Next week, Republic FC’s Youth Academy is hosting tryouts for the region’s top youth players to show their skills and join its ranks. Registration is open now at SacRepublicFC.com/Academy for select age groups – including players born in 2006 and 2007 interested in continuing their development with the club’s U19 team for the 2024/25 season.
The club’s U19 squad will allow players opportunities to remain immersed in a top developmental environment through every step of their youth career and prepare for the next level, whether in college or the pro ranks. The Indomitable Club has a strong history of developing top youth players – since the club’s academy launched in 2015, 16 homegrown players have taken the field for their hometown club, with eight signing pro contracts. Thirty-six players have earned opportunities to train and compete with the pro squad on USL Academy Contracts, and over 70 have gone on to compete at the college level.
Sacramento’s U19 squads have been among the best in the country, reaching the semifinals of the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in 2021, and returning to the tournament and reaching the Round of 16 in 2022.
Republic FC continues to benefit from its academy system with six homegrown players on this season’s roster. All six – defenders Chibi Ukaegbu and Felix Contreras, midfielders Blake Willey and Luis Gomez, and forward Rafael Jauregui and Da’vian Kimbrough – have earned at least one selection to the matchday roster in USL Championship play this season. Jauregui featured in the starting XI for Republic FC on opening night vs. Orange County SC – and Willey made his professional debut in Week 2 at Miami FC on March 16.
Republic FC’s Academy tryouts for the 2024/25 season are set for April 29 and 30 from Cosumnes River College. For more information or to register, interested players can visit SacRepublicFC.com/Academy.
