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SANDY — When Justin Braun was released by Toronto FC following last season and no one in Major League Soccer picked him up, the 27-year-old Skyline High graduate wasn’t sure where to go.
Then a phone call from a former coach and American soccer legend brought him back.
Braun resurrected his career with former Chivas USA coach Preki and third-division Sacramento Republic FC, and the former Real Salt Lake striker will return to Rio Tinto Stadium for a Tuesday night friendly at 7:30 p.m. MDT against his former club, and fresh off a USL Pro championship.
“He’s a difference maker in my decision because he’s the guy who gave me a start in MLS,” said Braun, who played six seasons in MLS with Chivas, Montreal, Salt Lake and Toronto. “But from day one, I got the feeling that this club was doing things right. It’s very professional, and you feel as though you are in MLS. I’m very happy with my decision, and things turned out well here.”
Preki and the rest of the Republic FC coaching staff were a driving force in the club’s recent championship, Braun said. Players just want to play well for Preki, including the Salt Lake native who joined Chivas in 2008 after a tryout while playing for local amateur team Olympique Montreux.
“Personally, I feel Preki has a way of getting the best out of every player,” Braun said. “He sees how he is going to help their team succeed. I think he’s shown that from our time at Chivas until now, and I think he has the same mentality.”
Braun, who finished Sacramento’s inaugural season tied for second on the team with six goals and an assist while starting 18 of his 21 games played, added the community support showed to Republic FC helped the team jump into USL Pro play with the best possible outcome. Sacramento shattered attendance records in the league, selling out nearly every match at 8,000-seat Bonney Field, and continuously lobbied for inclusion into recent Major League Soccer expansion discussions.
The former Salt Lake Community College standout and his teammates know the club is in ongoing talks with MLS, and could make plans to join the league within a few years. But right now, their focus is on getting better in the offseason and preparing to retain their title.
“I think we want an even better year than this year,” Braun said. “We just need to focus on coming back next year, putting this year in the past, and not focusing too much on it.
“I think this club has potential to have many more and have more success, whether it’s in USL or going to MLS. I think the city and the organization itself will be very successful in the coming years, both on and off the field.”
That preparation starts Tuesday night in Sandy, barely three days removed from the 2-1 championship-match win over Harrisburg. For Braun, it’s also a homecoming — his family still lives in Salt Lake City, and he’ll have a large contingent waiting for him at Rio Tinto Stadium.
“Throughout my career, I really got excited to come home and play in front of my friends and family and against a team that I grew up hoping to play for and against,” Braun said. “It’s definitely special every time I come here. Hopefully we come in and play well, and give the crowd a good game.”
Sacramento’s postseason as USL Pro champs starts with Tuesday’s friendly. For Braun, it’s a chance to see his old family — and show off the team belonging to his new family of supporters in California’s capital city.
“The support this city has given the club is remarkable, and I don’t think anyone expected the passion,” Braun said. “You walk all over the city, and you see people wearing Republic gear and fan scarves. You don’t see that in a lot of MLS cities you go to.”
Contributing: Dave McCann
