Republic FC’s Academy continues to fly high following another big weekend of results against top competition. A combined three wins and one draw continued each team’s strong season as the Thanksgiving holiday and mid-season mark approach. Saturday, the U-15 and U-17 sides each claimed points their counterparts from MLS side Portland Timbers, and Sunday, the U-13 and U-14 sides came away victorious against Albion SC Merced.
Last Week’s Results
Saturday, Nov. 18
U-17’s: 0-0 Draw vs. Portland Timbers
U-15’s: 2-1 Win vs. Portland Timbers
Sunday, Nov. 19
U-14’s: 6-2 Win vs. Albion SC Merced
U-13’s: 4-2 Win vs. Albion SC Merced
A win for the U-15’s – secured in the final moments – highlighted Saturday’s fixtures against Portland Timbers’ youth sides from Cosumnes River College. Sean Hanafee got the Indomitable club ahead in the 23rd minute, but the Oregon side pulled even five minutes later. The match remained deadlocked until late in the second half when Sacramento jumped on an opportunity from a set piece. After a deep cross fell to Da’vian Kimbrough, the forward punched it through with his first touch for the winning score. The U-17’s matchup saw points shared in a tight defensive battle ending in a scoreless draw.
Sunday, an offensive outburst propelled the U-14’s to a dominating 6-2 victory. A second half brace from Liam Chinchilla Oporto led the way, after scores from Grayson Utsuh and Justin Moreira gave Sacramento an early 2-0 advantage. Sacramento’s U-13’s claimed their 11th consecutive win behind a goal each from four different players in the day’s later match, with Jayden Staines, Nathan Dehner, Cristiano Kartono, and Troy Raneses each finding the net.
Table Update
Through 11 weeks, Sacramento’s youth sides are again proving to be among the best. The club’s U-15, U-16, and U-17 teams all sit in first place of the MLS NEXT Northwest Division, with just one loss on the year for each team. The U-13 side sits in second place – but with 11 wins in 11 contests is one of only seven teams nationwide in their age group with a perfect record. Sacramento’s U-14s are just two points back of the top spot in their division with eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
