Roster Updates

Sebastian Herrera Signs New Contract Ahead of 2025 Season

Today, Republic FC announced the club has re-signed Sebastian Herrera for the 2025 season. He will be added to the club’s roster for the upcoming campaign pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We’ve seen the impact Sebastian can make to our team, as well as his ability to step up in big moments,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We look forward to having him back on our frontline.”

In his first two years with Republic FC, Herrera has netted 12 goals and three assists in 43 total appearances. He has scored four of those goals in the U.S. Open Cup—tied for third all-time in club history—with three coming against MLS opponents. Earlier this year, he completed Sacramento’s come-from-behind victory over the San Jose Earthquakes with a game-winning goal in the 107^th minute. The score was later voted Play of the Year by the Republic FC players and technical staff.

The 30-year-old striker came to Sacramento after 11 seasons in his native Colombia, as well as Ecuador, where he featured in topflight leagues and amassed 83 goals in 273 matches played. He made his professional debut at 18 in 2012 for his hometown side Real Santander, then in Colombia’s second division. Two stellar seasons to start his career earned him a move to the first division, where he featured for five seasons between 2014 and 2018, with Alianza Petrolera, Junior FC, Jaguares de Córdoba, and Atlético Huila.

Season ticket memberships are now on sale for the 2025 season, offering a range of benefits including discounts on merchandise and access to exclusive fan experiences, as well as priority seats in the new Republic Stadium at The Railyards. For more information, or to purchase a membership today, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Memberships.

In January, the club will host its annual Open Tryout, when the region’s best players get the opportunity to impress the team’s technical staff and earn an invitation to training camp. Registration is open now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tryouts with special early bird pricing through December 31.

Rodrigo Lopez to Return for Seventh Season with Republic FC

Today, Republic FC announced the club has re-signed Rodrigo Lopez for the 2025 season. The veteran midfielder will be added to the club’s roster, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“RoRo is a special player and we’re thrilled to have him back in Sacramento for another season,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We know how much winning another championship means to him, and we are looking forward to his continued leadership, both on and off the field.”

“My injury last season was just a setback and it doesn’t define me,” said Lopez. “I’m ready to respond with everything I’ve got. I’m back and there is only one thing on my mind – to win another championship for this club and the city of Sacramento.”

As the first signing in Indomitable Club history, Lopez has been a fixture in the club’s record books. He is currently the club’s all-time assist leader (41), while also ranking second all-time in appearances (136), minutes (10,108) and goals (41). In six seasons, Lopez earned several accolades including 2014 USL Championship Final MVP and two USL Championship All-League First Team selections (2014, 2022).

He was a standout player in Sacramento’s historic run to the Open Cup Final in 2022 and became the first player to be named both the Player of the Tournament and Lower-Division Player of the Tournament (TheCup.US) after leading all players with four goals and four assists.

In 2024, he was honored when U.S. Soccer renamed the Northern California Round of 32 & Quarterfinal to the “Lopez Division” – the only division to be named after an active player, the Modern Era Open Cup assist leader.

In an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, he made 9 appearances, with two goals and one assist, and earned two Team of the Week selections before suffering a torn ACL on May 21.

Lopez’s professional career began in 2005 with MLS-side Chivas USA. After three seasons with the southern California club, he would move on to compete in USL PDL, MLS Reserve League, and Mexico’s top leagues – Ascenso MX and Liga MX. In addition to his stints with Republic FC, he also featured in USL Championship for Rio Grande Valley FC, helping the team the reach the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals.

Republic FC Adds Former Borussia Dortmund Standout Dominik Wanner

Republic FC announced today that the club has acquired wingback Dominik Wanner ahead of the 2025 season. He will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC, and league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Dominik is a young, versatile wingback that will add a dynamic element to the left flank,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He is dangerous both scoring and creating goals, and we’re looking forward to introducing him to Sacramento.”

The 25-year-old began his youth career with German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and across three seasons recorded 12 goals and five assists in 75 appearances. He won a total of three league championships – two with the U19 squad and one with the U17s. At the national level, he has made 13 total appearances across Germany’s youth teams.

Most recently, he played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Kickers Offenbach of the Regionalliga Südwest, the fourth tier of the German football league. With the club, he scored 16 goals and added six assists in 61 appearances. This past March, Kickers Offenbach won the Landespokal Hessen, a regional tournament that secured the team a spot in the German Cup. Wanner finished the tournament tied for the Golden Boot with four goals, including a hat trick in the Round of 16.

Prior to Kickers Offenbach, Wanner spent a year with the reserve side for Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05, where he made 29 appearances and notched six goals and one assist.

Season ticket memberships are now on sale, offering a range of benefits including discounts on merchandise and access to exclusive fan experiences, as well as priority seats in the new Republic Stadium at The Railyards. For more information, or to purchase a membership today, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Memberships.

Republic FC Announces Initial Roster Decisions for 2025 Season

Republic FC has begun building its roster for the 2025 USL Championship season by exercising roster options on players from the 2024 campaign. Fourteen players are set to return for the club’s 12^th season.

Eight players are under contract with Republic FC for the 2025 season: Lee Desmond, Trevor Amann, Nick Ross, Jack Gurr, Justin Portillo, Chibi Ukaegbu, Da’vian Kimbrough, and Blake Willey. The club is also preparing to exercise contract options for the 2025 season with six players: Jared Mazzola, Jared Timmer, Cristian Parano, Russell Cicerone, Luis Felipe, and Danny Vitiello.

“As we prepare for a new season, we’re in a strong position with the continuity of club veterans and rising talent,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “Our sights remain laser-focused on lifting silverware in 2025 and building a roster that sets us up for sustained success.”

The club will not exercise its contract options to extend Conor Donovan, Rafael Jauregui, Sebastian Herrera, and Jonathan Ricketts. The contracts for Damia Viader and Shane Wiedt will expire at the end of the 2024 season, while Kieran Phillips and Harvey Neville will return to their respective clubs following the completion of their loans. Republic FC remains in active negotiations with Rodrigo Lopez, Aldair Sanchez, and Sebastian Herrera to return for 2025.

In Republic FC’s 11^th season, the club reached the postseason for the 10^th time after remaining in the Western Conference’s Top 3 for 32 consecutive weeks, more than any other team. Its 15 clean sheets ranked second in the league, while its 34 goals conceded and +12 goal differential were the best in the Western Conference. The season opened with 11 undefeated games, the club’s best-ever start and sixth-longest season-opening streak in league history. In the U.S. Open Cup, Republic FC reached the Quarterfinals for the second time in three years with a tournament upset over MLS side San Jose Earthquakes.

Sacramento’s youth academy products continued to impress with the first team, combining for 1,123 regular season minutes and 44 appearances. The Indomitable Club was featured on the Team of the Week 27 times, while Jack Gurr and Danny Vitiello were both selected to the USL Championship All-League Teams and were named finalists for individual league awards.

In January, the club will host its annual Open Tryout, when the region’s best players get the opportunity to impress the team’s technical staff and earn an invitation to training camp. Registration will open later in the month with early bird pricing through December 31.

Republic FC Acquires Striker Kieran Phillips on loan from Huddersfield Town

Joins Republic FC after featuring in four professional seasons in his native England, tallying 91 appearances and 14 goals
Loan is the first transaction between Republic FC and Huddersfield Town; Republic FC Chairman and CEO Kevin Nagle purchased the English side in 2023

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced the club has acquired English striker Kieran Phillips on loan from EFL Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town. Phillips will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC, and league & federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is the first between the two clubs.

“This is an exciting day and a first step as we grow the relationship between these two great clubs,” said Kevin Nagle, Republic FC Chairman and CEO and owner of Huddersfield Town. “Kieran is a talented young player that we think will be a good fit for Republic FC as the club pursues silverware in USL Championship, and this loan is a great example of how we will continue to develop synergies both on and off the pitch.”

A Huddersfield native, Phillips spent his early playing days in the youth system at his hometown club. He later moved to Everton, where he remained for the bulk of his youth career. He signed his first pro contract with the Blues in 2019 after impressing at the U18 level, scoring 11 goals in 12 U18 Premier League matches in 2018/19.

Phillips later returned to Town on loan from Everton in 2020, scoring six goals for the academy side before earning a new contract with his hometown club. He made his professional debut with the first team in January 2021, impressing as a substitute for the Terriers in 11 contests across all competitions. He spent the next three seasons in EFL Sky Bet League Two, first on loan to Walsall (four goals) and later with Exeter City where he scored two goals to help the squad earn promotion. He moved up to Morecambe in EFL Sky Bet League One in 2022, scoring seven times in 10 appearances. After one final loan to Shrewsbury Town in 2023, he was recalled by Huddersfield this past January.

Republic FC is back in action tomorrow, defending home turf against FC Tulsa at Heart Health Park. Since the start of the 2023 season, no club has been stronger at home than Republic FC, claiming 14 USL wins with a goal differential of +25 and 11 clean sheets. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets. The match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40 and Antenna TV 40.2, and streaming on FOX40.com, through the FOX40 News mobile app, and on ESPN+.

About Huddersfield Town AFC

Formed in 1908, Huddersfield Town has one of the proudest histories of any club in English football. Recognized as one of the most successful English clubs of all time, Huddersfield Town was the first to win the English League title three times in a row in 1924, 1925 and 1926. This is a feat that has only been repeated by three other teams; Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

The club has also won the FA Cup on one occasion, in 1922, and this history serves as an inspiration for the future that supporters can be proud of. More recently, Huddersfield Town achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2017 and, off the field, the club is proud of its prestigious position in the wider community, giving back through innovative projects such as our ‘Early Kick-Off’ breakfast clubs, which have served over two million free meals to local schoolchildren.

For more information on the club, please visit htafc.com. For information on their community work, visit htafcfoundation.com.

Republic FC Sign Standout Academy Players Felix Contreras, Luis Gomez to USL Academy Contracts

Felix Contreras and Luis Gomez become the 35th and 36^th academy products to earn first-team opportunities with Republic FC on Academy Contracts
Through three years with the club, Contreras has been selected to participate in four USYNT Regional ID Center sessions
Gomez has been a steady contributor to the club’s U15 squad that has reached MLS Next Cup playoffs in back-to-back years
Republic FC’s development academy is the only area club that provides youth players a direct pathway to first-team, professional development experiences

Sacramento, Calif. – Earlier today, Sacramento Republic FC announced the addition of defender Felix Contreras and midfielder Luis Gomez to the club’s first-team roster, pending league and federation approval. Both players have signed USL Academy contracts, making them eligible to join Republic FC in league matches. Both players are members of Republic FC’s Youth Development Academy.

“As the season begins, we’re excited to provide Luis and Felix the unique opportunity to train, grow, and potentially make their USL debut this season,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “Both players are examples of the incredible talent pool in our region and how the youth development system supports player growth. We’re proud Luis and Felix will continue their journey with their hometown team, as well as the dozens of players who have come through our academy to the professional ranks.”

“Luis and Felix have risen to the challenge presented by the first team staff and earned this opportunity to join the club’s top team,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Our academy continues to grow young players, present them with the chance to compete, and represent Sacramento in high-level competition.”

Felix Contreras of Yuba City joined the club’s youth system in 2021. In his first season, he helped the U14 team to an undefeated season, finishing the year as the squad’s leading scorer with 11 goals. The following year, he was identified as one of the top players in his age group nationwide and earned three invitations to U.S. YNT Regional ID Centers, as well as the opportunity to join the U15 Men’s Youth National Team Talent I.D. Camp in September 2022. This season, Contreras has featured for Republic FC’s U16 and U17 academy teams and has scored two goals in 23 games. Before joining Republic FC, Felix featured for local soccer club, Elk Grove Sporting.

Elk Grove native Luis Gomez joined Republic FC’s Academy in 2021. In his first two seasons, he helped the U15 squad reach the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. He has appeared in 22 contests for the club’s youth sides this season and contributed five goals. Before joining Republic FC’s youth development program, he previously played for local club Select FC. Gomez currently attends Elk Grove Charter School – a proud partner of the club’s Academy – which allows players the flexibility to pursue dual pathways as stellar students and elite athletes.

USL Academy contracts allow academy players the chance to train and compete with the first team in professional matches while retaining their NCAA eligibility. Since its inception in 2015, Republic FC’s Academy has created a strong, local pipeline of youth players ready for professional-level competition, with 34 youth players previously earning the opportunity to join the first team on a USL Academy Contracts, 28 going on to sign professional contracts with Republic FC or other clubs. This season, four members of Republic FC’s first team roster are products of its Youth Development Academy.

Pending league and federation approval, Contreras and Gomez will be available for selection for the club’s season opener this Saturday vs. Orange County SC at Heart Health Park. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets.

Republic FC Signs Defender Jonathan Ricketts Ahead of 2024 Season

Fifth-year defender joins Sacramento after two seasons with Rio Grande Valley FC
Appeared in 29 matches in 2023, tallying three goals and ranking second in the league with 210 duels won

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced the club has signed defender Jonathan Ricketts ahead of the 2024 season. Ricketts will be added to the club’s roster pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Jonathan adds size and bite to our team out wide,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He’s a two-way player that can contribute to the attack but also get stuck in. We think his mentality fits in very well with our group and style of play.”

Ricketts joins Republic FC after two seasons with Western Conference foe Rio Grande Valley FC. With the Toros, he logged 64 appearances across all competitions from 2022-2023, helping the club to the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs. In 2023, he recorded 26 starts on 29 appearances, tallying three goals and two assists. Statistically, he ranked as one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league with 210 duels won – second most in the regular season. He was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week three times and featured in each of his club’s nine clean sheets.

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ricketts launched his professional career in USL League One with his hometown club, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in 2020. He was a standout across two seasons with the club, ranking among the league’s leaders in appearances (44), minutes (3,850) clearances, and interceptions (293) from 2020-2021. He was named to the USL League One Team of the Week on five occasions in the 2021 season as the Red Wolves advanced to the league semifinals for the first time in club history. Before turning pro, he competed collegiately at Bryan College, where he made 70 appearances and recorded 33 goals and 28 assists. He earned Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Conference First Team his junior and senior seasons at Bryan, as well as a spot on the 2019 All-AAC tournament team. Ricketts also featured for Chattanooga’s USL League Two affiliate, Dalton Red Wolves SC, in 2019.

Republic FC continues its preparations for the 2024 USL Championship season. On January 20^th, the club will host its annual Open Tryouts to identify local talent and invite at least one player to join the club for training camp. In 2023, defender Aldair Sanchez earned an invitation to training camp from Open Tryouts, eventually earning a multi-year contract and significant playing time. Registration is open now and more information is available at SacRepublicFC.com/tryouts.

Republic FC Roster as of December 6:

Goalkeepers: Danny Vitiello, Jared Mazzola

Defenders: Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Jack Gurr, Jonathan Ricketts, Aldair Sanchez, Jared Timmer, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Damià Viader, Shane Wiedt

Midfielders: Luis Felipe, Arnold Lopez, Nick Ross, Blake Willey

Forwards: Trevor Amann, Russell Cicerone, Sebastian Herrera, Rafael Jauregui, Da’vian Kimbrough, Rodrigo Lopez, Cristian Parano

Republic FC Adds Goalkeeper Jared Mazzola

Appeared in all but one match for Greenville Triumph SC in 2023, posting six clean sheets
Among league leaders in saves, save percentage, and goals-against average

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced the club has signed goalkeeper Jared Mazzola ahead of the 2024 season. He will be added to the club’s roster pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Jared’s goalkeeping ability caught our attention, but his character and qualities as a teammate really set him apart,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re thrilled to have him join our goalkeeping corps and feel that he’ll be an impactful addition to our roster, on the field and in the locker room.”

Mazzola joins Sacramento following two seasons with USL League One side Greenville Triumph SC. After signing with Greenville ahead of the 2022 season, he earned the starting spot in 2023 and would go on to appear in all but one match, with 33 appearances and nearly 3,000 minutes played across all competitions. He finished second in the league with 88 saves, while his save percentage (67.69) and goals-against average (1.23) were both in the top five for goalkeepers with more than 20 appearances. Behind Mazzola’s six clean sheets, Greenville made its fifth postseason appearance – the only club to play in every playoff tournament since League One’s inception.

Before signing his first professional contract with Greenville, the 24-year-old spent two seasons in USL League Two with AFC Ann Arbor and New York Red Bulls U21. He played collegiately at Quinnipiac University, where he amassed nearly 4,000 minutes, recording 9 shutouts and an overall goals-against average of 1.11. In his senior year, he was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and earned selections to the All-MAAC Team and MAAC All-Academic Team.

Republic FC will continue to build its roster for the 2024 USL Championship season. In January, the club will host its annual Open Tryout, when the region’s best players get the opportunity to impress the team’s technical staff and earn an invitation to training camp. Registration will open early December.

Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.

Republic FC Exercise Contract Options for 2024 Roster

Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC begins its preparation for the 2024 USL Championship season with roster moves at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Seventeen players from the 2023 roster are under contract to return for the 2024 season.

Ten players have active contracts with Republic FC that include the 2024 season: Rafael Jauregui, Cristian Parano, Luis Felipe, Conor Donovan, Sebastian Herrera, Arnold Lopez, Jared Timmer, Russell Cicerone, Danny Vitiello and Da’vian Kimbrough. Earlier this month, Republic FC announced contract extensions for 2023 Golden Glove Winner Vitiello and Defensive Player of the Year nominee Donovan.

The club is preparing to exercise contract options with seven players for the 2024 season: Aldair Sanchez, Damià Viader, Shane Wiedt, Jack Gurr, Lee Desmond, Rodrigo Lopez and Nick Ross.

Republic FC has already begun adding to its roster for 2024. Earlier this month, the club announced the signing of USL League One Player of the Year Trevor Amann, and the addition of academy standouts Chibuike “Chibi” Ukaegbu and Blake Willey to the first team roster on professional contracts.

After an eight-year career with 209 appearances across USL and MLS, Sacramento-native Matt LaGrassa has retired from professional soccer. LaGrassa made his professional debut with his hometown club in 2016 and scored his first professional goal at home later that season. He featured for the Indomitable Club 80 times across 3 seasons, including one of Sacramento’s biggest sporting events in city history – the U.S. Open Cup semifinal win over Sporting Kansas City.

The club will not exercise its contract option with Mario Penagos, Johnny Fenwick, and Zeiko Lewis. Contracts with Panzani Ferrety Sousa, Carlos Saldaña, Keko Gontán and Luther Archimède will expire at the end of the 2023 season.

In the team’s 10^th USL Championship season, Republic FC finished at the top of the Western Conference table with 64 points, the second-best point total in club history, with a record of 18-6-10. During the season, the Indomitable Club held a share of first place or led the Western Conference for 31 weeks out of the 32 matchweeks. The season featured the most home victories in a single season (11), in addition to one of the league’s best road records with seven away wins. Republic FC’s defense led the league, only conceding 26 goals in regular season play, while recording 14 shutouts – a new club high. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello claimed the Golden Glove award with a 0.83 goals against average.

On offense, Republic FC scored 51 goals – a new club season high – finishing tied for 6^th in the league. First year forward Russell Cicerone led the team with 15 goals, tied for 6^th in the Golden Boot race. The club’s four all-league selections – a new club record, (Donovan, Gurr, Vitiello, Cicerone) were the most for any club in USL Championship this season, as well as all four players and Head Coach Mark Briggs selection as finalists for the league’s end of season awards.

Season ticket memberships for Republic FC’s 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.

Republic FC Roster as of November 28, 2023

Goalkeepers: Danny Vitiello

Defenders: Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Jack Gurr, Aldair Sanchez, Jared Timmer, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Damià Viader, Shane Wiedt

Midfielders: Luis Felipe, Arnold Lopez, Nick Ross, Blake Willey

Forwards: Trevor Amann, Russell Cicerone, Sebastian Herrera, Rafael Jauregui, Da’vian Kimbrough, Rodrigo Lopez, Cristian Parano

Republic FC Signs 16-year-old Academy Standouts Chibuike Ukaegbu and Blake Willey to Pro Contracts

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced that the club has signed two standout players from its Youth Development Academy to first team professional contracts. Midfielder Blake Willey (pronunciation: Will-ee), and defender Chibuike “Chibi” Ukaegbu (pronunciation: Chi-bee-Kay oo-Kay-boo) will be added to the club’s first team roster for the 2024 season pending league and federation approval. Willey and Ukaegbu become the seventh and eighth players to rise through the club’s youth system and sign a professional contract with their hometown club.

“Today is a very exciting day for youth soccer in our region,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “It’s important to us to advance local products through the ranks, and today’s signings are reflective of our Academy’s continuous hard work developing elite talent. Both Chibi and Blake have very bright futures ahead of them and will be important pieces as we complete for silverware in 2024 and beyond.”

“Blake and Chibi each worked incredibly hard on the field this past season and proved they fit in with our first team squad,” said Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs. “Their signing is a great example of the character and talent within our club and the Sacramento region, and it is exciting to see them take the next step to begin their professional careers.”

Both players, each Sacramento area natives, featured for locally-based youth clubs prior to joining Republic FC – Willey for Sacramento United and Ukaegbu for FC Sporting. Throughout the 2023 season, each earned opportunities in training with the club’s professional squad through the Academy’s High Potential Player program. In April, Willey signed an Academy Contract, making him eligible to compete in USL Championship matches, and was twice named to the matchday roster in the regular season.

Ukaegbu, 16, joins the club’s professional squad after two seasons in the club’s academy system. He appeared in 60 matches as a defender for the club’s youth sides since 2021, scored three goals, and helped the club’s U15 and U17 teams reach the 2022 and 2023 MLS NEXT Cup playoffs and this fall’s USL Academy U-20 side challenge for the NorCal Division title. After joining Republic FC’s academy, he was identified as one of the top youth players in Northern California, and earned an invitation to the Fall YNT Regional ID Center in San Jose. Throughout Republic FC’s 2023 USL Championship season, Ukaegbu earned opportunities to train with the club’s first team, including action in preseason friendlies against other professional clubs.

Willey, 16, has featured at every age level since joining Republic FC’s academy in 2017. The midfielder was voted the team MVP of Sacramento’s U-15 side for the 2021-22 Academy season when his squad advanced to the semifinals of MLS NEXT Cup, the only non-MLS club to reach that phase of the tournament. Since 2022, he has earned three call-ups to the United States Youth National Team – twice to the U-16’s, including a trip to Spain for an international tournament where he was the only representative from a USL-affiliated academy squad – and once to the U-17’s this past October. This season, he’s been a key contributor to his academy squad’s undefeated start to the season, which includes wins over MLS-affiliated opponents Seattle Sounders FC, San Jose Earthquakes, and Real Salt Lake.

Since 2015, Republic FC’s Academy has created a strong local pipeline of players ready for professional level competition. Thirty-seven elite players from the club’s youth ranks have featured for the club’s first team, including 34 on a USL Academy Contract. 23 players have gone on to sign professional contracts with Republic FC or other clubs after featuring in the club’s Academy system. In 2023, eight players that featured in the club’s academy system recorded minutes with Republic FC’s first team in USL Championship or U.S. Open Cup matches.

Both Willey and Ukaegbu are currently enrolled at Elk Grove Charter School, the club’s education partner. Since 2021, the partnership has allowed students the ability to continue to focus on their education, while continuing a pathway as elite athletes. Current and former members of Republic FC’s academy have attended Elk Grove Charter School to continue their education while pursuing their pathway to the professional ranks.

For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com.

Roster Updates

Republic FC Roster as of December 6:

Republic FC Roster as of November 28, 2023

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