In just a few weeks, Republic FC’s academy squads will take the pitch as new seasons of MLS NEXT and USL Academy play begin. The 2026/27 marks the 12th season for Sacramento’s youth development program, which continues to set the standard as one of the top programs in the country. Since 2015, the academy has welcomed hundreds of the top players from Northern California, with over 100 players going on to play at the collegiate level and 30+ eventually turning pro.
Ahead of the start of the season, we spoke to Academy Director Eder Quintanilla about aspirations for the season, the club’s approach to player development, and more.
What does a successful season look like?
Our biggest goal is to develop players and people. We want every player to become a better soccer player and a better person, while also providing a great experience for our players and families. A successful season is not only about wins and championships. We want our players to be better at the end of the season, understand how they are improving, and be prepared for their next step. We also want to continue building a strong culture with clear standards and expectations
Are there any particular areas of the game or player development that you’ve made a priority across the Academy this year?
We want to develop complete players. We are focusing on technical and tactical development, but also on things like decision-making, confidence, communication, and understanding the game. At the same time, we want to develop the person behind the player… things like accountability, discipline, resilience, and leadership are very important to us.
What makes this region such a strong talent pool?
Sacramento and Northern California have an incredible amount of soccer talent. There is a very strong and diverse soccer community here, and players come from many different backgrounds and soccer environments. One of the things that makes this region special is the passion for the game. We have players and families who are extremely committed to soccer, and we also have a large number of clubs and programs developing players throughout Northern California. Sacramento also gives us access to a very large geographic area.
What are some of the opportunities that the Academy offers that separate it from other youth clubs in the region?
One of the biggest differences is that our players are part of a professional soccer organization. They are part of Sacramento Republic FC and have access to a professional environment. Playing in MLS NEXT gives them the opportunity to compete against some of the best players and clubs in the country. Most importantly, we want to provide a clear pathway for our players whether that is continuing through the Academy, opportunities with the first team, college soccer, professional soccer, or another pathway.
