11 Things Newcastle Fans Need To Know About Sacramento Republic

10. Sacramento Finished Second In The USL Regular Season... But Became Champions Via The Play-Offs In Their Debut Campaign

Incredibly, despite having been in existence for just one year, Sacramento Republic have already claimed their first silverware - after lifting the United Soccer League (USL) title during their debut season. The USL is considered to be the "Division III" of football in America, below both Major League Soccer (Division I) and the North American Soccer League (Division II), and it was only formed in 2011 - yet it is still some achievement for a side during their opening campaign to claim the title. After finishing second during the regular season - with 17 wins, four "ties" (draws) and seven losses from their 28 games - on 55 points, seven behind leaders Orlando City, Sacramento then claimed victory in the play-offs and lifted the end-of-season trophy. How do the Republic top that going forward? Newcastle, meanwhile, haven't lifted a major trophy since 1969, a domestic trophy since 1955, or a league title since 1927...