August 16, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – Another Republic FC Academy player is being called up to the national stage. Earlier today, U.S. Soccer announced that Blake Willey has been selected to participate in the upcoming U16 Boys’ National Team Training Camp in Chula Vista, California, from August 18 to 24. This is Willey’s first call-up to a national team training camp, after previously participating in Youth National Team Regional Identification programs. He is the only participant representing a USL club and one of just two players not representing an MLS club.
“Blake is a very hard working and committed player,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “He has impressed us since joining our academy in 2018, we’re thrilled for him to get this recognition at the national level.”
A Sacramento native, Willey featured for the club’s U15 squad during the 2021-2022 season. The midfielder played every minute of the season – including the MLS NEXT Cup tournament – adding two goals and one assist en route to an undefeated regular season and semifinal berth at the MLS NEXT Cup – the only USL team to do so. Upon his return from Chula Vista, Willey will rejoin the academy as it trains for the upcoming MLS NEXT season which will start competition in September.
All five of Republic FC’s academy teams had a stellar 2021-2022 season. In league play, they combined for an outstanding record of 91 wins and just two losses, with all five teams finishing at the top of their division and qualifying for postseason play. At the MLS Next Cup and Showcase, they had an overall record of eight wins, five losses, and two draws – with the U19 squad reaching the Round of 16 and Willey’s U15’s making it to the Semifinals. In 2020-2021, the club saw the U17 and U19 squads reach the Semifinals and were the only club in the country to achieve that feat.
With his selection, Willey becomes the fourth academy player selected to a national team training camp this year and 18th player to receive an invitation since the program’s inception in 2015. Other call-ups this year include U19 forward J.P. Cortez for the Guatemala U-20’s, Santiago Suarez – currently on a USL Academy Contract with Sacramento’s first team – who was the sole USL Championship participant in the July U19 U.S. Youth Men’s National Team camp – and Willey’s teammate Chance Cowell, who received two training camp invitations to Mexico’s…