- Yuba City native joined Republic FC’s Youth Academy in 2021
- Featured for Republic FC’s U14 squad in 2021, led the team in scoring with 11 goals
- Becomes 5th academy player selected to a national team camp in 2022
Sacramento, Calif. – U.S. Soccer announced that Republic FC Academy defender and Yuba City native Felix Contreras will participate in the U15 Men’s Youth National Team Talent Identification Camp in Chula Vista, California, taking place now through September 6. This is Contreras’ first call-up to a national team training program and Republic FC’s fifth academy player call-up to the national stage in 2022.
“Felix is well deserving of a chance on the national stage,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “We know he will go and make his club proud, and we’re excited to see another talented young player represent our club amongst some of the best in the country.
Contreras is entering his second season with Republic FC’s academy, after joining the club ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. The center back appeared in 29 of 30 regular season matches for Sacramento’s U14 team, finishing the season as the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals. His work on the backline helped his squad to an undefeated regular season and a berth to the MLS NEXT Cup showcase this past summer. In June, Contreras was one of six Republic FC players that participated in the 2008 YNT Regional ID Center in Davis, CA. Of the 60 players participating in the national ID camp, he is one of 10 not representing an MLS club.
All five of Republic FC’s academy teams had a stellar 2021-2022 season. In league play, they combined for an outstanding record of 91 wins and just two losses, with all five teams finishing at the top of their regional divisions and qualifying for postseason play. At the MLS Next Cup and Showcase, they had an overall record of eight wins, five losses, and two draws – with the U19 squad reaching the Round of 16 and the U15’s making it to the Semifinals. During the 2020-2021 season, the academy’s U17 and U19 squads reached the Semifinals, making Republic FC the only club to send two teams to the
late stages for both age groups. The club’s 2022-23 Academy season is set to begin next month.
Contreras becomes the fifth academy player from the club selected to a national team camp this year and the 18th player to receive an invitation since the academy’s inception in 2015. In March, U19 forward J.P. Cortez joined the Guatemala U20’s, and Santiago Suarez – currently on a USL Academy Contract with Sacramento’s first team – was the only USL Championship participant in the July U19 U.S. Youth Men’s National Team camp. Midfielder Blake Willey joined the U.S. U16 Boys’ Youth National Team Camp earlier this month, and forward Chance Cowell has received two training camp invitations to Mexico’s U15 squad, first in April and again in August.
Republic FC’s first team is back in action this Saturday, September 3 on the road against Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC. The match is set to kick off at 4:30 PM, and will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, as well as streaming on ESPN+. Following the match, the club will head south to Florida for the U.S. Open Cup Final against Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, September 7.
