Republic FC sign keeper Thomas Olsen on loan

Late last week, Sacramento Republic FC announced that they had signed keeper Thomas Olsen on loan from Las Vegas Lights FC. Olsen replaces Rafael Diaz who sustained an injured in training and is expected to miss four-six weeks.

“Thomas is a welcome addition to reinforce our goalkeeping unit,” said Republic FC General Manager Todd Dunivant in a press release issued by the club. “We look forward to integrating him into the locker room and on the field.”

Drafted by Colorado Springs in the third round of the 2018 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Nevada-native Olsen joined Las Vegas Lights FC earlier this year and has been with them all season.

Prior to joining Lights FC, Olsen played for the University of San Diego where he logged 70 games in goal (second most in school history) and recorded 203 career saves (third most). Additionally, he was named to the All-West Coast Conference honors three times and was Freshman of the Year in 2014.

Olsen also earned a call up to the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team in 2015.

With Josh Cohen playing so well all season for the Quails, it will be interesting to see if and how Republic FC Manager Simon Elliott uses Olsen, but the club needed to back fill the position with Diaz sidelined. That said, it’s nice to have someone with the quality that Olsen has in the event he’s called upon.