Earlier today, U.S. Soccer announced that three Republic FC Academy players have been invited to an opportunity with the U.S. Youth National Team ranks. Forwards Warren Boyce and Julian Nunez-Corona, and defender Preston Thao have all been selected to the roster for the U-14 Talent ID West Regional Mini-Camp in Chula Vista, CA at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center from February 16-20.
“Warren, Julian, and Preston’s invitations are indicative of how hard they have all worked throughout the season,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Each player has pushed themselves and their teammates to be better every day. We wish them good luck as they get an opportunity on the national team stage.”
Boyce, Nunez-Corona, and Thao all feature for Sacramento’s U14 academy squad. Thao, a Sacramento native, is in his first season in Republic FC’s academy system, joining at the start of the current 2022-23 campaign. Rocklin, CA native Boyce and Napa, CA native Nunez-Corona have featured for the club’s academy since 2021, and were a part of last season’s U13 team that went the entire MLS NEXT season as the only undefeated team in their age group nationwide.
Last October, each participated in the Fall 2022 YNT Talent ID Center in Santa Clara, CA, where Republic FC led area clubs with ten players invited. The trio of players are the first from the club selected to participate in a national team program this year. In 2022, Republic FC had five homegrown players selected to their respective national teams and 19 selected to participate in Talent ID events.
Mid-way through the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season, two of Republic FC’s four academy squads sit in first place and two sit within striking distance in second place in the table in their regional divisions. The club’s teams have combined for 44 wins, 14 losses, and seven draws across 65 MLS NEXT matches. This spring, the U15 and U17 squads will play for a spot in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. In 2022, the U15 side made the semifinal round of the annual tournament, while the U17 side advanced to the quarterfinals.
