In April, three Sacramento Republic FC Academy players earned call ups to U.S. Youth National Teams. Republic FC U-17/18 defender Nabilai Kibunguchy played with the U.S. U-19 Men’s National team for the 2016 Slovakia Cup, U-15/16 forward Shaft Brewer was called into the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. while U-13/14 midfielder Roberto Hategan joined the U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team for the Tournament Delle Nazioni.
“It’s an important time for our club and for our players,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “Our players have been working hard to improve and now they’re getting noticed and we’re excited for the players and we’re excited for the club on the recognition we are receiving from the U.S. national team.”
In April, three Sacramento Republic FC Academy players earned call ups to U.S. Youth National Teams. Republic FC U-17/18 defender Nabilai Kibunguchy played with the U.S. U-19 Men’s National team for the 2016 Slovakia Cup, U-15/16 forward Shaft Brewer was called into the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. while U-13/14 midfielder Roberto Hategan joined the U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team for the Tournament Delle Nazioni.
“It’s an important time for our club and for our players,” said Academy Director Rod Underwood. “Our players have been working hard to improve and now they’re getting noticed and we’re excited for the players and we’re excited for the club on the recognition we are receiving from the U.S. national team.”
Kibunguchy and the U.S. U-19s Men’s National Team began their group play in Slovakia with a 5-1 win over Georgia on Monday, Apr. 25. Kibunguchy came on as a 51st minute substitute in that match, and then did not feature in the second group match against Ukraine. However, Kibunguchy started and played the full 90 minutes in the U-19s third group play match, a 3-1 loss to the host team Slovakia on Thursday, Apr. 28.
With just a single loss in group play, the U-19s easily advanced to the Slovakia Cup Final where they faced Russia. The U-19s overcame an early goal deficit claim a 2-1 victory on Friday to win the Slovakia Cup, with U.S. U-19s team captain Weston McKennie also being named the Player of the Tournament. It is the first tournament title for the U.S. U-19s Men’s since the program was launched in 2015 by U.S. Soccer.
“To represent Sacramento as a city and Sacramento Republic FC at this tournament was a huge honor for me,” said Kibunguchy about the experience. “The Sacramento region is where I was raised so I’m happy to to be a part of something huge like this. Being with the USA U19s on this trip has been such an amazing experience and one to remember forever. I have learned a lot on this trip that will be beneficial to me on and off the soccer field in the future.”
Kibunguchy and the U.S. U-19s Men’s National Team began their group play in Slovakia with a 5-1 win over Georgia on Monday, Apr. 25. Kibunguchy came on as a 51st minute substitute in that match, and then did not feature in the second group match against Ukraine. However, Kibunguchy started and played the full 90 minutes in the U-19s third group play match, a 3-1 loss to the host team Slovakia on Thursday, Apr. 28.
With just a single loss in group play, the U-19s easily advanced to the Slovakia Cup Final where they faced Russia. The U-19s overcame an early goal deficit claim a 2-1 victory on Friday to win the Slovakia Cup, with U.S. U-19s team captain Weston McKennie also being named the Player of the Tournament. It is the first tournament title for the U.S. U-19s Men’s since the program was launched in 2015 by U.S. Soccer.
“To represent Sacramento as a city and Sacramento Republic FC at this tournament was a huge honor for me,” said Kibunguchy about the experience. “The Sacramento region is where I was raised so I’m happy to to be a part of something huge like this. Being with the USA U19s on this trip has been such an amazing experience and one to remember forever. I have learned a lot on this trip that will be beneficial to me on and off the soccer field in the future.”
Meanwhile, Hategan and the U.S. U-16s Boys National Team headed to Italy to compete in the 13th edition of Tournament Delle Nazioni from Apr. 2529. Hategan was an unused substitute during the first two U.S. matches of the tournament, first in the 2-1 loss to Croatia and then again in the 2-2 draw against Slovenia.
In the U-16s third match, played in two 35-minute halves, Hategan made his first appearance and start of the tournament in a 2-1 win over Brazil. The U.S. U-16s finished the group stage in third place behind Slovenia and Serbia.
Meanwhile, Hategan and the U.S. U-16s Boys National Team headed to Italy to compete in the 13th edition of Tournament Delle Nazioni from Apr. 2529. Hategan was an unused substitute during the first two U.S. matches of the tournament, first in the 2-1 loss to Croatia and then again in the 2-2 draw against Slovenia.
In the U-16s third match, played in two 35-minute halves, Hategan made his first appearance and start of the tournament in a 2-1 win over Brazil. The U.S. U-16s finished the group stage in third place behind Slovenia and Serbia.
Republic FC U-15/16 forward Brewer also was on national team duty last week, as he was called up to a U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team training camp in preparation for the U-18s’ next series of matches to be played from May 28 through June 8 in Guadalajara, Mexico. During the training camp, the U-19s faced off against Liga MX Club Tijuana’s U-20/U-18 team. Brewer came on as a sub in the 62nd minute and quickly made an impact, assisting Brandon Servania’s match-winning goal in the 2-1 victory.
These are only three of five Republic FC Academy players called up into the ranks of the U.S. Youth National teams since the Academy began play back in September 2015. Last November, Republic FC U-15/16 goalkeeper Mason Finnell was called into a U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team Camp in November, while U-17/18 defenders David Burns received a call-up for the U-20s training camp this year in January.
Brewer, Hategan and Kibunguchy return home to rejoin their respective Republic FC Academy teams before they travel to face De Anza Force at De Anza College on Saturday, May 7. The U-17/18 team will kick off at 10:00 a.m., followed by the U-15/16s at 1:30 p.m. The U-13/14s will kick off at 4:00 p.m.
Republic FC U-15/16 forward Brewer also was on national team duty last week, as he was called up to a U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team training camp in preparation for the U-18s’ next series of matches to be played from May 28 through June 8 in Guadalajara, Mexico. During the training camp, the U-19s faced off against Liga MX Club Tijuana’s U-20/U-18 team. Brewer came on as a sub in the 62nd minute and quickly made an impact, assisting Brandon Servania’s match-winning goal in the 2-1 victory.
These are only three of five Republic FC Academy players called up into the ranks of the U.S. Youth National teams since the Academy began play back in September 2015. Last November, Republic FC U-15/16 goalkeeper Mason Finnell was called into a U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team Camp in November, while U-17/18 defenders David Burns received a call-up for the U-20s training camp this year in January.
Brewer, Hategan and Kibunguchy return home to rejoin their respective Republic FC Academy teams before they travel to face De Anza Force at De Anza College on Saturday, May 7. The U-17/18 team will kick off at 10:00 a.m., followed by the U-15/16s at 1:30 p.m. The U-13/14s will kick off at 4:00 p.m.
