Sacramento Republic leaves field in 66th minute of friendly

Sacramento Republic FC, a member of the USL and an MLS expansion candidate, forfeited a friendly against NCAA team UC Davis on Sunday when Republic coach Preki pulled his team off the field in the 66th minute due to concerns about the physicality of the match.

Sacramento Republic FC, a member of the USL and an MLS expansion candidate, forfeited a friendly against NCAA team UC Davis on Sunday when Republic coach Preki pulled his team off the field in the 66th minute due to concerns about the physicality of the match.

Sacramento's James Kiffe was shown a red card for a hard tackle on UC Davis's Noah Wilson in the 65th minute.

TheSacramento Bee reported that the tackle on Wilson spurred a shoving match between the two sides, and the referee proceeded to show Kiffe a red card. 

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There were four yellow cards issued to UC Davis and two to the Republic, according to the Bee. A Republic assistant coach also reportedly confronted a UC Davis player as the teams exited the field at halftime. 

Sacramento is a candidate to be granted an MLS expansion franchise, Sports Illustrated's Brian Straus reported last week. Minnesota United is expected to receive an expansion bid, with Sacramento competing with David Beckham's Miami ownership group for a second bid, Straus reported.

MLS commissioner Don Garber is expected to announce a winner before the end of April. 

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