be turned into goals. Also getting votes were midfield new arrivals Kaye, Arturo, and Casas, who will look to set up goal chances from the middle of the field.
The Golden Quail Award
Top Goal Scorer
The player most responsible for making the scoreboard operator earn their paycheck and convincing us every shot from 25 yards is a good idea..
Most Votes: Mayele Malango (Voted by Valor, Alex, Dan, Rae, Ryan H.)
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Edwards (Ryan T.)
Thoughts: I think all of us were impressed by Malango’s hat-trick in the pre-season. The Malawi international look composed and clinical on each goal, sending defenders spinning as he drove at them from the left side of the pitch. Also getting a vote is Kyle Edwards—the ex-Hartford man will be looking to put his goal scoring acumen to work as a starter after being a super-sub last season.
The Hot Takes
And finally, no prediction article would be complete without a few hot takes, so here’s one or two from each of us—both the good and the bad.
Alex Tasker
Good: Republic WILL win silverware this year. The talent is there, and a new midfield matches up with what Collins wants to do on the attack. Strong defense is already there - just need to convert.
Bad: Republic will bow out of the US Open Cup early. Based on the team that took the pitch against the Earthquakes in San Jose last year, I don’t believe Collins places as much of an importance on this competition, compared to the long term goals in USL-C and the USL Cup
Valor Nash
Good: Republic score the most goals in USL-C play in their history - easily surpassing the previous highs of 51 (2024) and 50 (2019). The new look midfield and offense is built to consistently put the ball in the back of the net. We might even score off a corner this year!
Bad: Republic don’t get out of their USL Cup group - with 6 teams in the group and only one advancement spot, Republic bow out in the group stage. Collins puts more focus on the league and heavily rotates in cup games.
Daniel Tyree
Good: Republic will score more than 5 set-piece (and non-penalty) goals this season.
Ice Cold Take: Brooklyn will take the league by storm and go undefeated.
Ryan Townsend
Good: The water slides get turned on during Summer 2026 and Republic win at least one playoff game at home.
Bad: We get knocked out of a cup on penalties, doing further damage to my psyche.
Rachael
Good: Republic make the USL-C Final and win the Tire (USL) Cup. Best season we’ve seen in some years, and the transition to the new stadium is momentous. Republic rallies around future development and the depth of the team to impact the sport in Sacramento for years to come.
Bad: Republic lose in the USL-C Final.
Ryan Hodek
Good: Republic will dominate in most goals scored and the least goals conceded. Revamped midfield with top talent and the best backline in the league will prove difficult to beat.
Bad: Republic won’t be competitive in Cup competition and at best will prioritize the USL Cup over the Open Cup. Instead, the league will be prioritized regardless how far we make it in either competition.
We’ll give all of these takes a revisit both mid-season and at the end of the year. But first, we want to hear from you! Who do you think will win each of these totally-real-and-not-made-up awards? And what is your spiciest hot take for the new season? Let us know in the comments below, or find us on social media and give us your thoughts!