Academy Preview: U19s
Published on September 18, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Republic FC's U19 Academy team enters the new season with a clear set of goals: compete at the highest level, prepare players for the next stage of their careers, and create opportunities for academy players to take the next step towards the professional game.
Several players from this year's roster featured for Republic FC's U17s last season and finished the regular season with a 14-5-4 record. They made an impressive run at the MLS NEXT Flex tournament where they defeated two MLS clubs, but heartbreakingly missed out on the postseason by just one point.
But with a new season ahead, so comes a new chance to close out their Academy career as Champions.
Juan Aguilar returns to coach the U19s for the third consecutive year. During his tenure, nine players have signed USL Academy contracts - including three who appeared in First Team competitions in 2026. Dozens have gone on to commit and graduate to Division I college programs across the country.
"The biggest goal this year is to get as many guys the opportunity to train with the First Team. Not only for their individual development, but for our team and the Academy as a whole," said Aguilar. "When they're able to train and compete in the professional environment, they bring that experience back and that helps to raise the standard for everybody."
The team has already gained valuable experience in USL Academy competition, going 2-1-1 over the summer. As the league continues to grow and provide more opportunities for young players to compete in a high-level environment, Republic FC will remain part of that development, using USL Academy competition as another opportunity for players to gain meaningful experience and develop in a competitive environment.
The U19s open their Flex campaign on September 19 against Silicon Valley SA and MLS NEXT against FC Bay Area on the 20th.
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