All three Sacramento Republic FC Academy teams—which compete at the U-13/14, U-14/16 and U-17/18 age groups respectively—headed to Frisco, Texas, for the U.S. Development Academy Playoffs and National Showcase after a stellar inaugural season in the Western Conference Northwest Division.
The events ran from June 20 through June 26, with the Republic FC U-17/18s clinching a spot in the first knockout round of the U.S. Development Academy playoffs after topping their group while both the U-15/16 and U-13/14 teams put on strong performances in their inaugural postseason.
“It was a fantastic week for us,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “When we go to our pillars, we accomplished a lot of things with player development, getting players seen by youth national teams and colleges, and trying to win games within the development structure without winning being the sole focal point.”
Both the U-17-18s and U-15/16s qualified for the group stage of playoffs, while the U-13/14s headed to the National Showcase due to the fact that there are no playoffs for the youngest age group in the U.S. Development Academy.
For their part, the Republic FC Academy U-13/14s, who finished their regular season with a 19-4-2 record, traveled to Frisco to compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Showcase. The team won their first match against Crew SC Academy Wolves 3-1, with a brace from Scott Nicholson and a third goal by Mario Penagos.
In their second match, Republic FC U-13/14s faced their New York City FC counterparts in a Featured Game that was streamed live on YouTube. Republic FC went down 5-0 in the first half but an inspired second half performance from Roberto Hategan saw the team cut the deficit to 5-3, but could not find two more goals to tie the match. The last match of the showcase for the U-13/14s ended in 1-2 defeat to Georgia United.
“It was harder for the older guys to see the 14s play just because of schedules, but when it came to the last game for the 14s, the [older] guys we’re like ‘We got to go.’ And to see the guys cheering on the younger players and then when they scored and all celebrated together was really special,” said Underwood.
Republic FC’s Academy has broken expectations for a first-year program all season long, with the U-17/18s finishing second during the regular season in a tough Northwest Division that featured four MLS Academies, including Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Residential Academy and the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
In the U-15/16s group, Republic FC U-15/16s faced Real So Cal, Montreal Impact FC and Crew SC Academy Wolves. Republic FC dropped their first match to Crew SC Academy Wolves, but recovered to defeat Montreal Impact FC 2-0 with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr. and Oscar Govea. In their last match, Republic FC tied 1-1 with eventual group winners Real So Cal. While the U-15/16s did not advance to the knockout stage, they finished second in their group, an impressive feat for a first-year team.
In the group stages, Republic FC U-17/18s also faced a tough test, with their group featuring the fourth highest ranked team in the country in their age division, the New York Redbulls Academy.
In their first match of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, the U-7/18s faced their Sockers FC counterparts in a thrilling 3-2 win. Sockers FC broke the deadlock in the 47th minute but Republic FC U-17/18s midfielder Ryley Kraft found the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Sockers FC went up 2-1 in the 66th minute, but Kraft completed his brace in the 74th minute to restore the balance to the scoreline. In the 90th minute, midfielder Alexis Vazquez score the match winning victory to snatch three points for Republic FC.
The U-17/18s went on to tie against the New York Redbulls U-17/18s and defeating Pateadores U-17/18s with 4-2 final scoreline, clinching the top spot in the group and sending Republic FC’s U-17/18s into the knockout rounds. The Republic FC U-17/18s will travel to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18s on July 7 for their quarterfinals match.
“It was just a great environment overall. It’s a nice way for us to bring everyone together,” said Underwood about the experience. “And now our next steps are…building the teams and making the right choices for next season.”
Republic FC’s Academy will expand for the 2016-2017 season to six teams, including two U-12 teams and a U-13 team in addition to the U-14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams. The 2016-2017 season will kick off on September 2, 2016.
All three Sacramento Republic FC Academy teams—which compete at the U-13/14, U-14/16 and U-17/18 age groups respectively—headed to Frisco, Texas, for the U.S. Development Academy Playoffs and National Showcase after a stellar inaugural season in the Western Conference Northwest Division.
The events ran from June 20 through June 26, with the Republic FC U-17/18s clinching a spot in the first knockout round of the U.S. Development Academy playoffs after topping their group while both the U-15/16 and U-13/14 teams put on strong performances in their inaugural postseason.
“It was a fantastic week for us,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “When we go to our pillars, we accomplished a lot of things with player development, getting players seen by youth national teams and colleges, and trying to win games within the development structure without winning being the sole focal point.”
Both the U-17-18s and U-15/16s qualified for the group stage of playoffs, while the U-13/14s headed to the National Showcase due to the fact that there are no playoffs for the youngest age group in the U.S. Development Academy.
For their part, the Republic FC Academy U-13/14s, who finished their regular season with a 19-4-2 record, traveled to Frisco to compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Showcase. The team won their first match against Crew SC Academy Wolves 3-1, with a brace from Scott Nicholson and a third goal by Mario Penagos.
In their second match, Republic FC U-13/14s faced their New York City FC counterparts in a Featured Game that was streamed live on YouTube. Republic FC went down 5-0 in the first half but an inspired second half performance from Roberto Hategan saw the team cut the deficit to 5-3, but could not find two more goals to tie the match. The last match of the showcase for the U-13/14s ended in 1-2 defeat to Georgia United.
“It was harder for the older guys to see the 14s play just because of schedules, but when it came to the last game for the 14s, the [older] guys we’re like ‘We got to go.’ And to see the guys cheering on the younger players and then when they scored and all celebrated together was really special,” said Underwood.
Republic FC’s Academy has broken expectations for a first-year program all season long, with the U-17/18s finishing second during the regular season in a tough Northwest Division that featured four MLS Academies, including Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Residential Academy and the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
In the U-15/16s group, Republic FC U-15/16s faced Real So Cal, Montreal Impact FC and Crew SC Academy Wolves. Republic FC dropped their first match to Crew SC Academy Wolves, but recovered to defeat Montreal Impact FC 2-0 with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr. and Oscar Govea. In their last match, Republic FC tied 1-1 with eventual group winners Real So Cal. While the U-15/16s did not advance to the knockout stage, they finished second in their group, an impressive feat for a first-year team.
In the group stages, Republic FC U-17/18s also faced a tough test, with their group featuring the fourth highest ranked team in the country in their age division, the New York Redbulls Academy.
In their first match of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, the U-7/18s faced their Sockers FC counterparts in a thrilling 3-2 win. Sockers FC broke the deadlock in the 47th minute but Republic FC U-17/18s midfielder Ryley Kraft found the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Sockers FC went up 2-1 in the 66th minute, but Kraft completed his brace in the 74th minute to restore the balance to the scoreline. In the 90th minute, midfielder Alexis Vazquez score the match winning victory to snatch three points for Republic FC.
The U-17/18s went on to tie against the New York Redbulls U-17/18s and defeating Pateadores U-17/18s with 4-2 final scoreline, clinching the top spot in the group and sending Republic FC’s U-17/18s into the knockout rounds. The Republic FC U-17/18s will travel to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18s on July 7 for their quarterfinals match.
“It was just a great environment overall. It’s a nice way for us to bring everyone together,” said Underwood about the experience. “And now our next steps are…building the teams and making the right choices for next season.”
Republic FC’s Academy will expand for the 2016-2017 season to six teams, including two U-12 teams and a U-13 team in addition to the U-14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams. The 2016-2017 season will kick off on September 2, 2016.
