Former Sacramento Republic defender Mitchell Taintor signs with San Antonio FC

One of the enduring questions many fans had heading into the 2020 Sacramento Republic FC season has been “Where is Mitch Taintor?” The center back, a fixture in the lineup the last two years, was absent from the team’s official preseason roster, which was a pretty good indication he was not going to be in Mark Briggs’ plans this year, but on Wednesday, confirmation came through that Taintor has signed for San Antonio FC for the upcoming campaign.

“I’m very excited,” said Taintor in a statement on SAFC’s website. “The opportunity came up, and I’m excited that this is the city and club that wanted to have me. This has always been one of my favorite places to play while I was in Sacramento. It’s a great group, I believe in what is going on here and I’m looking forward to a good year.”

So that mystery is solved, and it’s probably not to the liking of some fans, but that’s how the business goes sometimes.

More news for this Thursday:

• Hollingshead, future SRFC target? Ryan Hollingshead has carved out a very good career with FC Dallas, they like him, he likes being there, but the Sacramento native recently gushed about his hometown team in a recent profile on Soccer America. Just speculating here, but looks like he could be a future target when Sacramento join MLS in a couple years?
• Beer can art contest winner revealed: The winner of the 2020 Fan Can collaboration was revealed this week, as Republic FC fan Dustin Avilla created the art for a New Glory Craft Brewery beer can this week. You’ll be able to snag a can yourself (if you’re of age, of course) at New Glory Craft Brewery and Sac Republic home games during the 2020 season.

Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC.

• “I aimed to merge signature brand elements from both Sac Republic and New Glory in a way that created excitement and captured the club’s indomitable spirit. For New Glory, I incorporated the use of pattern and a repetition of the hops graphic – something that’s very signature to the original Ubahdank artwork,” said Avilla in a statement put out by the club. “Then pulling in the elements from Sac Republic – the bear front and center, the star from the crest, and a flying soccer ball to emphasize a sense of movement and energy throughout the design.”

Today’s question: Sac Republic are headed to San Jose Thursday afternoon for a friendly against the Quakes on Friday. What’s on your mind today? Let’s chat in the comments below!