Before Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy even played their first match last September U—17/18s player Mackenzie Harrington became the first international Academy player last season.
Harrington received his call-up last year in April and was a part of Canada Men’s U18s National Team Head Coach Robert Gale’s 2015 Slovakia Cup roster. The 17-year-old defender received his call up just after his tryout and acceptance into the Republic FC Academy.
Since then, several other Republic FC Academy players have made their way onto the national team scene across three national teams. Joining Harrington on the list of players with international experience are: U-17/18s defenders Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns, and goalkeeper Cameron Douglas (all US); U-15/16s forward Shaft Brewer (US); and U-13/14s midfielders Roberto Hategan (US) and Graysen Garber (Guam).
Harrington has lived the majority of his life in Sacramento, but he was born in Montreal, Canada, where his dad Pat Harrington played for Montreal Impact (pre-MLS). His family moved to Sacramento when his dad joined the former professional indoor soccer team Sacramento Knights. The Rio Americano High School senior began his youth soccer career at Sacramento United Soccer Club, where he played for Michael Linenberger, who is also the head coach at Sacramento State.
“It’s been great having Mackenzie,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “Like all these guys in the academy, the local clubs have grown the grapes and now we’re squeezing wine. We appreciate the work they’ve done and we’re really happy for these kids that get to represent their country. It’s such an honor and it’s such a small number of players that get the opportunity. He’s in a very elite class of players.”
Harrington joined Canada Men’s U-18s National Team as a new face, having never played with any of the other players on the roster. In the 2015 Slovakia Cup, Harrington and his team faced off against Poland, Norway, Slovakia and China. Harrington saw time on the pitch against both Poland and Norway.
“In the future I hope to get another call-up,” said Harrington. “I’ve been in contact with them. They’re just going to watch me and see how I progress at Sac State and hopefully I get another call up.”
Harrington will be attending Sacramento State University in the fall and playing on the school’s NCAA Division I men’s soccer team. He signed his letter of intent this past February, alongside six other Republic FC Academy U-18s players.
Harrington is one of two Academy players that have played in the Slovakia Cup. His U-17/18s teammate defender Nabilai Kibunguchy was a part of this year’s successful U.S. Men’s U-19s National Team who progressed to the final and defeated Russia to claim the 2016 Slovakia Cup.
This season, Harrington has made 23 appearances (17 starts) with the Republic FC U-17/18s team. Harrington credits his successful tryout with the Academy with getting him noticed by Canada Soccer. He also emphasizes the similarities between Academy play and national team play, with both providing young players the opportunity to play at one of the highest levels outside of professional leagues.
“The standard is so high here,” said Harrington. “The competitiveness of each day and you’ve got other national team players like Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns. You’ve got that national team level on the field and really everyone here could play at that level, I think, just because of how strong of a team we have. It really prepares you for whatever you need to go do. Anyone out there on the squad can go play for their national team.”
The U-17/18s have clinched a spot for the 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas from June 22-26.
Before Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy even played their first match last September U—17/18s player Mackenzie Harrington became the first international Academy player last season.
Harrington received his call-up last year in April and was a part of Canada Men’s U18s National Team Head Coach Robert Gale’s 2015 Slovakia Cup roster. The 17-year-old defender received his call up just after his tryout and acceptance into the Republic FC Academy.
Since then, several other Republic FC Academy players have made their way onto the national team scene across three national teams. Joining Harrington on the list of players with international experience are: U-17/18s defenders Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns, and goalkeeper Cameron Douglas (all US); U-15/16s forward Shaft Brewer (US); and U-13/14s midfielders Roberto Hategan (US) and Graysen Garber (Guam).
Harrington has lived the majority of his life in Sacramento, but he was born in Montreal, Canada, where his dad Pat Harrington played for Montreal Impact (pre-MLS). His family moved to Sacramento when his dad joined the former professional indoor soccer team Sacramento Knights. The Rio Americano High School senior began his youth soccer career at Sacramento United Soccer Club, where he played for Michael Linenberger, who is also the head coach at Sacramento State.
“It’s been great having Mackenzie,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “Like all these guys in the academy, the local clubs have grown the grapes and now we’re squeezing wine. We appreciate the work they’ve done and we’re really happy for these kids that get to represent their country. It’s such an honor and it’s such a small number of players that get the opportunity. He’s in a very elite class of players.”
Harrington joined Canada Men’s U-18s National Team as a new face, having never played with any of the other players on the roster. In the 2015 Slovakia Cup, Harrington and his team faced off against Poland, Norway, Slovakia and China. Harrington saw time on the pitch against both Poland and Norway.
“In the future I hope to get another call-up,” said Harrington. “I’ve been in contact with them. They’re just going to watch me and see how I progress at Sac State and hopefully I get another call up.”
Harrington will be attending Sacramento State University in the fall and playing on the school’s NCAA Division I men’s soccer team. He signed his letter of intent this past February, alongside six other Republic FC Academy U-18s players.
Harrington is one of two Academy players that have played in the Slovakia Cup. His U-17/18s teammate defender Nabilai Kibunguchy was a part of this year’s successful U.S. Men’s U-19s National Team who progressed to the final and defeated Russia to claim the 2016 Slovakia Cup.
This season, Harrington has made 23 appearances (17 starts) with the Republic FC U-17/18s team. Harrington credits his successful tryout with the Academy with getting him noticed by Canada Soccer. He also emphasizes the similarities between Academy play and national team play, with both providing young players the opportunity to play at one of the highest levels outside of professional leagues.
“The standard is so high here,” said Harrington. “The competitiveness of each day and you’ve got other national team players like Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns. You’ve got that national team level on the field and really everyone here could play at that level, I think, just because of how strong of a team we have. It really prepares you for whatever you need to go do. Anyone out there on the squad can go play for their national team.”
The U-17/18s have clinched a spot for the 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas from June 22-26.
