Republic FC adds defender Ryan Spaulding ahead of 2025 season

Jan 9, 2025, 7:15 AM

CHESTER, PA - JULY 17: New England Revolution defender Ryan Spaulding (34) looks on during the game...

(Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

This release is courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC Communications

Sacramento Republic FC announced today that the club has signed defender Ryan Spaulding ahead of the 2025 season. He will be added to the club’s roster pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Ryan is great addition to our left side,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He’s bringing a wealth of experience across various levels of American soccer, and we’re confident he will be an excellent fit in Sacramento.”

Spaulding has previously featured in USL Championship with Tampa Bay Rowdies on loan from MLS side New England Revolution. In 2023 under recently appointed Republic FC Head Coach Neill Collins, the veteran defender made nine appearances for the Florida club. He scored two goals and recorded an assist in four consecutive matches to earn two Team of the Week selections and a Player of the Month nomination. He would return to the Rowdies for a short-term loan in 2024.

New defender has entered the chat 📲

The club has signed defender Ryan Spaulding ahead of the 2025 season. Welcome to Sacramento, Ryan!

🔗 https://t.co/0O92htiJgo pic.twitter.com/KGBoTYfnkO

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) January 7, 2025

The 26-year-old first joined New England Revolution in 2020 as a part of the inaugural Revolution II roster and would go on to make 53 appearances across three seasons in USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro. In 2022, he was elevated to the first team and signed a new contract with the Revolution and made 36 total appearances in MLS, Leagues Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and the U.S. Open Cup.

Spaulding played collegiately at UNC Charlotte, where he helped the 49ers win the 2016 Conference USA regular-season title and a national seed in the 2016 College Cup and earned All-Conference USA Freshman Team honors. As a sophomore, he featured for North Carolina FC U23 of USL League Two and led the team with five goals, before signing his first professional contract with third division French side Stade Briochin in 2018. He would later return stateside to join North Carolina FC in September 2019.

Republic FC will open the 2025 USL Championship season with a home contest against the 2024 Western Conference regular season winner New Mexico United on Saturday, March 8.

More Sacramento Republic FC coverage from Sactown Sports

Sacramento Republic FC announced today that Neill Collins has been named as the Indomitable Club’s fifth head coach and is set to lead the club beginning with the 2025 season. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are delighted to welcome Neill and his family to Sacramento,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “His history of success in USL, combined with a steady demeanor and well-respected reputation, align with our pursuit of championship hardware. Neill is a proven winner, a fantastic leader, and we have no doubts he is the right man to lead our club forward.”

“I first of all would like to thank Todd and Kevin for this fantastic opportunity to join Sacramento Republic. I aim to repay that faith by working hard every day to bring success to for everyone associated with the club,” said newly appointed Head Coach Neill Collins. “Sacramento have been one of the most consistently successful teams in the USL for the past few years and I can’t wait to help build on that platform. I am well aware that Sacramento Republic is more than just what happens on the pitch and I look forward to being part of the community and creating special memories for our fans.”