Academy

With Republic FC’s tickets to postseason competitions in all age groups punched, Sacramento’s U13 and U14 sides took to Southern California from May 26-30 for a final tune-up in the Nexen Manchester City Cup in San Diego. The weekend saw Sacramento squads take just one loss, and although neither finished atop their respective groups, more excellent performances primed them for an appearance in the MLS NEXT Showcase later this month.  

The Results

Highlighting the weekend were two victories for the U14’s over two prestigious opponents – their counterparts from Premier League champion Manchester City, and Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy. The wins allowed the squad to finish the week unbeaten going 2-0-1 in out-of-group play, and 1-0-2 in Supergroup play.

While the U13’s finished third in their group, they showed strong, posting an impressive +12 goal differential and recording three clean sheets. They took down this year’s Dallas Cup Champion Legends FC in their third of four straight victories to close the tournament, issuing the club its only defeat.

Looking ahead, each team will have a few weeks of rest after finishing their MLS NEXT League Schedule, before taking to Texas to close out their season the last week of June. Both squads will participate in the MLS NEXT Cup showcase for younger age group teams, which don’t have a playoff competition, pitting them against the best of the best in MLS NEXT throughout the 2021-22 season from June 28 to July 1.

For the second year in a row, Republic FC’s youth teams are gearing up for the chance at hardware in youth soccer’s most prestigious competition.

This past weekend, Republic FC’s U15 and U19 squads took to Maryland for the MLS NEXT Flex tournament, pitting them against clubs from across the country. Sacramento’s top age group took on three squads in group play – LA United FC, Springfield SYC, and their counterparts from Rio Grande Valley FC. Republic FC took two wins and split points once, finishing the tournament with seven points and as the champions of Group P to earn an automatic berth to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.

The U15 squad ended the tournament just a point out of the top spot in their group, taking wins over Florida Rush and Southern Soccer academy, but falling to FC United. Their road to the postseason is not yet over, however; they still have a chance to qualify through their results in league play, which wraps up the first week of June. Should they finish their season at the top of the Northwest Division, they’ll get an automatic berth and a chance to represent their club on the national stage alongside the U19 side. The same is true for Sacramento’s U17 squad, which can punch their playoff ticket with a victory in one of their final two league matches against Breakers FC and Ballistic United.

Just 64 teams from each age group qualified for MLS NEXT Flex, which grants clubs an additional player identification platform and an opportunity to claim a playoff berth outright before the end of their league schedules. Only 16 teams claimed a MLS NEXT Cup playoffs berth through tournament, and Republic FC was the only U19 squad representing a USL Championship club to claim top honors in their group.

Last season, Republic FC’s U15, U17, and U19 squads each qualified for the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs, with the U17 and U19 teams reaching the semifinal stage before being eliminated. Republic FC was the only club to advance more than one team to the penultimate stage of the tournament. This season’s MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs are currently set to be held from June 25 to July 3 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.

Another one of Republic FC’s talented youth players has earned a call up to the international stage. Earlier this week, Republic FC Academy forward Chance Cowell was extended an official invitation to the Mexico U-15 National Team Camp set to take place from April 30 to May 5.

Cowell has featured for Sacramento’s U15 and U17 squads this season, helping the U15 squad qualify for the MLS NEXT Flex tournament in May and the U17’s stay at the top of the Northwest Division table this spring. In total, he’s combined to appear 15 times for Sacramento’s youth squads, scoring twelve goals on the season. The Ceres native has turned in some remarkable performances, most notably recording a hat trick against Real Salt Lake on February 26, and two weeks later against Ballistic United, netting four scores in a 9-0 result.

“Chance has worked hard this season and performed well in every situation,” said Academy Director of Talent Identification Eder Quintanilla. “He is a very talented player who is well aware of what it takes to compete at the highest level, and is more than deserving of such an opportunity.”

“Chance would definitely not be where he is at without the help of Sacramento Republic and its coaches,” said Chance’s father Debin. “The club provides an excellent training environment, and offers the players an opportunity to push themselves daily.”

With his invitation, Cowell becomes the 35^th player from Republic FC’s academy system invited to a national team program, and the second this year. In March, U19 forward J.P. Cortez was invited to train with the Guatemala U-20’s, scoring two goals in exhibitions.

Next week, Republic FC’s youth development academy will host open tryouts for the region’s top players looking to join the club, and take a strong step toward progressing to a pro soccer career. Players born from 2006-2011 can register for the sessions on Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3 at SacRepublicFC.com/talentid.

It’s been an exciting month for Republic FC’s youth teams. Two weeks ago, Sacramento’s U15 and U19 squads secured spots in the MLS NEXT Playoffs qualifier. This past weekend, all five teams swept their regional foes across seven matches, keeping all atop the table in their respective divisions.

The Results

U13: 2-1 Win @ Breakers FC

U14: 9-2 Win @ Breakers FC, 3-0 Win vs. Cal Odyssey

U15: 2-1 Win @ Breakers FC

U17: 6-0 Win @ Breakers FC

U19: 5-0 Win @ Breakers FC, 3-1 Win vs. SF Glens

The U14’s victories – their third and fourth in a row, inched them two points ahead of San Jose Earthquakes in the Northwest division table. Their nine-goal performance on Saturday was led by a six-score run in the first half that kicked off in just the third minute. Two scores late – which secured a hat trick – secured three more points Sunday at home against central valley foe Cal Odyssey.

Wins for every other squad secured important cushions in the standings, which could be critical to taking the top spot come the end of the season. The U15’s victory gave them a crucial 5 point advantage in the division table, and the U17’s win, a six-score clean sheet effort, kept them ahead of De Anza Force.

Sacramento’s U19’s kept their undefeated 2022 going with two victories, their second and third straight since a scoreless draw on April 9. Saturday’s 5-0 win saw each score come from a different player, and their 3-1 home win over SF Glens was won in the 81^st minute, when Sacramento netted the game winner after Glens went down to 10 men.

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.