The final week of play before the holiday break was a major success for Republic FC’s U15 and U17 academy sides. Taking the pitch in a tournament setting, at the annual MLS NEXT Fest showcase in Indio, CA pitted Sacramento against top teams from around the country.
The Results
U15:
December 3: 7-0 Win vs. West Florida Flames
December 6: 5-2 Loss vs. BW Gottschee
December 6: 5-2 Win vs. New York City FC
December 7: 1-0 Win vs. Southern Soccer Academy
U17:
December 3: 2-0 Win vs. RISE SC
December 4: 3-1 Win vs. Real JFC
December 6: 1-0 Win vs. Nomads
The tournament closes out the top half of the 2022-23 season for Sacramento’s youth squads, which started in September. League contests put the U15 and U17 teams through some of their toughest competition yet, including four MLS squads, while the U13 and U14 sides currently have just a single blemish on their record. Through 46 combined contests, the club’s academy registered a collective 30-10-6 record, netting 156 scores and only letting through 59 from opponents.
Since the start of the season, the club’s players have shined at an individual level alongside their team success. Three players earned youth national team invitations since training began in August – U15 forward Chance Cowell received two call-ups to Mexico’s U15 National Team, while teammate Felix Contreras earned an invite to the U.S. U15 National Team Camp the same month. U17 midfielder Blake Willey earned two call-ups to the U.S. U17 National Team, first joining the squad for training camp in August and again for November’s Football Federations Cup in Spain. 10 players were invited to the U.S. YNT Regional Talent ID Center in Santa Clara in October, the most of any club represented.
“It’s been an excellent season so far,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Each of our teams has shown remarkable development. The next few months will be focused on continuing that, and helping every player grow from the challenges they face on the pitch and in training every day.”
Save for one last weekend of action for the U13 and U14 squads, each academy team will get three weeks off to rest before coming back after the New Year. The 2023 side of the schedule is all about league contests with the goal of qualifying for the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs.
