According to multiple sources, a complaint has been filed with the U.S. Soccer Federation by the Sacramento Republic, which alleges that an employee of an MLS team spied on it.
Taylor Twellman was the first to report that the staffer was at the practice and that the U.S. Soccer Federation was aware of it.
A USSF film crew has video of the incident, and the Federation is looking into it, according to a spokesman.
The club has been made aware of the issue and is cooperating with the U.S. Soccer.
The Republic equipment manager recognized the staffer as having a connection to Oscar Pareja and asked him to leave multiple times. The staffer said he was there to meet his friend who was a coach. Republic staff went so far as to park two vans in front of the individual to obscure his view of training, only to have him move to another location before he could leave.
The club source said that there was no coordinated effort to have the individual observe training and that the staffer didn't report back with any information.
There is a public park in Winter Springs, Florida. The Republic was forced to train at the park because they couldn't find another place to practice at in order to get some privacy.
Even if the staffer's presence is confirmed, it's not clear what sanctions the USSF can impose. There is an Adjudication and Discipline Panel that deals with protests and general discipline.
Anyone can file a complaint with the Panel about the actions of an Open Cup team, individual, or group. The conduct complained of will be determined by the panel. The Panel will take action it deems appropriate in regards to anyone involved in the complaint.
The handbook states that the Panel can take any action it deems appropriate, including suspension or fine, for any matter considered by it. If a protest has been filed, the panel may only consider mandating a replay of the game.
Since 1999, only one non-MLS team has won the USOC trophy, when the Rochester Rhinos did it.
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