
MLS NEXT Fest Preview: Academy Heads to the Desert to Face Top Competition
December 5, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
One more challenge lies ahead for Republic FC's youth development academy squads as Fall 2023 comes to a close this week. The club's U-15, U-16, and U-17 teams all head to Phoenix, Arizona for MLS NEXT Fest to take on top competition from across the country. The midseason tournament is one of the largest youth soccer events in North America each year - bringing together over 300 teams at youth soccer's highest level for over 800 matches across six days.
Each Squad's Schedule
U-15:
Dec 7. vs. Seacoast United
Dec. 9 vs. Real JFC
Dec. 10 vs. Kalonjo SA
U-16:
Dec. 7 vs. Murrieta SA
Dec. 9 vs. FC Delco
Dec. 10 vs. Wake FC
U-17:
Dec. 5 vs. Tampa Bay United
Dec. 6 vs. Alexandria SC
Dec. 8 vs. Strikers FC Irvine
Republic FC's youth sides will each take the pitch three times before the week closes. The U-15 side will meet three times with East Coast squads, with the U-17's and U16's both taking on top clubs from Florida, North Carolina, Southern California, New Jersey and more. Youth Soccer Central highlighted the U-15 and U-17's opening matches against Seacoast United and Tampa Bay United as some of the top games on the schedule.
Three Quails Honored as Best in their Age Group
Thursday and Friday, three young players from Republic FC will participate in the tournament's "Best Of" matches - recognizing top youth standouts from clubs across the country in an East vs. West format. Only 22 players were selected for each the East and West squads in each age group. Thursday, U-17 defender and first team signee Chibu Ukaegbu will partake in the U-17s contest, and on Friday, Sean Baitinger and Rylan Hashimoto will take the pitch for the U-16 and U-15 contests.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 5, 2023
- Switchbacks FC Retain Goalkeeper Christian Herrera for 2024 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- 2024 Player Combine Set - Phoenix Rising FC
- Academy Boys Excel at S. Carolina Showcase - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- MLS NEXT Fest Preview: Academy Heads to the Desert to Face Top Competition - Sacramento Republic FC
- Orange County SC's Peter Nugent Succeeds Oliver Wyss as President of Soccer Operations and General Manager - Orange County SC
- Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club Announces New Soccer Apparel Partnership with Charly - Oakland Roots
- Hartford Athletic Add Joe Schmidt to Midfield - Hartford Athletic
- John Bradford Promoted to NCFC Head Coach and Sporting Director - North Carolina FC
- United Soccer League Appoints Oliver Wyss Head of Global Football Development and Sporting Director - USL
- Rhode Island FC Makes Surprise Announcement of Club's Striker During Kit Reveal Party - Rhode Island FC
- United Soccer League Announces Groundbreaking Agreement with CHARLY USA - USL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Sacramento Republic FC Stories
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Indy Eleven
- Earthquakes Net Two Early to Knock Republic FC from U.S. Open Cup
- Match Preview: Republic FC at San Jose Earthquakes (U.S. Open Cup)
- Freddy Kleemann Earns Third Team of the Week Selection
- Republic FC Take Winning Ways on the Road, Down Oakland Roots SC

