The Nicaraguan Football Federation has announced that Republic FC Academy midfielder Brighton Utush has been called up to its U17 National Team for the 2024 UNCAF FIFA Forward tournament in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Utush will participate in the team’s training camp from May 9-14, before the squad takes on Costa Rica, Honduras, and Puerto Rico at the tournament between May 15 and 24.
A native of Roseville, Utush joined Republic FC’s Academy in 2022 from local club USA Stars Academy. This season, he’s been a standout for the club’s U15 squad in MLS NEXT play, helping them to reach the top spot in their regional division and a strong 23-1-3 record.
Utush’s invitation marks his first to a Youth National Team, and the fifth by a Republic FC homegrown player in 2024. Over 60 Republic FC players have been selected to join Youth National Team programs since the club’s academy launched in 2015, including rosters, camps, and Regional ID Center sessions. Earlier this year, Forward Da’vian Kimbrough earned two invitations to Mexico’s U16 squad and alongside Academy goalkeeper Andy Castro participated in the United States’ March U14 Talent ID Camp. Defender Chibi Ukaegbu joined the U.S. U17 National team for its March training camp.
The club’s youth academy is in action this week at MLS NEXT Flex in Boyds, Maryland – an annual tournament featuring the top youth teams in the country. Sacramento’s squads will face off against other top competition in advance of June’s MLS NEXT Cup playoffs, the national championship for the highest level of youth soccer in North America.
Republic FC continues the 2024 USL Championship season this Saturday, heading to the East Coast to face off with league debutant Rhode Island FC. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com and through the FOX40 News mobile app.
