Since last Friday, Republic FC’s U15, U16, and U17 academy squads have been in action at the MLS NEXT Flex tournament in Boyds, Maryland, taking on top competition from around the country. After three matches apiece, the club’s teams are set to return home after a stellar showing at the annual tournament, and playoff berths in hand for the U15s and U16s. Sacramento came away with four wins and a draw in nine combined matches and as one of 13 clubs with a group winner in multiple age groups.
The Results
U15s:
Saturday: 1 – 0 Win vs. Southern Soccer Academy
Sunday: 1 (7) – 1 (6) Loss vs. Colorado Rapids (PK’s)
Tuesday: 6 – 3 Win vs. Players Development Academy
U16s:
Friday: 2 – 1 Loss vs. Indy Eleven
Saturday: 5 – 1 Win vs. Springfield SYC
Monday: 5 – 3 Win vs. LA Surf
U17s:
Saturday: 4 – 2 Loss vs. Minnesota United
Sunday: 2 (3) – 2 (1) Loss vs. Real Colorado (PK’s)
Tuesday: 2 – 0 Loss vs. CF Montréal
The U15 side kicked off the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Southern Soccer Academy. On Day 2, the club played well against the Colorado Rapids in a 2-2 draw, eventually falling in penalties, 7-6. The squad wrapped up its trip with an offensive showcase in a 6-3 victory over Players Development Academy. The U16 side fell to Indy Eleven to open the tournament by a tight 2-1 scoreline but scored 10 goals across its next two games – 5-1 and 5-3 wins – to secure a pair of victories and the top spot in its group.
Sacramento’s U17’s showed well in a tough slate, taking on a pair of MLS academy sides in Minnesota United and CF Montreal. Sunday, they played Real Colorado tight, falling 3-1 in a shootout following a 2-2 draw. They still have a chance to secure a playoff berth in the coming weeks – as league play wraps up, the squad sits atop their standings in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division. Just one win in the final three games will secure them the top spot and a playoff berth.
The MLS NEXT Cup playoffs are slated for June 15 to 23 in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the national championship of American youth soccer’s top level. Republic FC has qualified at least one team for the tournament every year and shown well – three squads have reached Semifinal round since 2021, and last season, Sacramento’s U17 side reached the Round of 32.
What’s Coming Up
After a stellar tournament showing, a full slate of regional derbies is on the docket this week as Republic FC visits local rival Sac United at Granite Regional Park. The two clubs met in all age groups just last week – with Republic FC winning all five games and conceding just a single goal on the day. It’ll mark the third matchup between the two club’s teams this season, Republic FC has dominated the matchups to this point securing six wins in nine contests across all age groups.
