Republic FC’s youth ranks were back at work against regional opponents this past Saturday, taking on teams sure to challenge them in their quest for a berth in the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs. Three of the five squads claimed three points, with all three winners recording clean sheets and the U13 squad extending an already impressive winning streak in league play.
Recap: U19s Upend Glens with Late Score
The lone squad to see action at home this past week was Sacramento’s U19’s, who faced off with San Francisco Glens. The first meeting between the two sides since November was tight from the start – neither squad could break their opposition’s strong defensive approach.
A few changes in the second half gave Sacramento life. Republic FC would come close to breaking the 0-0 tie on a pair of corner kicks just after the hour mark. Midfielder Josemaria Barrera would eventually get Republic FC on the board in the 76th minute by finding the net after a cross into traffic was headed out to him running the flank.
The score would be all Sacramento needed to secure a 1-0 win and upend the U19 Northwest Division leaders. The victory also earned the squad points in its seventh consecutive match, and a clean sheet for the fifth time in seven weeks since the end of January.
U13s Extend Streak to 17
In the Bay Area, Republic FC’s U13 squad defeated San Francisco Elite Academy 4-0. The result was their 17th consecutive win in league play – a streak dating to the start of the season in September.
Since the resumption of the season in January, Sacramento’s U13s have been a force on all fronts. Defensively, they’ve allowed just one goal in five contests. On the attack, they’ve posted at least four goals in every single match they have played – allowing them to outscore their opponents 30-1 and enter this coming week as one of just two teams in their age group nationwide without a draw or loss on their record.
Next week, all of Republic FC’s teams will be in action against a new set of Bay Area foes. The U13, U14 and U19 squads will face off with Atletico Santa Rosa, while the U15 and U17 sides will welcome Ballistic United to Cosumnes River College for a pair of late-morning matchups.
