Heading into the final stretch of their inaugural season, Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy is already paying off for the club. To-date, seven of the club’s youth players have received international call-ups from their respective national teams.
U-13/14s players Roberto Hategan and Graysen Garber received call-ups to the U.S. and Guam national teams, respectively, while U-15/16s players Mason Finnell and Shaft Brewer Jr. have also been called up to represent the United States. In the oldest age group, the U-17/18s David Burns and Nabilai Kibunguchy round out the U.S. National Team call-ups while Mackenzie Harrington has been called up to Canada.
“We’re excited for the players,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “We’re excited for the club on the recognition we are receiving from the U.S. national team.”
Republic FC’s success at the Academy level is only part of the greater and growing success of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program at large.
In MLS, homegrown Academy players like Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake) are making a splash in the league after graduating from their respective club’s Academy programs to their first teams.
Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic—who played with U.S. Soccer Development Academy PA Classics prior to joining powerhouse European club Borussia Dortmund—is off to a prolific start to his career. At just 17 years old, Pulisic is not only the youngest player to cap for the United States in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, he is also shining in the Bundesliga.
In April, Pulisic became the youngest non-German player to ever score in the league during the club’s 3–0 home win against Hamburger SV. Just days later, Pulisic became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score two goals in the league after scoring against VfB Stuttgart.
Also overseas, U.S. Men’s U-20s National Team player Brooks Lennon is off to a successful first season with Liverpool FC’s Academy. A Real Salt Lake Academy product, Lennon has rapidly risen through the Red’s youth system, jumping from the U18s to the U21s in December.
“I won a national championship the first year I was [at Real Salt Lake] and that helped me get ready for Liverpool and prepare me for the next level,” said Lennon about his success “Playing under Martin Vasquez at RSL Academy helped me and gave me the confidence I needed to know I could play anywhere. So when I came to Liverpool, I fit in right away.”
Due to their success, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is also rapidly expanding. Next season, which begins in Fall 2016, the boys’ Academy program will expand to add two new teams—U-12 and U-13—to the system’s current U-14, U5-16, and U-17/18 programs. As part of the expansion, Republic FC’s Academy will also grow to include the new teams that are designed to provide a training environment to enhance player development at a critical age. At the youngest level, U-12 players will also play with small-sides and with new regulations on heading the ball in order to improve player safety and technical development.
Among the most exciting expansion and success news for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program is the launch of a Girls’ Development Academy Program, which will begin in the fall of 2017. The program—which will be the first of its kind in the United States—will further accelerate the development and success of world-class players produced through the U.S. Academy system.
“In support of U.S. Soccer’s long-term plan for player and coach development, launching a Girls’ Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating the women’s game,” said U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs. “This program will directly impact the everyday environment for clubs and further connect players and coaches to our National Teams."
Heading into the final stretch of their inaugural season, Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy is already paying off for the club. To-date, seven of the club’s youth players have received international call-ups from their respective national teams.
U-13/14s players Roberto Hategan and Graysen Garber received call-ups to the U.S. and Guam national teams, respectively, while U-15/16s players Mason Finnell and Shaft Brewer Jr. have also been called up to represent the United States. In the oldest age group, the U-17/18s David Burns and Nabilai Kibunguchy round out the U.S. National Team call-ups while Mackenzie Harrington has been called up to Canada.
“We’re excited for the players,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “We’re excited for the club on the recognition we are receiving from the U.S. national team.”
Republic FC’s success at the Academy level is only part of the greater and growing success of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program at large.
In MLS, homegrown Academy players like Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake) are making a splash in the league after graduating from their respective club’s Academy programs to their first teams.
Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic—who played with U.S. Soccer Development Academy PA Classics prior to joining powerhouse European club Borussia Dortmund—is off to a prolific start to his career. At just 17 years old, Pulisic is not only the youngest player to cap for the United States in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, he is also shining in the Bundesliga.
In April, Pulisic became the youngest non-German player to ever score in the league during the club’s 3–0 home win against Hamburger SV. Just days later, Pulisic became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score two goals in the league after scoring against VfB Stuttgart.
Also overseas, U.S. Men’s U-20s National Team player Brooks Lennon is off to a successful first season with Liverpool FC’s Academy. A Real Salt Lake Academy product, Lennon has rapidly risen through the Red’s youth system, jumping from the U18s to the U21s in December.
“I won a national championship the first year I was [at Real Salt Lake] and that helped me get ready for Liverpool and prepare me for the next level,” said Lennon about his success “Playing under Martin Vasquez at RSL Academy helped me and gave me the confidence I needed to know I could play anywhere. So when I came to Liverpool, I fit in right away.”
Due to their success, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is also rapidly expanding. Next season, which begins in Fall 2016, the boys’ Academy program will expand to add two new teams—U-12 and U-13—to the system’s current U-14, U5-16, and U-17/18 programs. As part of the expansion, Republic FC’s Academy will also grow to include the new teams that are designed to provide a training environment to enhance player development at a critical age. At the youngest level, U-12 players will also play with small-sides and with new regulations on heading the ball in order to improve player safety and technical development.
Among the most exciting expansion and success news for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program is the launch of a Girls’ Development Academy Program, which will begin in the fall of 2017. The program—which will be the first of its kind in the United States—will further accelerate the development and success of world-class players produced through the U.S. Academy system.
“In support of U.S. Soccer’s long-term plan for player and coach development, launching a Girls’ Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating the women’s game,” said U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs. “This program will directly impact the everyday environment for clubs and further connect players and coaches to our National Teams.”
