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Dominik Jakubek, one of two goalkeepers for Sacramento Republic FC, makes a diving save on a shot during practice at Bonney Field. Jakubek joined the franchise as an original member in 2014. He was 34 years old when he was signed.

Dominik Jakubek, one of two goalkeepers for Sacramento Republic FC, makes a diving save on a shot during practice at Bonney Field. Jakubek joined the franchise as an original member in 2014. He was 34 years old when he was signed.

“Not a lot of guys my age are playing, but I love the game so much,” Jakubek says. After practice, he does some running. Jakubek takes his training seriously, which is one of the main reasons he’s able to play professionally at an age when others have since retired. With goalkeeping, so much of it is different than the other positions. You have to love your position,” he says.

“Not a lot of guys my age are playing, but I love the game so much,” Jakubek says. After practice, he does some running. Jakubek takes his training seriously, which is one of the main reasons he’s able to play professionally at an age when others have since retired. With goalkeeping, so much of it is different than the other positions. You have to love your position,” he says.

“You have to love to train.” You also have to love to dive, block, use your hands and do plays much different than the field players. In the off-season, Jakubek is an avid practitioner of pilates and yoga, and can be found playing midfielder in local men’s leagues, where he gets to “lay the punishment on the goalie, rather than be the one getting the punishment.”

“You have to love to train.” You also have to love to dive, block, use your hands and do plays much different than the field players. In the off-season, Jakubek is an avid practitioner of pilates and yoga, and can be found playing midfielder in local men’s leagues, where he gets to “lay the punishment on the goalie, rather than be the one getting the punishment.”

Sacramento Republic FC’s 21 players represent eight different countries — U.S., Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, England, Ireland, Mexico and Montenegro. Lodi-native and goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek’s journey to the Republic (pictured in a game against Real Monarchs SLC in July), is a bit unusual. Jakubek attended Chico State, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2003.

Sacramento Republic FC’s 21 players represent eight different countries — U.S., Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, England, Ireland, Mexico and Montenegro. Lodi-native and goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek’s journey to the Republic (pictured in a game against Real Monarchs SLC in July), is a bit unusual. Jakubek attended Chico State, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2003.

He then played in various clubs at different levels through the years, including for one season in Poland, where he had gone on vacation and ended up being signed by football club RKS Garbarnia in Kraków.

He then played in various clubs at different levels through the years, including for one season in Poland, where he had gone on vacation and ended up being signed by football club RKS Garbarnia in Kraków.

“It was total chance,” he says. By 2012, he was back in California and starting to hear rumblings that a professional soccer team was coming to Sacramento. The Republic FC won the United Soccer League championship during their inaugural season in 2014. “It was an amazing ride and it still is,” Jakubek says. “We want to win [the championship] again and that’s all we care about.”

“It was total chance,” he says. By 2012, he was back in California and starting to hear rumblings that a professional soccer team was coming to Sacramento. The Republic FC won the United Soccer League championship during their inaugural season in 2014. “It was an amazing ride and it still is,” Jakubek says. “We want to win [the championship] again and that’s all we care about.”

In The Penalty

Back SNAP Sep 2, 2016 By Sena Christian

 

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