Republic FC add piece to midfield — sign Jure Matjašič

Sacramento Republic FC announced earlier today that they had signed midfielder Jure Matjašič to a contract for the 2018 season, which includes a club option for 2019. Matjašič comes directly from NK Domzale in Slovenia’s first-division league, PrvaLiga, where he tallied two goals and three assists in 32 appearances.

How will manager Simon Elliott fold Matjašič in? It’s hard to know for sure, but with Jeremy Hall, Adam Moffat, Keven Alemán, Luis Espino, Villyan Bijev, Jamie Villarrreal and Roberto Hategan already in place, it’s not like the Club is lacking depth at midfield.

That said, the Slovenia-born Matjašič represented his national team (and earned a cap) two years ago in a friendly against Turkey, so clearly he can play and has experience playing at a very high-level. Furthermore, why would Republic general manager Todd Dunivant bring in a player of that caliber just to have him sit?

Given that logic and what we know (which is not a lot), my hunch is that Matjašič could see action as early as this Saturday as a substitute, with a more prominent role moving forward. He can apparently play on either wing, so that gives Elliott options to fold him in.

I guess we’ll soon find out. Republic return to action this Saturday, April 7 when they host Seattle Sounders 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park.