On last week’s episode of The Breakaway: A Republic FC podcast, three Academy products — Hayden Sargis, Mario Penagos, Rafa Jauregui — sat down to discuss their journey from academy to the first team.
On last week’s episode of The Breakaway: A Republic FC podcast, three Academy products — Hayden Sargis, Mario Penagos, Rafa Jauregui — sat down to discuss their journey from academy to the first team.
Podcast host Connor Sutton asked all three which day meant more to them their pro debut or signing day and they all agreed that signing day meant the most for them.
“The signing day was more important for me because there was more family there,” Jauregui says, “The signing day, everyone I loved was there and that was meaningful for me.”
The academy products shared their memories and stories of their first starts and debuts including Penagos’s first career goal last season against the Portland Timbers II.
“Right before we got subbed on, Mark told us to change the game. Juju and I came into the game together and we were getting lots of touches, Penagos says. “Cam laid it off and I took a touch and just took it across the box.”
Podcast host Connor Sutton asked all three which day meant more to them their pro debut or signing day and they all agreed that signing day meant the most for them.
“The signing day was more important for me because there was more family there,” Jauregui says, “The signing day, everyone I loved was there and that was meaningful for me.”
The academy products shared their memories and stories of their first starts and debuts including Penagos’s first career goal last season against the Portland Timbers II.
“Right before we got subbed on, Mark told us to change the game. Juju and I came into the game together and we were getting lots of touches, Penagos says. “Cam laid it off and I took a touch and just took it across the box.”
Penagos’s signing day partner, Hayden Sargis recalls his longtime teammate scoring his first goal in a different way.
“I think it was the fastest times I’ve ran in my life,” Sargis said. “I mean I’ve known Mario a long time and to see him score his first professional goal and being a part of it was awesome.”
The conversation shifted to playing with and without fans and three all agreed that they had a different perspective to playing without fans than most players.
“I think obviously we look forward to having fans back and when you sign your first pro contract you are excited to have fans at your games,” Sargis said, “But to be honest us as much because we aren’t use to that. We are newly signed from the Academy and we would have maybe 50 people at our games.”
Along with the trio of academy starlets, Dennis Sanchez, Republic FC’s academy director and head coach joined the podcast to discuss what’s to come for Northern California’s only pro soccer academy. From MLS Next to the upcoming tryouts, the next generation of soccer player in Sacramento has a legitimate pathway to the pros.
Penagos’s signing day partner, Hayden Sargis recalls his longtime teammate scoring his first goal in a different way.
“I think it was the fastest times I’ve ran in my life,” Sargis said. “I mean I’ve known Mario a long time and to see him score his first professional goal and being a part of it was awesome.”
The conversation shifted to playing with and without fans and three all agreed that they had a different perspective to playing without fans than most players.
“I think obviously we look forward to having fans back and when you sign your first pro contract you are excited to have fans at your games,” Sargis said, “But to be honest us as much because we aren’t use to that. We are newly signed from the Academy and we would have maybe 50 people at our games.”
Along with the trio of academy starlets, Dennis Sanchez, Republic FC’s academy director and head coach joined the podcast to discuss what’s to come for Northern California’s only pro soccer academy. From MLS Next to the upcoming tryouts, the next generation of soccer player in Sacramento has a legitimate pathway to the pros.
