With a successful season behind them, and playoffs ahead, a gangly group of teenagers have taken a page or two out of Sacramento Republic FC’s inaugural season playbook. Following in the first team’s footsteps, the Republic FC Academy’s inaugural season is nothing short of memorable, and filled with success both on, and off, the pitch.
From open tryouts—where hundreds of youth participated—to youth national team call-ups and wins against MLS Academy sides, Republic FC’s Academy has done nothing but impress since it was launched in Spring 2015.
Most recently, the U-17/18s team added another feat to the Academy’s growing list of inaugural season accomplishments: clinching a spot in the 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Playoffs.
“First off, and foremost, it’s a blessing for us to be in this situation. I feel it’s an honor for our players who have done this and worked hard,” said Republic FC Academy Director Rod Underwood. “It’s a different phase for us…There’s a bigger emphasis [at this level] on winning.”
Republic FC’s U-17/18 team has had an impressive inaugural season, averaging 1.77 points per match. Currently, the team is ranked second in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference, trailing only the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18 program, which is a full-time residency program for members of the team. Additionally, Republic FC sits in fifth place overall in the entire Western Conference.
With a current 16-8-7 overall record, and matches still remaining in the season, the U-17/18s have already secured a trip to the 2016 Academy Playoffs. The top 32 Academy teams from across the country will face off June 22-26 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
On June 8, Republic FC’s U-17/18s will be seeded into four pots based on their regular points per game and then randomly drawn into one of eight groups consisting of four teams per group. Republic FC currently ranks as the 19th playoff seed, but could improve this weekend as U.S. Soccer Development Academy plays their final regular season matches on Saturday, June 4.
Republic FC U-17/18s will play three group matches over the course of five days from June 22-26. From there, the winners of each group will then advance to the tournament Knockout Round of the Development Academy Postseason, beginning July 7. All Academy Championship matches (including other age groups) will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on July 14 and 16.
“It’s a preparation process and overall development process [for the team],” said Underwood. “We’ll take it game by game.”
Additionally, the U.S. Men’s National Team coaches will be on site to identify potential Republic FC players for future call-ups to U.S. youth national teams. To-date, several Republic FC Academy players have received call-ups to various U.S. youth national teams, including three U-17/18s players: Goalkeeper Cameron Douglas and defenders Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns.
Eight members of Republic FC’s U-17/18s side have already committed to playing college soccer this fall. Defenders David Burns, Mackenzie Harrington, Samuel Dadzie and Nabilai Kibunguchy have committed to University of California, Berkeley, Sacramento State University, Cal State Northridge and University of California, Davis, respectively. Midfielders Will DuBay, Jeff Dukes and Heriberto Melgoza are respectively headed to Loyola Marymount University, San Jose State and Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo. The lone forward in the group, Joseph Restani, has committed to Saint Mary’s College.
For Underwood, this year’s Playoffs will also help his players prepare for their future in the sport, especially as numerous players prepare for careers and education after the Academy.
“At the Academy we’re not looking at winning and losing as the end-all be-all, but we believe at the U-18s level it is a vital part of their overall development,” said Underwood about his expectations for Playoffs. “They need to compete, look for success—not just technically and tactically—but also to understand how to ultimately win games, since that’s what they’ll be tasked to do as they make the next step to college or if they make the jump to a pro team.”
With a successful season behind them, and playoffs ahead, a gangly group of teenagers have taken a page or two out of Sacramento Republic FC’s inaugural season playbook. Following in the first team’s footsteps, the Republic FC Academy’s inaugural season is nothing short of memorable, and filled with success both on, and off, the pitch.
From open tryouts—where hundreds of youth participated—to youth national team call-ups and wins against MLS Academy sides, Republic FC’s Academy has done nothing but impress since it was launched in Spring 2015.
Most recently, the U-17/18s team added another feat to the Academy’s growing list of inaugural season accomplishments: clinching a spot in the 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Playoffs.
“First off, and foremost, it’s a blessing for us to be in this situation. I feel it’s an honor for our players who have done this and worked hard,” said Republic FC Academy Director Rod Underwood. “It’s a different phase for us…There’s a bigger emphasis [at this level] on winning.”
Republic FC’s U-17/18 team has had an impressive inaugural season, averaging 1.77 points per match. Currently, the team is ranked second in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference, trailing only the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18 program, which is a full-time residency program for members of the team. Additionally, Republic FC sits in fifth place overall in the entire Western Conference.
With a current 16-8-7 overall record, and matches still remaining in the season, the U-17/18s have already secured a trip to the 2016 Academy Playoffs. The top 32 Academy teams from across the country will face off June 22-26 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
On June 8, Republic FC’s U-17/18s will be seeded into four pots based on their regular points per game and then randomly drawn into one of eight groups consisting of four teams per group. Republic FC currently ranks as the 19th playoff seed, but could improve this weekend as U.S. Soccer Development Academy plays their final regular season matches on Saturday, June 4.
Republic FC U-17/18s will play three group matches over the course of five days from June 22-26. From there, the winners of each group will then advance to the tournament Knockout Round of the Development Academy Postseason, beginning July 7. All Academy Championship matches (including other age groups) will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on July 14 and 16.
“It’s a preparation process and overall development process [for the team],” said Underwood. “We’ll take it game by game.”
Additionally, the U.S. Men’s National Team coaches will be on site to identify potential Republic FC players for future call-ups to U.S. youth national teams. To-date, several Republic FC Academy players have received call-ups to various U.S. youth national teams, including three U-17/18s players: Goalkeeper Cameron Douglas and defenders Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns.
Eight members of Republic FC’s U-17/18s side have already committed to playing college soccer this fall. Defenders David Burns, Mackenzie Harrington, Samuel Dadzie and Nabilai Kibunguchy have committed to University of California, Berkeley, Sacramento State University, Cal State Northridge and University of California, Davis, respectively. Midfielders Will DuBay, Jeff Dukes and Heriberto Melgoza are respectively headed to Loyola Marymount University, San Jose State and Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo. The lone forward in the group, Joseph Restani, has committed to Saint Mary’s College.
For Underwood, this year’s Playoffs will also help his players prepare for their future in the sport, especially as numerous players prepare for careers and education after the Academy.
“At the Academy we’re not looking at winning and losing as the end-all be-all, but we believe at the U-18s level it is a vital part of their overall development,” said Underwood about his expectations for Playoffs. “They need to compete, look for success—not just technically and tactically—but also to understand how to ultimately win games, since that’s what they’ll be tasked to do as they make the next step to college or if they make the jump to a pro team.”
