Two Homegrown Quails Earn National Team Call-Ups
Republic FC’s development pipeline continues to show real results. U.S. Soccer has announced that midfielder Blake Willey and defender Chibuike “Chibi” Ukaegbu have been selected to the United States U-19 Men’s National Team for its upcoming training camp in Wrexham, Wales from November 9 to November 19. Willey and Ukaegbu are the only USL Championship players on the roster, a distinction that speaks to both their talent and the club’s growing reputation for player development.
The camp will include matches against Germany on November 12, Wales on November 15, and Japan on November 18, offering a challenging slate against three of the most respected youth systems in the world.
Both players signed their first professional contracts with Sacramento ahead of the 2024 season after rising through the club’s academy. This moment is not an unexpected breakthrough. It is a progression built on trust, opportunity, and consistent growth.
Blake Willey
Willey’s 2025 season marked his arrival as a regular contributor at the professional level.
At just 18, he earned a meaningful role in a competitive midfield group and held it throughout the year.
28 appearances, 20 starts, 1,695 minutes
3 assists
Appeared in every match of the U-18 UEFA Friendship Cup, helping the United States win the tournament
Twice selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week
Willey’s game is built on awareness and tempo. He plays comfortably in tight spaces, reads pressure well, and connects phases of play with balance rather than forcing the game. His decision-making and composure allowed Sacramento to trust him with regular starts in matches with playoff stakes.
This call-up offers him a new environment where the speed of play rises again. It will test him, sharpen him, and accelerate the next stage of his growth.
Chibuike Ukaegbu
Ukaegbu’s rise has been steady and grounded in his fundamentals.
The Roseville native has shown reliability and maturity that are uncommon for his age, particularly in defensive reading and recovery moments.
16 appearances, 8 starts, 837 minutes
17 tackles, 15 interceptions, 49 duels won
36 clearances in league play
Repeated training camp involvement with the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team
Ukaegbu carries a calm presence in the back line. He rarely looks rushed, plays confidently out of pressure, and competes with purpose when defending in space. The ability to read play early, rather than simply react, is what continues to separate him among his age group.
This camp is another chance to challenge that composure against aggressive, detail-oriented international forwards. It is a test of craft as much as athleticism.
What This Means for Sacramento
Two academy products joining the same United States youth national team camp, as the only USL representatives, reinforces something Sacramento has preached for years: development here is real, not theoretical.
This validates the club’s pathway:
Young players receive meaningful first team minutes.
They are challenged in environments that ask them to grow.
Their progress is visible beyond the league.
It also strengthens Sacramento’s recruiting power. Players and families around the region and beyond can now see actionable evidence of what the club provides.
Looking Ahead
The next step is not simply appearing in training sessions in Wales. It is returning to Sacramento with greater confidence, sharper habits, and an expanded understanding of the level required at the highest tiers of the sport.
This call-up is recognition. What comes next is influence. These two players are not just representing Sacramento on the national stage. They are shaping what the future of the club can be.