Sacramento Republic FC Academy’s U-17/18 team’s strong performance of the pitch during their inaugural season earned the team three 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) End-of-Year Awards.
Republic FC U-17/18s goalkeeper Cameron Douglas and defender Nabilai Kibunguchy were both named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Starting XI for the West Conference, while U-18/17s Head Coach Benjamin Ziemer was named West Conference Coach of the Year.
Sacramento Republic FC Academy’s U-17/18 team’s strong performance of the pitch during their inaugural season earned the team three 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) End-of-Year Awards.
Republic FC U-17/18s goalkeeper Cameron Douglas and defender Nabilai Kibunguchy were both named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Starting XI for the West Conference, while U-18/17s Head Coach Benjamin Ziemer was named West Conference Coach of the Year.
Douglas earned the only Starting XI Goalkeeper spot in the West Conference. The U-17/18s goalkeeper was called up from the Republic FC U-15/16s team after a series of injuries left the U-17/18s short on goalkeepers. The change in age division didn’t faze Douglas, who started all in all 25 of his appearances and also earned himself a call up to the U.S. Men’s U-18s National Team in May for a training camp in Mexico.
Douglas earned the only Starting XI Goalkeeper spot in the West Conference. The U-17/18s goalkeeper was called up from the Republic FC U-15/16s team after a series of injuries left the U-17/18s short on goalkeepers. The change in age division didn’t faze Douglas, who started all in all 25 of his appearances and also earned himself a call up to the U.S. Men’s U-18s National Team in May for a training camp in Mexico.
Defender Kibunguchy was one of four defenders picked for the West Conference’s Starting XI. Kibunguchy was a key member of the U-18s backline that helped the team post just eight losses in 32 matches. Kibunguchy was also called up to the ranks of the U.S. Youth National team, helping the U.S. U-19 Men’s National capture the 2016 Slovakia Cup title.
Both Douglas and Kibunguchy were part a disciplined Republic FC U-18s backline that had the third lowest number of goals allowed in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The two were joined in defense by two more players with international experience. Defender David Burns received a call up in January 2016 to a U.S. Men’s U-20s National Team camp, while fellow defender Mackenzie Harrington received a call up for the Canada Men’s U-18s National Team in April 2015.
Kibunguchy, who graduated this year, has committed to playing for the University of California, Davis. As a sophomore, Douglas will still be able to play for Republic FC’s Academy next season.
On the heels of Republic FC’s U-17/18 Academy team’s standout inaugural season—where they advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs—Ziemer was named U-17/18 Western Conference Coach of the Year.
Zimer led Republic FC’s U-17/18 team to regular record of 17-8-7, second place in the division and fourth overall in the Western Conference, easily advancing to the group stage of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. After going undefeated in group play, Republic FC’s U-17/18s were knocked out of the Playoffs after a 3-5 quarterfinal match loss to Northwest Division Champions the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy.
The 2016-2017 Academy season beings in early September 2016. To learn more about the USSDA, visit ussoccerda.com.
Defender Kibunguchy was one of four defenders picked for the West Conference’s Starting XI. Kibunguchy was a key member of the U-18s backline that helped the team post just eight losses in 32 matches. Kibunguchy was also called up to the ranks of the U.S. Youth National team, helping the U.S. U-19 Men’s National capture the 2016 Slovakia Cup title.
Both Douglas and Kibunguchy were part a disciplined Republic FC U-18s backline that had the third lowest number of goals allowed in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The two were joined in defense by two more players with international experience. Defender David Burns received a call up in January 2016 to a U.S. Men’s U-20s National Team camp, while fellow defender Mackenzie Harrington received a call up for the Canada Men’s U-18s National Team in April 2015.
Kibunguchy, who graduated this year, has committed to playing for the University of California, Davis. As a sophomore, Douglas will still be able to play for Republic FC’s Academy next season.
On the heels of Republic FC’s U-17/18 Academy team’s standout inaugural season—where they advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs—Ziemer was named U-17/18 Western Conference Coach of the Year.
Zimer led Republic FC’s U-17/18 team to regular record of 17-8-7, second place in the division and fourth overall in the Western Conference, easily advancing to the group stage of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. After going undefeated in group play, Republic FC’s U-17/18s were knocked out of the Playoffs after a 3-5 quarterfinal match loss to Northwest Division Champions the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy.
The 2016-2017 Academy season beings in early September 2016. To learn more about the USSDA, visit ussoccerda.com.
