September 4, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
With the start of the 2024/25 MLS NEXT season this weekend, the Republic FC Youth Academy will celebrate its 10th year. Six squads will represent the Indomitable Club in the country’s top youth division, while the U19s will also play in USL Academy.
As the only youth amateur to pro pathway in Sacramento, the academy has always drawn the region’s top players, and this year is sure to be no different as the club continues to represent the Indomitable City in league play and on the national stage.
“We’re excited to get the season underway,” said Republic FC Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “In our first nine years, we’ve already achieved so much success as a club and as a soccer community. We’re looking forward to continuing that tradition this year, helping our players to reach their full potential on and off the field.”
2023/24 Recap
Republic FC was one of the top youth clubs in the country last season, with all teams combining for an overall record of 127 wins, 13 losses, and 20 draws in MLS NEXT play. The U15, U16, and U17 all claimed the Northwest Division title in their respective age groups, making Sacramento one of just six clubs to secure three division titles and punching their ticket to the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
The younger teams closed out their seasons by lifting the U13 and U14 trophies at the Copa Rayados tournament in Las Vegas.
A Strong Start
All six squads got their first taste of competition in the National Premier Cup over the weekend, among a field of teams representing clubs from MLS, Liga MX, and more, combining for a 18-4-2 record and two trophies.
The U16s went undefeated on the weekend and did not allow a single goal through five games, with goalkeeper Angel Ramirez coming up huge with a penalty save in the final. With new academy coach Juan Aguilar at the helm, the U19 squad posted a perfect 5-0-0 record. 17-year-old Blake Willey joined the team for the weekend and led the squad with three goals and four assists, while Da’vian Kimbrough added three assists and the game-winning score. This will be the second year that the 14-year-old will play with the club’s oldest academy team.
The Season Ahead
This year, the club will feature youth squads in the same age groups as last year – U13, U14, U15, U16, and U17. After skipping a season, the club will field a U19 team to compete in both MLS NEXT and USL Academy, the…