Academy

Academy Check In: Youth Sides Claim Three Wins over Regional Foes

All four Academy teams returned to action this weekend against regional foes, claiming three victories and outscoring their opponents 19-1. Shutout wins for the U-13s and U-14s kept each side in sight of the top of the table, while the U-15s continued their run of good form and remained atop the Northwest Division.

The Results

U-13s

4-0 Win vs Napa United

U-15s

7-1 Win vs SF Glens

U-14s

8-0 Win vs Napa United

U-17s

3-0 Loss vs SF Glens

Four scores from Joshua Emojong led the U-14s on Saturday, as the forward put in a hat-trick before the break and one more in the second half. Forward Sean Hanafee and midfielder Julian Nunez Corona both had a pair of goals en route to the 8-0 victory.

The U-13s’ Saturday contest was even until a Jonah Douhab score late in the first half. The forward made no mistake to capitalize from just outside the six-yard box after intercepting a pass from the opposition. He scored again after the hour mark, before Grayson Utush and Tegvir Bhinder added their name to the score sheet.

Sunday’s action against SF Glens saw the U-15s return to league play with a 7-1 win, and the U-17s take a tough 3-0 defeat. Left-back Christian Azevedo and midfielder Da’vian Kimbrough each netted a brace in the U-15’s match, which saw five total players score by the hour mark. Glens pulled one back in the 66^th minute, but Sacramento netted one more before the final whistle sounded.

Looking Ahead:

The U-13s and U-14s are set to face Silicon Valley SA April 2 as they look to stay on the top half of their respective divisions. The U-15s and U-17s return to action April 15 against De Anza Force as the U-17s try to climb up the standings as berths in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs are on the line.

Nine Republic FC Academy Players Invited to Spring 2023 YNT ID Center

This week, a group of Republic FC Academy players get a unique opportunity to show their skills for U.S. Youth National Team staff and talent evaluators. Nine players from the 2008 and 2009 birth years – Felix Contreras, Chance Cowell, Saul Cuellar, Preston Danquah-Appiah, Kevin Gonzalez Perez, Nacio Gutierrez, Damian Linarez, Ranfateh Singh, and Luke Strassburg – have been invited to this month’s Youth National Team Regional ID Center on Wednesday in Plesanton, CA.

The players invited are part of a group of 32 players who received the invite from clubs across Northern California. Recently, Republic FC has paced area clubs with the most players invited; in 2022, the club had 11 players selected to the Spring Regional ID Center, and 10 to the Fall. The nine players selected to this week’s session are the second-most of any club represented.

ID Centers are an important part of the US Youth National Team pathway for talented players. The one-day session provides players a platform to showcase their play for YNT Talent Identification managers, and potentially earn future selections to national team rosters and camps. So far in 2023, four Republic FC Academy players have been selected to participate in national team programs, with each having participated in previous Regional ID Center sessions.

Three Wins, One Draw Claimed in Unbeaten Weekend for Academy Squads

The U-13 and U-14 squads continued MLS NEXT league action with back-to-back games this weekend against Diablo Valley Wolves Saturday and Woodside SC Crush Sunday. The U-13s earned a win and a draw while the U-14s went undefeated against their opposition.

The Results

U13s:

1 – 1 Draw @ Diablo Valley

3 – 0 Win @ WSC Crush

U14s:

2 – 1 Win @ Diablo Valley

2 – 0 Win @ WSC Crush

A strong start for the U-14 squad put Sacramento ahead early on Saturday, as scores from Sean Hanafee in the 16^th minute and Da’vian Kimbrough in the 21^st put the visitors up two. Diablo Valley was able to cut their deficit to one at the beginning of the second half, but the young Indomitable squad was able to hold down their lead until the final whistle with a strong defensive showing. The U-13s came from behind to secure a point with a 1-1 draw. After the Indomitable Club went down a score just before the break, Jonah Douhab drew the game level in the 56^th minute.

Sunday, the U-14s kicked off action with a 2-0 win. For the second straight match, Sean Hanafee found the net to open the scoring for Sacramento. Warren Boyce added an insurance goal in the 50^th minute to secure a shutout win. A clean sheet for the U-13 side finished a sweep on the day and an unbeaten weekend as three scores gave Sacramento an advantage they wouldn’t give up.

Looking Ahead

Both squads now look ahead to another double-game weekend on the road. As the club’s first team kicks off the 2023 season March 11, the U-13 and U-14 squads take the pitch against San Francisco Elite, before another fixture Sunday at Napa United. After two weeks off from league action, the U-15 and U-17 sides will take the pitch again the following week on March 25, home against San Francisco Glens.

Republic FC Academy Represented at U.S. U-15 National Team Camp

Sacramento, Calif. – This week, another player from Republic FC’s Academy system gets an opportunity on the youth national team stage. Academy Forward Chance Cowell has been selected to the roster for the USYNT U-15 Training Camp in Carson, California at Dignity Health Sports Park from March 3 to 11.

The call-up marks the Ceres native’s first selection to a United States National Team camp – earning him a unique opportunity to represent two nations after featuring for Mexico’s U-15 squad in 2022. He is the club’s first player selection to a National Team training camp this year, and one of just three players on the camp roster not representing a MLS club.

“Chance continues to work hard every week, and represent our club well,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “This is tremendous for Chance, our club and Academy as we support the constant development of our players at all levels.”

Cowell features for Republic FC’s U-15 and U-17 squads, initially joining the club in 2021. This season, the forward has scored 17 goals in 21 matches and helped the U-15 side to a 12-2-2 record on the season.

In 2022, he was selected three times to the Mexico U-15 National Team, participating in the April, August, and November camps for El Tri’s U-15’s. He was one of five Republic FC Academy players selected to represent their respective nations throughout the year. In addition to his participation with Mexico, he was invited to both the Spring and Fall U.S. YNT Regional ID Center training sessions, which provide a pathway to future national team call-ups.

Three Republic FC Academy Players Invited to Youth National Team ID Camp

Earlier today, U.S. Soccer announced that three Republic FC Academy players have been invited to an opportunity with the U.S. Youth National Team ranks. Forwards Warren Boyce and Julian Nunez-Corona, and defender Preston Thao have all been selected to the roster for the U-14 Talent ID West Regional Mini-Camp in Chula Vista, CA at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center from February 16-20.

“Warren, Julian, and Preston’s invitations are indicative of how hard they have all worked throughout the season,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Each player has pushed themselves and their teammates to be better every day. We wish them good luck as they get an opportunity on the national team stage.”

Boyce, Nunez-Corona, and Thao all feature for Sacramento’s U14 academy squad. Thao, a Sacramento native, is in his first season in Republic FC’s academy system, joining at the start of the current 2022-23 campaign. Rocklin, CA native Boyce and Napa, CA native Nunez-Corona have featured for the club’s academy since 2021, and were a part of last season’s U13 team that went the entire MLS NEXT season as the only undefeated team in their age group nationwide.

Last October, each participated in the Fall 2022 YNT Talent ID Center in Santa Clara, CA, where Republic FC led area clubs with ten players invited. The trio of players are the first from the club selected to participate in a national team program this year. In 2022, Republic FC had five homegrown players selected to their respective national teams and 19 selected to participate in Talent ID events.

Mid-way through the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season, two of Republic FC’s four academy squads sit in first place and two sit within striking distance in second place in the table in their regional divisions. The club’s teams have combined for 44 wins, 14 losses, and seven draws across 65 MLS NEXT matches. This spring, the U15 and U17 squads will play for a spot in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. In 2022, the U15 side made the semifinal round of the annual tournament, while the U17 side advanced to the quarterfinals.

Academy Update: Youth Sides Log Pair of Wins, Losses Each Against SF Glens

Republic FC’s youth sides faced off against their counterparts from San Francisco Glens this past weekend. While the younger sides each fell to their regional foes, a pair of wins for the U15 and U17 sides highlighted the afternoon. Looking ahead, the older squads remain home this week as the younger squads have another road test in front of them.

The Results

U13: 2 – 4 Loss @ San Francisco Glens

U14: 1 – 2 Loss @ San Francisco Glens

U15: 4 – 1 Win @ San Francisco Glens

U17: 3 – 0 Win @ San Francisco Glens

A clean sheet performance from the U17 squad – their first since the calendar turned to 2023 – brought the squad to just a point back of the top spot in the Northwest Division table. A strong first half set the tone as a first half brace from forward Ethan Kelly put the club at a 2-0 advantage by the half hour mark. Forward Chance Cowell added a third score just before the final whistle sounded.

Dominance in the opening 45 minutes also helped the U15 side to a victory, as the club netted two scores before the break off the feet of Luke Strassburg and Devin Stuppin. Two more just after the start of the second half extended the squad’s lead to four; the final whistle signaled a 4-1 win after the hosts got one back at the 70 minute mark.

Sacramento’s younger squads each had a tougher day, falling to their Bay Area foes. A heartbreaking ending for the U14’s saw their opponent’s find a winner in the final seconds, while a back-and-forth match for the U13’s ended as a 4-2 defeat even as Sacramento fought back late.

Next up for the academy are more contests with Bay Area opposition – the U13 and U14s on the road against Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, and the U15s and U17s at home vs. Ballistic United.

Academy Update: Stellar Start to New Year for All Youth Sides

January’s been a busy month for Republic FC’s development academy. After a brief break for the holidays, all four squads are back in action as the club begins its push toward the postseason this spring. This past weekend, three of four contests for Republic FC ended in victory.

The Results

U13: 4 – 1 Win @ Diablo Valley Wolves

U14: 1 – 0 Loss @ Diablo Valley Wolves

U15: 5 – 0 Win vs. Breakers FC

U17: 5 – 3 Win vs. Breakers FC

Two strong offensive performances from the U15s and U17s claimed important wins, continuing strong play to start 2023. An eventful, back and forth contest for the U17’s kicked off the day, as Sacramento and Breakers FC traded scores through the first 50 minutes – headlined by a hat-trick from forward Ethan Kelly. The eventual winner by Jacob Balinsat and game-sealing score by Chance Cowell late in the game secured the victory in a 5-3 result. The contest marked the second straight performance in which they’ve netted at least five scores, following up a 6-1 result last week, also against Breakers FC.

The U13 and U14’s competition provided tighter contests on the road vs. Diablo Valley Wolves. An early score for the hosts resulted in a tough 1-0 loss for the U14’s, their first of the season. A hat-trick from Jonah Douhab set the tone for the U13 side, who took a 4-1 win.

Table Update

Through the end of January, Sacramento’s academy squads have lost just one match since returning to the pitch January 15 – outscoring their opponents 55 to 11 and claiming points in 10 of 11 contests. The surge has pushed the U13, U15, and U17 sides into sole possession of first place in the Northwest Division, an advantageous place to be with the tough spring schedule ahead. The U14’s trail behind a few of their regional rivals, however, the schedule provides them plenty of opportunity to jump in the table in their next few matches. Looking ahead, all four sides have important regional contests on the docket, next week facing off San Francisco Glens on the road.

Go for Goal: Republic FC Hosts Annual Tryouts Ahead of 2023 Season

With preparations underway for the 2023 USL Championship season, Republic FC’s technical staff is hard at work developing the club’s next roster. For the 10^th year in a row, the region’s best players will have the opportunity to impress the Indomitable Club’s staff – including President & General Manager Todd Dunivant and Head Coach Mark Briggs – and earn a spot on the roster 2023 roster.

Republic FC’s Open Tryouts will take place on Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15 at Hal Bartholomew Sports Park in Elk Grove. With limited spots available, soccer players with dreams of igniting a professional career are encouraged to sign up early. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE – REGISTER TODAY!

Every year since its inception, Republic FC has hosted open tryouts and welcomed at least one player to training camp. Several players—including Ashkanov Apollon, Emrah Klimenta, and Elliot Hord—went on to sign full contracts with the Indomitable Club. The Indomitable Club will look to build on a strong 2022 season that saw Sacramento return to the USL Championship Playoffs and make a historic appearance in the U.S. Open Cup Final – the first time a lower division side reached U.S. Soccer’s National Championship in 14 years.

With eyes set on the 2023 season, the club has already begun building its roster. Including the 16 players that are set to return, Republic FC has also announced the addition of forward Russell Cicerone and defender Jared Timmer, as well as a new multi-year contract for Head Coach Mark Briggs.

For more information on registration and requirements, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Tryouts or e-mail Tryouts@SacRepublicFC.com.

Academy Closes Fall 2022 with Strong Tournament Showing

The final week of play before the holiday break was a major success for Republic FC’s U15 and U17 academy sides. Taking the pitch in a tournament setting, at the annual MLS NEXT Fest showcase in Indio, CA pitted Sacramento against top teams from around the country.

The Results

U15:

December 3: 7-0 Win vs. West Florida Flames

December 6: 5-2 Loss vs. BW Gottschee

December 6: 5-2 Win vs. New York City FC

December 7: 1-0 Win vs. Southern Soccer Academy

U17:

December 3: 2-0 Win vs. RISE SC

December 4: 3-1 Win vs. Real JFC

December 6: 1-0 Win vs. Nomads

The tournament closes out the top half of the 2022-23 season for Sacramento’s youth squads, which started in September. League contests put the U15 and U17 teams through some of their toughest competition yet, including four MLS squads, while the U13 and U14 sides currently have just a single blemish on their record. Through 46 combined contests, the club’s academy registered a collective 30-10-6 record, netting 156 scores and only letting through 59 from opponents.

Since the start of the season, the club’s players have shined at an individual level alongside their team success. Three players earned youth national team invitations since training began in August – U15 forward Chance Cowell received two call-ups to Mexico’s U15 National Team, while teammate Felix Contreras earned an invite to the U.S. U15 National Team Camp the same month. U17 midfielder Blake Willey earned two call-ups to the U.S. U17 National Team, first joining the squad for training camp in August and again for November’s Football Federations Cup in Spain. 10 players were invited to the U.S. YNT Regional Talent ID Center in Santa Clara in October, the most of any club represented.

“It’s been an excellent season so far,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Each of our teams has shown remarkable development. The next few months will be focused on continuing that, and helping every player grow from the challenges they face on the pitch and in training every day.”

Save for one last weekend of action for the U13 and U14 squads, each academy team will get three weeks off to rest before coming back after the New Year. The 2023 side of the schedule is all about league contests with the goal of qualifying for the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs.

Republic FC Prepare Another Youth Player for MLS Opportunity

Earlier this week, Republic FC’s youth pipeline earned another accolade. The Indomitable Club continues its stellar track record of preparing the region’s best players for a shot on the professional stage. Since its inception in 2015, nineteen Republic FC academy players have signed pro contracts, including Tiago Suarez who was announced on Monday.

On Monday, the seventeen-year-old defender signed his first pro contract with MLS side New England Revolution. During the 2022 campaign, Suarez made his debut for the Indomitable Club as a starter on July 24^th against Phoenix Rising. He would go on to log 5 more appearances, with thirteen selections on the season – the most for an academy player this season.

New England has announced that he will join its third-division MLS NEXT Pro side for the 2023 season.

The Rocklin native joined Republic FC’s academy in 2016 from local club Blues FC. He rose through the ranks and was a key contributor to Sacramento’s youth teams, eventually helping the U-19 side to consecutive MLS NEXT Cup appearances in 2021 – reaching the semifinals – and again in 2022.

Suarez is one of five Republic FC youth development players to be called into a national team camp in 2022. The club’s track record of supporting the growth of youth players includes 6 standouts joining MLS clubs or their affiliates, with three being selected in the annual college player selection, MLS SuperDraft.

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Since its inception in 2015, Republic FC’s Youth Development Academy has played at the highest level of youth soccer in North America, providing talented area players with the only youth-to-pro pathway in the Sacramento region. Thirty academy players have earned first-team opportunities on Academy Contracts, which allow players to maintain their amateur status while competing in USL Championship matches. The club’s academy squads have been among the best in the nation, with each team finishing in first place in their respective regional divisions in 2021, and starting the 2022 season with a combined 29-8-5 record.

Academy

The Results

U-13s

U-15s

U-14s

U-17s

Looking Ahead:

The Results

U13s:

U14s:

Looking Ahead

The Results

The Results

Table Update

The Results

U15:

U17:

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