In a break from league play for MLS NEXT Flex matches, Republic FC’s U15 and U17 sides welcomed their counterparts from Seattle Sounders FC to the River City. It was a spirited afternoon – but one the Indomitable club walked away from the day unbeaten with a win and draw apiece. Each side will take their momentum into a second straight Saturday against an MLS affiliated squad this week and continue their strong starts to the season.
The Results
All went as planned for the U15 side over their Washington foes. A second half brace from midfielder Sean Baitinger led to a 3-1 win. Seattle pulled even moments after the break, but Baitinger answered right back a minute later before netting a second at the 68 minute mark. The victory was the U15’s second straight.
Republic FC’s U17 squad started off the day hot, netting three goals by the hour mark to take control of the contest. However, the Seattle side they faced wasn’t going down without a fight and marched back to take a 4-3 lead with a trio of scores in the 76th, 78th and 84th minutes. But getting a score at the death proved not too tall a task for Sacramento, as substitute Carlos Maldonado pulled the goalkeeper off his line and equalized in the 90th minute.
Canadian Test Comes Next
While the U13 and U14 squads take on Sheriffs FC in league play, the U15 and U17 teams line up opposite an MLS academy foe. Vancouver Whitecaps FC makes a trip down from north of the border to take on Sacramento for points in FLEX competition, which could help the Quails secure an early spot in the MLS NEXT playoffs. Vancouver’s U15 and U17 squads have only played one match this season – against Seattle – falling 3-2 and 3-0. In 2021-22, the Sacramento’s U17’s faced off with their Canadian counterparts once, falling in a 1-0 result.
