Elk Grove Charter School

Republic FC is calling on the region’s top youth players to come out for the opportunity to join the Indomitable Club. On April 23 and 25, the club is hosting tryout sessions at Cosumnes River College for payers interested in joining its youth development academy teams for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Tryouts are open to players born in 2009-2014 and registration is open now at SacRepublicFC.com/Academy-Tryouts.

Republic FC’s academy teams compete at the highest level of youth soccer in North America – MLS NEXT. The club’s squads have challenged for national hardware every year, sending at least one team to the annual MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. The oldest squad (U19) also competes in the USL Academy League. With a programming and training opportunities, players on the club’s older academy teams are one step away from joining training sessions, preparing for college soccer, and laying the foundation for long-term success.

From 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., players will have an opportunity to showcase their skills for Republic FC’s coaching and talent identification staff, including Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. The club’s youth development system offers the region’s only youth-to-pro pathway in the region, while also preparing players for the collegiate ranks and offering opportunities to train and complete with the First Team.

This season, Republic FC’s First Team features three players from its academy: Blake Willey, Chibi Ukaegbu, and Da’vian Kimbrough. Willey impressed in his first two appearances in 2025, and on March 8 became the second youngest Republic FC player to start in a season opener. Last week, the club also added four players – Jackson Martin, Jackson Montero, Jayden Fitzgerald Boes, and Diego Mellado – to the First Team roster on USL Academy contracts, allowing them to play for professional side without losing their college eligibility.

Since 2015, Republic FC’s academy has developed hundreds of young players. Over 80 players have gone on to feature at college soccer programs across the nation, including eight who committed to Division I programs this past fall. The club continues to also elevate players to the international ranks, with over 70 invitations to national team programs, including training camps, Talent I.D. Centers, and international competitions.

Republic FC’s development academy continues to help the region’s young players develop their skills on and off the pitch. Just last week, four players from Republic FC’s U19 squad were signed to USL Academy contracts adding to the over 40 players who’ve been invited to join the first team. And during the weekend, eight young players had the opportunity to show their skill at the U.S. Soccer a Talent ID Center in Orinda, California.

U.S. Soccer Talent ID Centers (IDCs) serve as an opportunity for the country’s top talents to train and play games under the direction of U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Managers and are designed to evaluate players for Youth National Team rosters. 

This is the second selection in the last two months for the U14 players. All five were invited to participate in a mini ID Camp at the Chula Vista Elite Training Center in March. Galvan, Quintanilla, and Webb were among a group of 10 Republic FC players selected to a Talent ID Center in November 2024.

Republic FC academy players continue to earn youth national team program selections. Since the launch of the club’s Youth Academy in 2015, over 65 players have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage, showcase their talents in Youth National Team camps, or be invited to U.S. YNT Regional ID Center sessions alongside other top youth players. Last December, U17 goalkeeper was selected to Nicaragua’s U17 Boys National Team for the Concacaf U17 qualifiers, where the team went undefeated.

This weekend, standout youth players from the West Coast are gathering SoCal to participate in a U.S. Soccer Mini I.D. Camp at the Chula Vista Elite Training Center. Among the group, five players are representing Republic FC.

Jesus Esparza, Raul Garcia, Bryson Lopez, Troy Raneses, and Jayden Staines have been selected to participate in the training camp, offering an opportunity for them to train and play games under the direction of U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Managers. All four players feature for Republic FC’s U-14 squad, which has posted a 12-4-4 record and a +36 goal differential through two-thirds of the season.

Esparza, Lopez, and Staines were previously invited to a talent I.D. Center in November 2024, along with seven players from the U-15 team. This is the first invitation for Raneses.

Republic FC academy players continue to earn youth national team program selections. Since the launch of the club’s Youth Academy in 2015, over 65 players have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage, showcase their talents in Youth National Team camps, or be invited to U.S. YNT Regional ID Center sessions alongside other top youth players.

Today at 1:00 p.m., Republic FC goalkeeper Tumac Cerna-Herrera will join Nicaragua’s U17 Boys National Team for its opening match in the 2025 Concacaf U17 Qualifiers. Cerna-Herrera was named to the competition roster after joining the squad at training camp in January.

This will be Tumac’s first international competition. After a standout start to the 2024-25 academy season, he earned his first call up to join Nicaragua’s U17 team for training camp in November. For the tournament, Nicaragua has been drawn to Group C with Mexico, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica. After round-robin play, the group winner will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The 16-year-old is the latest of Republic FC’s homegrown players to represent the Indomitable Club with their respective national teams, combining for 19 selections since the start of 2024. Earlier this year, defender Chibi Ukaegbu joined the U20 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team for training camp and scrimmages against the U.S. Men’s National Team and Nashville SC.

Since the launch of the club’s Youth Academy in 2015, over 70 players have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage, participating in various national team programs including training camps, competitions, and Regional ID Centers. 

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This Spring, Republic FC will host another session of the Republic Elite Development Program, an opportunity for local youth players to participate in exclusive training sessions with Republic FC Academy and youth programming coaches. The five-part series of weekly programs will provide a competitive environment for boys and girls aged 10-16 to grow their skills and showcase their abilities under the direction of the club’s professionally licensed coaches. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Republic-Elite.

As high school athletes across the country participate in today’s National Signing Day, Republic FC celebrates the next group of academy players that will continue their soccer journey at the collegiate level. Joined by family, coaches, and teammates, eight athletes signed their letters of commitment to represent the Indomitable Club at universities across the country.

Through 10 seasons, Republic FC’s academy has propelled hundreds of young players into the next stage of their soccer journey. Over 80 graduates have moved into college programs, including nearly 40 who have received academic and athletic honors from the Big Ten, Pac-12, MVC, United Soccer Coaches, Big 8, Ivy League, and more.

It’s a step that isn’t always guaranteed for young athletes. According to the NCAA, only about six percent of high school soccer players participate at the collegiate level, and only one percent of the country’s 450,000 high school players feature for a Division I program.

These eight players also represent the wide range of local youth clubs that continue to make Northern California one of the top competitive regions in the country. In addition to Republic FC, they have also featured for San Juan Soccer Club, Sac United, Placer United, Roseville Premier, Select FC, Association Football Club, and Blues FC.

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This Spring, Republic FC will host another session of the Republic Elite Development Program, an opportunity for local youth players to participate in exclusive training sessions with Republic FC Academy and youth programming coaches. The five-part series of weekly programs will provide a competitive environment for boys and girls aged 10-16 to grow their skills and showcase their abilities under the direction of the club’s professionally licensed coaches. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Republic-Elite.

It’s been a busy first half of the season for Republic FC’s youth squads. Building on last year’s success in which three teams claimed the Northwest Division title in their respective age groups, the academy came out hungry in 2024, combining for a 57-10-15 record and a remarkable goal differential of +193, as well as claiming four tournament trophies.

And as the region’s top players continue to impress among the ranks of MLS NEXT and USL Academy, Republic FC continues to lead local clubs for call ups to national team programs, including three recent invitations.

Sacramento’s U17 squad has represented on the global stage in the past two months as goalkeeper Tumac Cerna-Herrera and midfielder Kevin Gonzalez both earned their first-ever national team call ups for Nicaragua and Guatemala, respectively. Through December, the U17s have earned eight wins, three draws, and just one loss, while posting seven clean sheets.

U16 defender Judah Fisher got his first taste of international competition, playing up an age group with Rwanda’s U17 team for a recent training camp and qualifying matches for the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. After opening the year with a championship at the National Premier Cup, Fisher and the U16s have gone undefeated nine of their first 14 matches and are currently ranked fourth in the U16 MLS NEXT Northwest Division Power Rankings.

Cerna-Herrera, Gonzalez, and Fisher now join the group of over 60 Republic FC Academy players that have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage.

After opening the 2024-25 season with a combined record of 13 wins, three draws, and no losses, 10 players from Republic FC’s U-14 and U-15 squads will represent the Indomitable Club at an upcoming Talent ID Center hosted by U.S. Soccer.

U.S. Soccer Talent ID Centers (IDCs) serve as an opportunity for the country’s top talents to train and play games under the direction of U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Managers, and are designed to evaluate players for Youth National Team rosters. 

Sacramento’s homegrown players have earned two National Team selections this year. Just last month, Chibi Ukaegbu joined the U-19 Men’s Youth National Team for a training camp that included international friendlies. He was named to the Starting XI for the team’s 3-2 victory against Japan. Da’vian Kimbrough earned his first National Team selection, joining a domestic training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia after attending a Talent ID Center earlier in the year.

Republic FC academy players continue to earn youth national team program selections. Since the launch of the club’s Youth Academy in 2015, over 60 players have been selected to represent their respective nations on the international stage, showcase their talents in Youth National Team camps, or be invited to U.S. YNT Regional ID Center sessions alongside other top youth players.

With the start of the 2024/25 MLS NEXT season this weekend, the Republic FC Youth Academy will celebrate its 10^th 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.

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 United Soccer League’s top youth competition.

Club Leadership

Republic FC’s coaching staff remains a key to its long-standing success. Academy Director Eder Quintanilla is back for his fifth season with the club and will coach the U20 squad in USL Academy action. He is joined by two returning coaches from the 2023 season: Brian Willey, who has been with the academy since its inception in 2015, will coach the U13s, while David Jimenez leads the U15 and U16 squads after serving in a variety of roles in the club.

In May, the club announced the addition of Juan Aguilar and Axel Duarte, who will coach the U17 & U19 and U14 teams, respectively. The technical staff is rounded out by Strength & Conditioning Coach Oscar Galvan and Academy Operations Manager Ben Kamm.  

The club’s academy continues to attract and develop the top coaches in youth and professional soccer. Most recently, U.S. Soccer announced Mikey Varas as the Interim Head Coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Varas spent time with Republic FC in the 2016/17 season. Others include Republic FC First Team Head Coach Mark Briggs and Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez, who have both previously served as Academy Director.

The MLS NEXT season kicks off this weekend as all six of Republic FC’s youth sides face off with Sacramento United. On Sunday, the U19s will match up against Academica in USL Academy.

Republic FC’s youth development academy has been the region’s strongest system at preparing players for the next step in their soccer careers. This season, four homegrowns represent the club’s first team – the most in a single season in club history – and over 25 others represent professional clubs at various levels around the world. 

But the club’s youth ranks have also made their mark on the collegiate level – including here in the Sacramento region at Sacramento State and UC Davis. Back in February of this year, Sacramento State Soccer announced five additions to its roster for 2024 – Midfielder Sean Battistessa, defenders Giovanni Ceja, Jonathan Dadzie, Angad Singh and forward Donovan Sessoms – each joining the Hornets after spending their developmental years in the Quails youth system. They are joined by freshman Ethan Kelly who has previously featured on the First Team as an academy player.

Prior to joining the North Carolina State and Pacific, respectively, Ceja and Dadzie earned multiple opportunities with the club’s first team squad, signing Academy Contracts during the 2021 season. Battistessa played five years with the club’s academy, initially joining the Kentucky Wildcats in 2022. Singh was a part of SRFC’s academy program from 2017-23, during which he helped his U17 side to a berth in the MLS NEXT playoffs three years in a row. Sessoms represented Republic FC prior to joining the Men’s squad at UNLV. All five players represented Republic FC through 2022 – and four of them were members of the club’s 2021 U19 squad that challenged for national hardware and reached the MLS NEXT Cup semifinals in Dallas, Texas.

Kelly signed an Academy Contract with Republic FC’s first team in 2023 after joining the youth program in 2017 and helping his squad reach the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in back-to-back years. He made his first team debut on April 5, 2023 in a thrilling 5-4 a.e.t. win over Crossfire Premier in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

The fresh faces join four other players already representing Republic FC on Hornets’ Men’s roster – the nine former Quails now making up over a third of the Hornets’ roster continuing to represent their hometown.

Now, the Quail alumni and the 2024 Hornet squad will kick off its season with a double-header matchup this week. Starting by hosting Utah Valley at Hornet Field on Thursday, August 22, the Hornets look to claim their third victory in the three-game series. Then on Sunday, Sacramento will be Berkely bound as they face the Golden Bears for the two clubs first match-up since 2018.

This Saturday is also Sacramento State College Night at Heart Health Park, where Republic FC will host Western Conference rival San Antonio FC for an 8:00 p.m.kick-off. The night will feature a special halftime performance from the Sac State Marching Band, Alumni vs Current Students Trivia, and more. Don’t miss the chance to see the beloved Herky, as he helps cheer on the crowd!

Since 2015, Republic FC has provided a top-tier training environment for youth players and the only youth-to-pro pathway in the Sacramento region. But it’s not just the players that are standing out on the American soccer team, but the technical staff that have gone on to reach the ranks of USL Championship, MLS, and the international stage – now including the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Stateside, several academy coaches have risen up to join the first team technical staff – including current Head Coach Mark Briggs, as well as 2018-19 Head Coach Simon Elliott and Assistant Coach Ben Ziemer. Others have moved up the professional ranks at different clubs. Former Academy Director Dennis Sanchez was named the Head Coach for USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights ahead of the 2024 season and added Mirkovic to his staff. Over in Oakland, former academy coaches Jordan Ferrell and Gavin Glinton have joined forces as Technical Director and Interim Head Coach, respectively.

In its first nine seasons, Republic FC’s academy has developed hundreds of young players, with 44 rising through the ranks and earning opportunities with the club’s professional squad. Over 70 players have gone on to feature at college soccer programs across the nation including at the NCAA Division I level, and 60 have earned an invitation to participate with youth national team programs, including Training and ID Camps and Regional ID Center sessions. This season, Republic FC’s first team boasts six homegrown players from its academy system on the first team roster.

The academy recently returned to play, beginning preparations for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. The MLS NEXT season will kick off in September.