Sacramento Republic FC technical director Graham Smith has stepped down for the USL side, a club that is one of 12 groups in the running to secure one of four MLS expansion franchises.

Smith has overseen the roster construction of Sacramento's first-team since the club launched in 2014 and won the USL PRO title during their inaugural season.

Breaking News: Graham Smith Resigns Position at Sacramento Republic FC. Read More>> https://t.co/MN69EduxYU pic.twitter.com/xgnpDImO4O — Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) November 18, 2017

After helping build a club that reached the playoffs in all four of its seasons, the now 70-year-old Smith expressed his gratitude for his time at the club and belief in its bright future.

“I feel very privileged to have spent the past five years working with a tremendous group of individuals who forged Republic FC into a wonderful football club that is now MLS-ready,” Smith said. “I am grateful to [team president] Warren Smith and those early pioneers who worked assiduously to build this organization from the outset. And now under the astute stewardship of Kevin Nagle, I sincerely believe that the fans of Sacramento have their best days in football ahead of them. Thank you to the club, its fans and this community for all the memories.”