Sacramento Republic FC Academy’s U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams are back in action at Cosumnes River College Stadium this Saturday, Apr. 9, as they face off against their fellow Northern California club the San Jose Earthquakes Academy. Both teams are looking to continue their push for playoffs in the U.S. Development Academy program.
“We need to keep doing what we having been doing, and sticking to our plan of developing and being consistent,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood about the upcoming matches.
This past Saturday, the Republic FC U-15/16 team snatched a point at Starfire Sports Complex against Seattle Sounders FC’s Academy in one of two away matches played over the weekend. Republic FC got on the score sheet first in the 25th minute after an own goal from Sounders FC, but the home team would rectify their mistake and make it 2-1 in their favor by the 54th minute. However, in the 60th minute Matteo Sorrentino slotted home a penalty kick for Republic FC, rescuing a crucial road point.
After the 2-2 draw with Seattle on Saturday, the Republic FC U-15/16 team went on to soundly defeat the Portland Timbers 4-1 on Sunday with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr., Leopoldo Hernandez and Alejandro Perez. Brewer is currently ranked 10th in the Western Conference goals scored leaders board.
Currently ranked fifth in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference and holding a wildcard spot for playoffs, the U-15/16s look to better their playoff position with a positive result against the San Jose Earthquakes Academy on Saturday. The Earthquakes’ U-15/16 team comes into the match off a 1-1 draw versus De Anza Force back in early March. The team is third in the Northwest Division U-15/16 standings, but are just three points ahead of Republic FC. The Earthquakes hold a record of 12-8-3.
Spearheading their attack will be Arda Bulut, one of the most lethal strikers in the entire U-15/16 U.S. Development Academy. Bulut is currently ranked first in the Western Conference and second overall in the goals scored leaders board, with 21 goals in 22 games played.
For their part, Republic FC’s Academy U-17/18 team look extend their seven-match win streak and stay atop of the Western Conference Northwest Division this weekend. The team surpassed Vancouver for the division top spot after back-to-back wins last weekend away at Seattle and Portland.
Against Seattle Sounders FC, the Republic FC Academy U-17/18’s took a 1-0 win with a goal from Alexis Dionicio. In their second match of the weekend, an own goal from the Portland Timbers and a goal a piece for Joseph Restani and Francis Avoce secured the top spot in the Northwest Division for Republic FC. The U-17/18s are currently also the second ranked team overall in the Western Conference.
The San Jose Earthquakes U-17/18 team has not played a match since March 5, when they defeated De Anza Force 2-0. Despite winning two of their last three matches and drawing the other, the Earthquakes U-17/18 team is not in a playoff position and need a win this Saturday to keep their playoff hopes strong. The Earthquakes are in fifth place in the Northwest Division with a record of 8-10-5, five points from a wildcard position and 10 points from a playoff spot.
Overall, the Republic FC Academy has had a great inaugural season in the U.S. Development Academy. After a rocky start, the U-17/18 team has dominated their division since November, losing just once since then. With last weekend’s results, the U-17/18’s finally surpassed Vancouver Whitecaps FC to claim the top spot in the Northwest Division standings. They hold a record of 15-4-5.
“What really has set us apart [our inaugural season] is Tte work that we’ve put in,” said Underwood. “We have had a high expectation level from day one. We’ve mad some our demands very taxing on our players. We’ve had a way we wanted to play and style we wanted to play. Our coaches are organized too. We have a lot of excellence, which isn’t once a week or twice a week. It’s a long term process and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
The U-15/16 team bounced back from five straight losses in January and February to seize one of two wildcard slots in the Northwest Division and are riding a five-match unbeaten streak. With another win this Saturday, they would tie with the Earthquakes and be in a great position to snatch a direct playoff spot.
Both matches will be played at Cosumnes River College Stadium this Saturday, Apr. 9. Kick off for the U-15/16 match is 4:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. for the U-17/18 match. All Academy matches at Cosumnes River College Stadium are free and open to the public.
Sacramento Republic FC Academy’s U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams are back in action at Cosumnes River College Stadium this Saturday, Apr. 9, as they face off against their fellow Northern California club the San Jose Earthquakes Academy. Both teams are looking to continue their push for playoffs in the U.S. Development Academy program.
“We need to keep doing what we having been doing, and sticking to our plan of developing and being consistent,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood about the upcoming matches.
This past Saturday, the Republic FC U-15/16 team snatched a point at Starfire Sports Complex against Seattle Sounders FC’s Academy in one of two away matches played over the weekend. Republic FC got on the score sheet first in the 25th minute after an own goal from Sounders FC, but the home team would rectify their mistake and make it 2-1 in their favor by the 54th minute. However, in the 60th minute Matteo Sorrentino slotted home a penalty kick for Republic FC, rescuing a crucial road point.
After the 2-2 draw with Seattle on Saturday, the Republic FC U-15/16 team went on to soundly defeat the Portland Timbers 4-1 on Sunday with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr., Leopoldo Hernandez and Alejandro Perez. Brewer is currently ranked 10th in the Western Conference goals scored leaders board.
Currently ranked fifth in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference and holding a wildcard spot for playoffs, the U-15/16s look to better their playoff position with a positive result against the San Jose Earthquakes Academy on Saturday. The Earthquakes’ U-15/16 team comes into the match off a 1-1 draw versus De Anza Force back in early March. The team is third in the Northwest Division U-15/16 standings, but are just three points ahead of Republic FC. The Earthquakes hold a record of 12-8-3.
Spearheading their attack will be Arda Bulut, one of the most lethal strikers in the entire U-15/16 U.S. Development Academy. Bulut is currently ranked first in the Western Conference and second overall in the goals scored leaders board, with 21 goals in 22 games played.
For their part, Republic FC’s Academy U-17/18 team look extend their seven-match win streak and stay atop of the Western Conference Northwest Division this weekend. The team surpassed Vancouver for the division top spot after back-to-back wins last weekend away at Seattle and Portland.
Against Seattle Sounders FC, the Republic FC Academy U-17/18’s took a 1-0 win with a goal from Alexis Dionicio. In their second match of the weekend, an own goal from the Portland Timbers and a goal a piece for Joseph Restani and Francis Avoce secured the top spot in the Northwest Division for Republic FC. The U-17/18s are currently also the second ranked team overall in the Western Conference.
The San Jose Earthquakes U-17/18 team has not played a match since March 5, when they defeated De Anza Force 2-0. Despite winning two of their last three matches and drawing the other, the Earthquakes U-17/18 team is not in a playoff position and need a win this Saturday to keep their playoff hopes strong. The Earthquakes are in fifth place in the Northwest Division with a record of 8-10-5, five points from a wildcard position and 10 points from a playoff spot.
Overall, the Republic FC Academy has had a great inaugural season in the U.S. Development Academy. After a rocky start, the U-17/18 team has dominated their division since November, losing just once since then. With last weekend’s results, the U-17/18’s finally surpassed Vancouver Whitecaps FC to claim the top spot in the Northwest Division standings. They hold a record of 15-4-5.
“What really has set us apart [our inaugural season] is Tte work that we’ve put in,” said Underwood. “We have had a high expectation level from day one. We’ve mad some our demands very taxing on our players. We’ve had a way we wanted to play and style we wanted to play. Our coaches are organized too. We have a lot of excellence, which isn’t once a week or twice a week. It’s a long term process and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
The U-15/16 team bounced back from five straight losses in January and February to seize one of two wildcard slots in the Northwest Division and are riding a five-match unbeaten streak. With another win this Saturday, they would tie with the Earthquakes and be in a great position to snatch a direct playoff spot.
Both matches will be played at Cosumnes River College Stadium this Saturday, Apr. 9. Kick off for the U-15/16 match is 4:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. for the U-17/18 match. All Academy matches at Cosumnes River College Stadium are free and open to the public.
