Insider's Look into the 2021 Boys in Old Glory Red: Wingers

Connected to the attacking front and the strong defensive foundation, Republic FC’s corps of creative wingers as set for an exciting 2021. Dangerous speed on the outside will help create a threatening attack, while supporting the club’s possession from the defensive third through the back of the opponent’s net. The club’s 2020 MVP is joined by a youngster hungry for his first pro goal, and two new threats ripe with a goal-oriented mentality and resolute work ethic.

Look for this group to break up back lines, crash the box, move the ball with pace and precision, and keep their engine running on high for the Indomitable Club.

Tucker Bone

No. 7
Age: 25

Tucker Bone signed with the boys in Old Glory Red this offseason, returning to his hometown of Sacramento, where he attended Jesuit High School.

Bone – a former MLS Superdraft selection by Seattle Sounders FC – was awarded back-to-back First Team All-America honors. In the past ten years, only 15 players out of 110 have earned the honor twice. In his four years at the Air Force Academy, Bone was a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and was selected as the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

At the professional level, Bone logged 16 appearances in 2019 with Colorado Springs Switchbacks during his debut campaign where registered one goal and one assist. The following season, Bone joined a high-flying Reno 1868 FC side and in 14 regular season appearances for the Nevada-club, he found the back of the net four times and added one assist. He also started Reno’s two playoff matches and earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 9 and 11.

The first of his 2020 USL TOTW selections came after Bone bagged a goal and added an assist in a 3-1 road win over San Diego Loyal SC. His Week 11 selection was on the heels of a 7-1 triumph over Portland Timbers 2 in early September when the midfielder notched two goals in the opening 11 minutes – the second-fastest brace in 1868 FC history.

Bone is eyeing a positive first impression with the boys in Old Glory Red this coming campaign and should add an element of excitement and enthusiasm to the SRFC midfield unit.

Dariusz Formella

No. 10
Age: 25

Republic FC’s leading scorer last season is back to build on what will be his first full campaign in the three seasons ‘Darek’ has been lacing up his boots for the boys in Old Glory Red.

He’s had a knack for finding the back of the net, and opened his SRFC account shortly after joining the Indomitable Club midway through the 2019 season. In just his fifth appearance, Darek netted a game-winner against Austin Bold to seal a 2-1 win. Just three days later, he nabbed a second straight game-winner strike – but this one just so happened to be in front of a sellout crowd at Papa Murphy’s Park against RGVFC Toros.

When the league returned to play last season following the hiatus caused by the pandemic, Darek was a scoring threat from the first whistle, as he bagged a brace against Tacoma Defiance on July 13 – his first of three multigoal games in 2020. When Republic FC clashed with Tacoma again on August 15, it was Formella once again who broke the opposing back line for two goals.

He closed out the regular season with a bang, the same way he kicked it off – with a two-goal game, this time against Portland Timbers 2. It took Darek all of four minutes against T2 to register the fastest brace in Republic FC history.

2020 was the breakout season Formella was hoping for and he only had a 16-game regular season schedule to work with. With a full slate lined up for Darek and company in 2021, SRFC supporters should be more than excited to see what the Polish playmaker has in store for this season.

Rafael Jauregui

No. 34
Age: 16

Last season, Rafael Jauregui made history on July 19 when he became the youngest in club history to appear for the Indomitable Club during a league match. But it only marked the beginning. Weeks later, Rafa broke another club record as the youngest to start a USL Championship match for Republic FC.

Look for the youngster to continue to grow into a pro in 2021. After signing his first pro contract, he’s eager to contribute to Republic’s championship chase – and find the back of the net for another milestone.

In his debut campaign as an academy member, Jauregui logged over 100 minutes of priceless first team play while featuring in five different fixtures over the course of 2020. He was also an available substitute in Republic FC’s Western Conference Quarterfinal showdown with eventual conference champions Phoenix Rising FC. After signing his first USL Academy contract prior to the restart of the regular season, Rafa was summoned into the 18-man gameday roster for 13 of 16 matches.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s 15 years old and thrown into a game with 30-year old guys twice his age – he’s unfazed,” Republic FC General Manager Todd Dunivant said of Rafa following Jauregui signing his first professional contract on November 30. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a big game. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small sided training. He’s unfazed by whatever’s thrown at him.”

Now that Rafa has one season of senior team experience under his belt, the former SRFC Youth Academy star is looking to build off his promising debut campaign and continue developing his skills as he continues to work towards earning first team minutes.

Maalique Foster

No. 99
Age: 24

Another new signing this offseason joining the SRFC midfield ranks for the 2021 campaign is Jamaican Men’s National Team winger Maalique Foster.

The dynamic winger has eight international caps for the Reggae Boyz to his name and was a member of the 2019 Gold Cup squad that went on a run all the way to the Semifinals.

He made quite the first impression when he was first called into national team duty as Foster found the back of the net against South Korea en route to a 2-2- draw.

The dynamic winger has eight international caps for the Reggae Boyz to his name and was a member of the 2019 Gold Cup squad that went on a run all the way to the Semifinals.

He made quite the first impression when he was first called into national team duty as Foster found the back of the net against South Korea en route to a 2-2- draw.

Last season, Foster join Ironi Kiryat Shmona on loan of the Israeli Premier League where he made 13 appearances. Prior to playing in Israel’s topflight, the versatile attacker competed in the Costa Rican Primera Division Apertura with Santos de Guapiles FC where he bagged five goals in just a dozen games.

But 2021 won’t be Fosters first campaign showcasing his skills in the USL Championship, as Maalique spent the first half of the 2019 season with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. During his time with the Texan club, Foster registered three goals and four assists in 11 fixtures and was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week twice – Week 7 and 11.

Heading into his first season in Sacramento and second in the Championship, Foster is expected to bring a jolt of energy and flair to the Republic FC flanks.