After stellar regular seasons, Republic FC’s youth squads are gearing up for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Nashville, Tennessee, the national championship of American youth soccer. Last week, the club’s U15, U16, and U17 teams learned their first-round opponents and path to the final – and will take the pitch starting this weekend to kick off their tournament runs. Each squad secured their spot in the tournament with a stellar regular season and claimed the Northwest Division title.
The Matchups: Round of 32
U15
Saturday vs. Inter Miami CF – 5:45pm

U16
Saturday vs. Met Oval – 9:00am

U17
Sunday vs. Toronto FC – 5:45pm

Republic FC’s squads have shined in the national spotlight all season. The U15 and U16 teams each won their group at MLS NEXT Flex in May, earning national recognition as a result. Sacramento’s U17s have been strong against MLS-affiliated opposition all season, besting the Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the regular season. Sacramento was one of only six clubs in all of MLS NEXT to claim division titles in three age groups.
Sacramento has shown well in the tournament since its first edition. In 2021, the U17 and U19 teams each reached the semifinals, the only club to send two teams to the penultimate stage. In 2022, the U15 side reached the semis, and the U19s reached the Round of 16.
U13s, U14s to Wrap 2023/24 at Copa Rayados
Republic FC’s U13 and U14 squads wrap up their seasons this weekend as well, taking to the desert to participate in the Copa Rayados tournament in Las Vegas. Both sides will play a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday at one of the biggest youth soccer events of the year. Should either emerge atop their bracket, they’ll punch a ticket to Sunday’s semifinals.
U13
Friday vs. SC Del Sol
Friday vs. Las Vegas Gunners
Saturday vs. Total Futbol Academy
Saturday vs. Nomads
U14
Friday vs. Utah Soccer Alliance
Friday vs. AVFC
Saturday vs. Total Futbol Academy
Saturday vs. RSL El Paso