After a mid-season break for the holidays, Republic FC’s Youth Development Academy is back in action for the second half of the 2023-2024 MLS NEXT season.
From now through the Spring, all five of the club’s youth squads are focused on continuing the run of form. The second half of the campaign is about being positioned to earn hardware at the end of the season. June’s MLS NEXT Cup playoffs will bring together the top squads from across the nation to crown a champion in each age group. After a stellar start to the season in the fall, Republic FC’s teams are primed and ready for a strong spring.
Lifting the California Cup
All of the club’s youth development teams returned to the pitch last weekend in tournament action at the California Cup in Modesto where they competed against a collection of regional league foes. Republic FC dominated the tournament with four of five age groups reaching the final and the young quails outscoring their opponents 42-12. Across the weekend, the five teams recorded a 15-4-1 record. Republic FC’s U15 side swept their slate, taking home hardware from the competition with a 4-0 record and a 2-1 victory in the final.
Sacramento’s U13, U14, U16, and U17 squads each showed well with one defeat across their four-game slates. The U13s outscored their opponents 14-2 in four matches, only to claim second in the tournament. The U16 squad put in a similarly dominating performance but suffered defeat in the final match by way of a penalty shootout. Sacramento’s U17 side opened the tournament with three straight shutouts before falling in the final to close out the tournament.
Preview: Republic FC vs. Breakers FC
Republic FC’s youth squads return to league play this weekend with each team set to host Breakers FC in Northwest Division play. All five squads take the pitch Saturday at Cosumnes River College with important points on the line. Entering the weekend, each team holds the most points in their division with just four combined defeats in league play for all five teams. The U13 side remains undefeated in league play with a 14-0-0 record, while each of the remaining four sides have only dropped once contest this season. The U16s have a second contest on the schedule Sunday in the Bay Area, where they’ll face off with Lamorinda SC.
Saturday:
U17s vs. Breakers FC – 9:00 AM
U16s vs. Breakers FC – 11:00 AM
U15s vs. Breakers FC – 1:00 PM
U14s vs. Breakers FC – 3:00 PM
U13s vs. Breakers FC – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
U16s @ Lamorinda SC – 12:00 PM
