Republic FC’s youth squads kept their strong form going this past weekend as the U15s, U16s, and U17s defended home turf in a trio of games against Ballistic United. Clean sheet wins for the U15s and U17s, and a win in a 3-2 result for the U16s marked the third straight unbeaten weekend for the club’s youth squads.
Recap: Republic FC v Ballistic United
U15s: 5-0 Win vs. Ballistic United
U16s: 3-2 Win vs. Ballistic United
U17s: 2-0 Win vs. Ballistic United
Sacramento’s U16 side kicked off the day with a come-from-behind win vs. their Bay Area foes. Scoring was plentiful early as the visitors found the net to take a 1-0 advantage just five minutes into the match. However, a brace from Sacramento’s Amr Alsaidi helped bring the club back before the break and go into halftime tied two scores apiece. Mid-way through the second half, Luke Strassburg netted the winner for the Indomitable Club as they secured three points.
The club’s U15 and U17 sides each followed with clean sheet performances. The U17s took the lead early and never looked back, with a 5th-minute score from Zachary Looney going down as the decider. Jackson Martin added an insurance score at the half-hour mark before the squad’s backline locked down their opponent for the remainder of the match. The U15s wrapped up the day with a 5-0 win, led by a brace from Salem Chandler.
Player Spotlight
The club’s youth squads have been in top form in recent weeks, recording 20 wins, two losses, and three draws since league play resumed in January and defeating top competition. A pair of offensive players have been key to big results for their squads.
For the U16s, Amr Alsaidi has been a difference maker up top. Following a two-goal performance in his squad’s 3-2 victory Sunday, Alsaidi has netted a brace in two straight weekends. He put in two last weekend as the U16s defeated their counterparts from SF Glens 4-0, and scored two this weekend as the U16s came from behind against Ballistic United in a 3-2 victory.
For the U17s, forward Jackson Martin has been the Academy’s most dangerous player on the offensive end. After returning from a knee injury in January, he has netted seven scores in six games played, including five last weekend in two games against Diablo Valley and SF Glens. This past week, he netted his squad’s second goal in a 2-0 win.
