Sacramento Republic FC Academy U-18 defender Nabilai Kibunguchy will wear the red, white and blue next week as he competes in the 2016 Slovakia Cup as part of the United States U-19 Men’s National Team.
Sacramento Republic FC Academy U-18 defender Nabilai Kibunguchy will wear the red, white and blue next week as he competes in the 2016 Slovakia Cup as part of the United States U-19 Men’s National Team.
Through April 25-29, Brad Friedel will lead the U-19s in Group B of the eight-team tournament, first facing Georgia in Mondranka on Apr. 25, then Ukraine in Bernolakovo on Apr. 26 and, finally, the host Slovakia on Apr. 28 in Senica. Meanwhile, Russia, Czech Republic, Norway and FRY Macedonia will face off in Group A. The winner of each group will advance to tournament final on April 29 in Myjava.
Kibunguchy is the third Republic FC Academy player to receive a U.S. National Youth Team call-up during the 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season.
“This is a tremendous honor, for Nabi, for the Academy and for the team,” said Republic FC Academy U-18 Head Coach Benjamin Ziemer. “Everyone works so hard to put in the work necessary to reach a high level and push each other. The environment created by Republic FC from the top down is paying off and assisting multiple players reach the national team level.”
Through April 25-29, Brad Friedel will lead the U-19s in Group B of the eight-team tournament, first facing Georgia in Mondranka on Apr. 25, then Ukraine in Bernolakovo on Apr. 26 and, finally, the host Slovakia on Apr. 28 in Senica. Meanwhile, Russia, Czech Republic, Norway and FRY Macedonia will face off in Group A. The winner of each group will advance to tournament final on April 29 in Myjava.
Kibunguchy is the third Republic FC Academy player to receive a U.S. National Youth Team call-up during the 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season.
“This is a tremendous honor, for Nabi, for the Academy and for the team,” said Republic FC Academy U-18 Head Coach Benjamin Ziemer. “Everyone works so hard to put in the work necessary to reach a high level and push each other. The environment created by Republic FC from the top down is paying off and assisting multiple players reach the national team level.”
Kibunguchy started playing soccer at when he was five years old with local recreational youth clubs. Kibunguchy played for local teams Elk Grove Everton, Sacramento United and FC Elk Grove before joining the Republic FC Academy’s inaugural U-18 roster. While his former youth clubs built the foundation for his development, Kibunguchy credits the Academy’s training environment for helping him reach a new level of play.
“I’ve gotten way more experience and I think I’ve matured not only as a soccer player but also as a person,” said Kibunguchy. “Republic FC has provided a lot for their Academy and everyone on the team so I’m really grateful.”
Kibunguchy has not only caught the eyes of national youth team coaches, but also the eyes of Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. On several occasions, the young defender trained with Republic FC’s first team and dressed for Republic FC’s friendlies against MLS-sides San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids during the club’s preseason. Although he did not play, Buckle continued to heap praise on the young defender.
“He has come on leaps and bounds, so much so we had him involved with our first team, including our preseason friendlies. No surprise that he has taken a step in the right direction,” said Buckle. “It is a proud moment for his family and the club and a tremendous opportunity to show how good of a player he truly is.”
The Elk Grove native and senior at Cosumnes Oaks High School has been a key player for his team, with 23 appearances in 25 matches, including 22 starts. The 18-year-old defender also scored a goal in the team’s 4-2 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-17/18 team on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kibunguchy will be attending and playing at UC Davis as a freshman this fall having signed a letter of intent for the university back in February.
Kibunguchy started playing soccer at when he was five years old with local recreational youth clubs. Kibunguchy played for local teams Elk Grove Everton, Sacramento United and FC Elk Grove before joining the Republic FC Academy’s inaugural U-18 roster. While his former youth clubs built the foundation for his development, Kibunguchy credits the Academy’s training environment for helping him reach a new level of play.
“I’ve gotten way more experience and I think I’ve matured not only as a soccer player but also as a person,” said Kibunguchy. “Republic FC has provided a lot for their Academy and everyone on the team so I’m really grateful.”
Kibunguchy has not only caught the eyes of national youth team coaches, but also the eyes of Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. On several occasions, the young defender trained with Republic FC’s first team and dressed for Republic FC’s friendlies against MLS-sides San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids during the club’s preseason. Although he did not play, Buckle continued to heap praise on the young defender.
“He has come on leaps and bounds, so much so we had him involved with our first team, including our preseason friendlies. No surprise that he has taken a step in the right direction,” said Buckle. “It is a proud moment for his family and the club and a tremendous opportunity to show how good of a player he truly is.”
The Elk Grove native and senior at Cosumnes Oaks High School has been a key player for his team, with 23 appearances in 25 matches, including 22 starts. The 18-year-old defender also scored a goal in the team’s 4-2 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-17/18 team on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kibunguchy will be attending and playing at UC Davis as a freshman this fall having signed a letter of intent for the university back in February.
However, Kibunguchy is not the only standout member of the Republic FC U-18 Academy team. The U-18s currently sit in second place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northwest Division and are currently in a playoff position. Seven U-18 Academy players, including Kibunguchy, have signed letters of intent to play college soccer.
“Being a part of the Academy has helped me immensely because before I joined I wasn’t even on the radar of national team coaches,” said Kibunguchy. “Then I came here and I’ve put in a lot of hard work this season. All the scouts come to every game for the Academy and so that has just been crucial to this call-up. I was surprised by it but at the same time I knew I had earned it.”
Republic FC fans can keep track of Kibunguchy and the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team during their Slovakia Cup tournament run by following U.S. Soccer’s official Twitter feed for Youth National Teams, @ussoccer_ynt.
However, Kibunguchy is not the only standout member of the Republic FC U-18 Academy team. The U-18s currently sit in second place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northwest Division and are currently in a playoff position. Seven U-18 Academy players, including Kibunguchy, have signed letters of intent to play college soccer.
“Being a part of the Academy has helped me immensely because before I joined I wasn’t even on the radar of national team coaches,” said Kibunguchy. “Then I came here and I’ve put in a lot of hard work this season. All the scouts come to every game for the Academy and so that has just been crucial to this call-up. I was surprised by it but at the same time I knew I had earned it.”
Republic FC fans can keep track of Kibunguchy and the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team during their Slovakia Cup tournament run by following U.S. Soccer’s official Twitter feed for Youth National Teams, @ussoccer_ynt.
Goalkeepers: Benn Diaz (Queretaro; Los Angeles, Calif.), Ben Hale (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas)
Defenders: Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Marlon Fossey (Fulham FC; Surbiton, England), Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic; Sacramento, Calif.), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)
Midfielders: Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos; Palmdale, Calif.), Pierre Da Silva (Orlando City SC; Port Chester, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Sebastien Des Pres (RSL Arizona; San Diego, Calif.), Ander Egiluz (Athletic Bilbao; Getxo, Spain), Nelson Hunsinger (Leg A-Z; Mary Esther, Fla.), Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas)
Forwards: Colby Agu (Capital Area Railhawks; Cary, N.C.), Ernesto Espinoza (Club Tijuana; San Diego, Calif.), Joe Gallardo (Unattached; San Diego, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Isaiah Young (PDA; Berlin, N.J.)
Goalkeepers: Benn Diaz (Queretaro; Los Angeles, Calif.), Ben Hale (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas)
Defenders: Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Marlon Fossey (Fulham FC; Surbiton, England), Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic; Sacramento, Calif.), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)
Midfielders: Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos; Palmdale, Calif.), Pierre Da Silva (Orlando City SC; Port Chester, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Sebastien Des Pres (RSL Arizona; San Diego, Calif.), Ander Egiluz (Athletic Bilbao; Getxo, Spain), Nelson Hunsinger (Leg A-Z; Mary Esther, Fla.), Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas)
Forwards: Colby Agu (Capital Area Railhawks; Cary, N.C.), Ernesto Espinoza (Club Tijuana; San Diego, Calif.), Joe Gallardo (Unattached; San Diego, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Isaiah Young (PDA; Berlin, N.J.)
