Lopez appeared in all 17 of Celaya’s contests in the Apertura, including 16 starts. Playing in a deeper role than he did while starring in the USL for both Sacramento and Orange County, the 29-year-old is enjoying adding to his game with the help of Coach Gustavo Díaz. Celaya conceded only 13 goals in the Apertura, the fewest goals against in the league, as Lopez has added new facets to his game.

“It’s one part of my game that I really needed to work on that I did with Preki a lot, and now I’m adding more to it, so I feel like I’m more of a complete player now,” Lopez said. “I’m helping my team out a lot more playing that defensive role, and obviously it’s showing. We’re the best defensive team, and we’re the best attacking team and ended in first place, so something’s working, and I’m enjoying it just as much as when I’m scoring. As long as the team wins, that’s the important thing to me.”

Lopez’s departure last offseason, along with others, brought a new feel to Republic FC this season. Having claimed USL Cup Final MVP honors while with the club, though, he still has great memories of the support he and the side received during his time in Sacramento, and was happy that the new faces maintained the tradition of success at the club.

“Coach [Paul] Buckle has done a great job bringing in players and keeping that winning mentality in the club,” said Lopez. “They fell short, but I thought they did a very good job this year. They started out a little slow, but they picked things up and ended up where they wanted to end up in the standings at the end of the regular season, just fell a little bit short in PKs against OC Blues.”