Hometown: Sacramento, California
Nationality: United States
Previous Club: Republic FC Youth Academy
Joined Republic FC: November 17, 2023 (signed pro contract out of Republic FC Youth Academy)
Career Bio
Had a breakout year in 2025. Became the second youngest player to start for SRFC in a season opener and went on to make 44 appearances across all competitions. In league play, he set a new record for homegrown players with 27 appearances, 19 starts, and 1,590 minutes. He added 3 assists (recorded his first career assist on July 4) and earned 2 Team of the Week selections.
Was named to the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team for the 2025 UEFA Friendship Cup and played in all 4 matches to help the team win the Championship trophy. Was later selected to the U-19 team alongside Chibi Ukaegbu for training camp & international friendlies in Wales.
Made his pro debut on March 16, 2024 – became the 6th academy graduate to debut for the club.
A Sacramento native, Willey signed a professional contract in November 2022 after featuring in the club’s Youth Development Academy since he was ten years old. In 2023, he was a member of Republic FC’s 2023 roster on an Academy Contract, being selected twice to the matchday roster for USL Championship contests and trained with the first team throughout the season.
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 in October 2023.
Milestones & Honors
- Called into U.S. U-19 Men’s Youth National Team Training Camp (November 2025)
- 2025 UEFA Friendship Cup Champion – U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team (May 2025)
- Called into U.S. U-17 Men’s Youth National Team Training Camp (October 2023)
- Called into U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Training Camp (August 2022, November 2022)
