Academy

All five of Republic FC’s youth sides took the field last Saturday, taking their talents to the Bay Area for another regional battle with Silicon Valley Soccer Academy. What resulted was another weekend without defeat across all five fixtures – the fourth week in a row Sacramento has emerged lossless in MLS NEXT play.

The Results

U13’s: 3 – 2 Win @ SVSA

U14’s: 4 – 0 Win @ SVSA

U15’s: 3 – 0 Win @ SVSA

U17’s: 2 – 2 Draw @ SVSA

U19’s: 2 – 0 Win @ SVSA

With the U19’s victory on Saturday, the squad recorded their third straight shutout victory – a run of form rivaled only by the U13 squad this season.

After the first half ended with the score line even, two back-to-back goals in the 51^st and 54^th minutes for Republic FC gave the club a lead they wouldn’t give back. Great defensive work staved off chances throughout the closing minutes, giving Sacramento their second straight victory by multiple scores and their ninth in a row.

Continuing a hard fought spring, Republic FC’s U17’s put in a gritty effort. The squad went down 1-0 early, conceding a score from the hosts in the 33^rd minute. Behind a handful of changes at the break, Sacramento battled back, scoring in the 51^st minute to equalize. The club pulled ahead with what looked to be a late game-winner in the 83^rd, but a recycled set piece score from the hosts pulled Silicon Valley back even for a draw with just two minutes to go.

Sacramento’s U14’s and U15’s each extended their squad’s respective win streaks. The U15 side tallied their eighth straight win, putting in two first half scores and seeing yet another multi-goal performance from their center forward. The U14 side got going immediately following the opening whistle, putting in two scores in the 2^nd and 4^th minutes and never looking back for their fourth consecutive three-point effort.

Republic FC’s academy teams will be in action again this weekend on the road, taking on Diablo Valley, Ballistic United, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Full schedules are available at MLSSoccer.com/MLSNEXT.

This season, Republic FC’s Academy has continued on a great run of success from 2020-21. Just this spring, four of five sit at the top of the table in their respective divisions and six players have earned first-team opportunities on Academy Contracts. But the most impressive feat the club has accomplished in youth soccer may be their U13’s proving to be the best team in the entire country.

Entering this week, Republic FC’s youngest group has won 20 consecutive matches in league play. They are one of just two clubs nationwide in their age group without a draw or loss on their record, and sit at the top of the mountain in goal differential at +104. As far as results are concerned, their run of form is rivaled by maybe one other club in their age group across all of MLS NEXT in Intern Miami CF.

Allowing that to happen isn’t just a roster made up of the region’s top youth soccer talent. It’s a direct result of how hard they work, how they’ve embraced their club’s professional approach and top-tier programming, and their excitement to take the pitch every day with each other as friends and teammates.

“The players push each other every night,” said head coach Brian Willey. “Most importantly, they love the process, they love to train, they love the club and they love competing with each other. The standard at training is extremely high and the players push each other every night.”

The squad’s success doesn’t just rest on the shoulders of one player, either – each defensive player that’s seen time has been equally dominant, from the goalkeepers to those manning the backline – combining to concede just three scores all year. Offense has come from all over the place- with five different players tallying double-digit scores through the second week of March. The midfield unit has served as the glue keeping the team connected.

That level of collective contribution serves as a reminder that Republic FC’s dedication to offering a top-tier experience for youth players, and a track to the highest levels of football, pays off. Programs like the club’s U12 Center of Excellence set the stage for those on the U13 squad to start doing big things and eventually reach the first team.

“This is a very special group of young players,” Willey continued. “Several of them are on track to become future first team players, and they understand they need to keep working, continue sharing our club’s indomitable spirit, and remain humble.”

“Our U13 team is a perfect example of what it means to be indomitable and represent a unified community- and it’s not just because they’ve yet to be beaten this season,” said Director of Talent Identification Eder Quintanilla. “Throughout the last year, they’ve exemplified perfectly what a great mindset and work ethic on the field can accomplish.”

Sacramento’s Academy will be in action again this weekend, when they travel to take on Silicon Valley Soccer Academy in Palo Alto.  Full match schedules are available at mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.

Three of Republic FC’s youth teams saw action this weekend, claiming three points in every contest yet again. The U13’s continued their undefeated streak, while the U19’s broke out with a 6-0 victory in their lone contest.

The Results

U13s:     8-0 Win vs. Napa United (Saturday)

1-0 Win vs. WSC Crush (Sunday)

U14s:     4-2 Win vs. Napa United (Saturday)

5-0 Win vs. WSC Crush (Sunday)

U19s:     6-0 Win vs. Napa United

U19’s Extend Win Streak to Four

Republic FC closed out Saturday’s slate of contests with a big performance against Napa United, claiming three points for the U19’s. A tight first half saw the Indomitable Club go up 1-0 in the 34^th minute, and take that advantage into the break.

Sacramento broke out in the second half to post five scores, including braces from two different players. Not ten minutes after the half, a great strike in traffic doubled the host’s advantage. Additional scores in the 64^th, 72^nd, 78^th, and 86^th sent Sacramento home with their third consecutive victory and marked the third time they’ve won three straight this season.

U13’s, U14’s Sweep High-Demand Weekend

Sacramento’s younger age groups had a lot on their plate, seeing action on back to back days. Each side welcomed Napa United on Saturday and WSC Crush on Sunday, and took a victory in each contest for another undefeated weekend. The two squads combined for 12 goals Saturday, upending their foes with ease while conceding just two.

On Sunday, each squad worked hard, proving that back-to-back contests were no problem. After letting through two scores in their Saturday contest, the U14’s took three points in an 5-0 shutout that saw each goal come off the foot of a different player. The U13’s played the most competitive match of their season thus far, edging out their foes 1-0 on a 46^th minute score and extend their winning streak to 20.

In a slate of home and away matches, Sacramento Republic FC’s academy teams came away with a perfect weekend. Across four contests for the U13, U14, U15, and U17 squads, Republic FC took four wins, and conceded just one score while netting 17 of their own.

The Results

U13s: 4-0 Win @ Atletico Santa Rosa

U14s: 2-0 Win @ Atletico Santa Rosa

U15s: 9-0 Win vs. Ballistic United

U17s: 2-1 Win vs. Ballistic United

Golden Sombrero Leads 15’s Past Ballistic

Dominating the weekend was the U15’s strong showing – their eighth in a row by more than one score. Things got off to a strong start for Sacramento, bagging two within moments of each other in the 12^th and 13^th minute. By the end of the contest, Sacramento would put seven more on the board and secure their second clean sheet in as many weeks.

The squad’s offensive showcase included a golden sombrero by one of the team’s strikers, who after bagging one in the 13^th minute to put Sacramento up 2-0, found the net three more times in the 60^th, 67^th, and 69^th minutes. With four in the bag this week, his tally went up to seven scores over his squad’s last three matches.

U14’s Shut Down Santa Rosa

Sacramento’s U14s stretched their run of strong form with a 2-0 win over Atletico Santa Rosa. Their third clean sheet win in their last four matches was highlighted by strong play from the backline, who in addition to a strong day netted both of Republic FC’s scores.

With the win, the side stays unbeaten in league play with a record of 15 wins, 0 losses, and 3 draws, just a point back of San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS NEXT Northwest Division.

Republic FC’s youth ranks were back at work against regional opponents this past Saturday, taking on teams sure to challenge them in their quest for a berth in the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs. Three of the five squads claimed three points, with all three winners recording clean sheets and the U13 squad extending an already impressive winning streak in league play.

Recap: U19s Upend Glens with Late Score

The lone squad to see action at home this past week was Sacramento’s U19’s, who faced off with San Francisco Glens. The first meeting between the two sides since November was tight from the start – neither squad could break their opposition’s strong defensive approach.

U13s Extend Streak to 17

In the Bay Area, Republic FC’s U13 squad defeated San Francisco Elite Academy 4-0. The result was their 17^th consecutive win in league play – a streak dating to the start of the season in September.

Since the resumption of the season in January, Sacramento’s U13s have been a force on all fronts. Defensively, they’ve allowed just one goal in five contests. On the attack, they’ve posted at least four goals in every single match they have played – allowing them to outscore their opponents 30-1 and enter this coming week as one of just two teams in their age group nationwide without a draw or loss on their record.

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Next week, all of Republic FC’s teams will be in action against a new set of Bay Area foes. The U13, U14 and U19 squads will face off with Atletico Santa Rosa, while the U15 and U17 sides will welcome Ballistic United to Cosumnes River College for a pair of late-morning matchups. 

Last week was a big one for Republic FC’s Academy teams. In a pair of contests at home, the U15 and U17 squads faced possibly their toughest test of the spring, taking on their counterparts from Real Salt Lake in inter-league play. Two contests between top clubs in the west made for a spirited weekend, with the U15 side emerging victorious behind a stellar individual performance and the U17 team falling despite a strong showing.

This week, it’s back to regional action for all five teams. Each will go up against another NorCal club looking to upset Sacramento in MLS NEXT Northwest Division play as the calendar turns to March. Entering the weekend, all but one of Republic FC’s youth teams sit in first place in their division.

Recap: SACvRSL

The U15 and U17 squads both performed well against Real Salt Lake last Saturday – arguably their toughest opponent of the season – with the U15s taking a victory and the U17’s playing well in a tough defeat.  Both clubs were well prepared entering the contest, with both sides entering with an excellent string of victories to open the spring half of the season behind them.

Things went Sacramento’s way early in the U15 match. Forward Chance Cowell Bagged his first of three scores just six minutes in, setting the tone for what was a dominating day, and right back Jackson Montero doubled Sacramento’s advantage in the 24^th minute. While Real Salt Lake would cut their deficit to one just before half time, the score was all they would muster for the entire match. Two more scores from Cowell in the second half and a 64^th minute goal by right forward Jackson Martin sealed a 5-1 win and three points for Republic FC, issuing the RSL U15’s their first loss since September.

The U17 squad suffered a tough result, taking just their third loss of the season and their first since October. Two scores from RSL in the 15^th and 69^th minutes would be all they needed to secure a victory over the hosts. However, the Boys in Old Glory Red had no issues manufacturing scoring chances against a tough defensive team, something they’ll be looking to continue next week against De Anza Force.

Regional Foes Await this Weekend

All five of Republic FC’s squads are back in action this weekend against other Northern California clubs.

Coming off two dominating wins with Cal Odyssey down in Fresno, the U13 and U14 squads will look to make it 15 in a row without a loss when they meet with SF Elite. The contests come with a wrinkle that Sacramento has yet to face the club this season, but as confident as each team is, it may not be a factor.

Following their matches with Real Salt Lake, the U15s and U17s will meet with a familiar foe in De Anza Force. The two clubs met just three weeks ago here in Sacramento, with Republic FC coming out on top in both contests. In Cupertino on Saturday, it’s sure to be spirited– especially as De Anza looks to avenge their previous loss and begins prepping for a big road trip to Portland in a couple of weeks.

Here at home, the U19 squad will take on San Francisco Glens at Cosumnes River College, a squad they bested 3-1 back in November. The squad has put together a tremendous run of form lately, shutting out four of their past six opponents, including Lamorinda SC last weekend in a 2-0 victory.