Category Archives: News

2007G NPL1 Have Huge Showing in San Diego Surf Cup

The Placer United 2007 Girls NPL1 team had a huge showing in the Prestigious San Diego Surf Cup Tournament this past weekend. Competing in Super Black division (second bracket), the team won the group with three wins going 3-0 and earning a birth to the semifinals. Beating impressive teams like Pateadores Academy, Rebels ECNL and Crossfire United ECNL, the girls battled in the semifinals but fell short 1-0 in the final few minutes to ISC Gunners GA. The Gunners would win the final 3-0. The girls came so close. What an impressive showing in an elite tournament in a very high and difficult bracket. Congrats to Todd DeCarlo and the entire Placer United 07 girls team!

Ripon’s Scholten Inks with Dream School University of San Diego

Manteca/Ripon Bulletin
by: Jonamar Jacinto
Published: May 18, 2021

Ripon High senior Ariana Scholten fantasized about her future as she participated in a soccer camp at the scenic campus of University of San Diego during her sophomore year.

“Well, if you’ve ever seen the campus it’s gorgeous,” she said. “I thought, ‘I’d like to play here one day.’”

She’ll soon get the chance.

The Indians’ attacking midfielder/forward has signed with the Toreros of the West Coast Conference, where she is sure to see some top NCAA Division I competition including national power Santa Clara. Although her role is not yet set in stone, Scholten envisions herself as a striker. Fourth-year coach Louise Lieberman could use a player with a nose for the goal after USD scored just three goals while finishing 1-7-1 this past season.

Scholten looks forward to working for a coach who has served as an assistant for the U.S. Soccer Under-23 women’s team and UCLA. San Diego won eight games in each of its first three seasons under Lieberman.

Scholten hasn’t had a chance to visit the campus since that camp two years ago, but it wasn’t necessary to convince her to commit.

“It’s a beautiful school, but the one thing that really attracted me the most was Lou and her coaching staff,” she said. “They’re very supportive people. They obviously want good soccer players but they look for people first. They want you to bring light to their squad and leave the school as a better player and as a better person.

“They really care about your school, your values and your soccer life. I really appreciate that about them.”

Her plan is to major in pre-health science and further her studies in occupational or physical therapy. She’ll also minor in marine biology.

Since college coaches have been unable to scout prospects in person, Scholten worked with her club coach, Ron Benjamin of Placer United, to film training videos and send them out.

“Coach Lou reached out to me and said, ‘I’d like to talk to you about a future at San Diego,’” Scholten said. “At the time I was talking to another college but I was real happy when the opportunity with USD came up because that had been my dream school since my sophomore year.”

San Diego gets a proven winner at the club and high school levels in Scholten, who tallied 54 goals and 60 assists in her first three years at Ripon. A three-time All-Trans-Valley League selection, she led the Indians to two Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championships, two league titles and their first California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Regional final.

Scholten proved herself to be deadly on set pieces and in the run of play with powerful and laser-accurate striking on either foot. Her junior year, she focused on playmaking and racked up a team-high 26 assists.

This season, Ripon is playing an abbreviated schedule in the competitive Valley Oak League because of the coronavirus pandemic. With no postseason or league titles on the line, Scholten is glad to just have fun with her friends on the pitch.

“It’s nice to take a break from all the seriousness of comp and just enjoy yourself on the field while continuing to work on little things and perfect my play before I go to college,” Scholten said.

 

Kikanovic Makes MLS Debut in 2-0 Setback

Benji Kikanovic pictured with Coach Matt Scammacca and Placer United players

Major League Soccer (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes News Release
May 16, 2021

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night at PayPal Park. The match saw the MLS debut of Quakes forward Benji Kikanovic and the season debut of Quakes midfielder Jack Skahan.

Portland took the lead in the fifth minute when Eryk Williamson sent a through ball to Yimmi Chara, who would chip the ball up and over an onrushing JT Marcinkowski.

San Jose would come close to the equalizer in the second half when a penalty was given to the Quakes in the 61st minute, but Chris Wondolowski’s low shot was saved by the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Logan Ketterer. Portland later doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Williamson’s cross to Marvin Loria was headed home.

The Earthquakes will now prepare to play their third and final match of a three-game homestand next Saturday, May 22 vs. Sporting Kansas City, presented by Coca-Cola. The match kicks off from PayPal Park at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.

GAME NOTES

The Earthquakes now hold a 3-3-0 record (9 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference.

San Jose earned 12 corner kicks, their most in a single match since July 15, 2020 (22).

The Quakes took 20 shots, their most in a single match since July 15, 2020 (30).

San Jose committed just five fouls, their fewest in a match since Sept. 25, 2019 (5).

Forward Benji Kikanovic made his MLS debut, entering as a substitute in the 63rd minute.

Midfielder Jack Skahan made his first appearance of the season and second of his MLS career, entering as a substitute in the 66th minute.

MLS Regular Season

San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 2 Portland Timbers

May 15, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.

Scoring Summary: POR – Yimmi Chara (Eryk Williamson) 5; POR – Marvin Loria (Eryk Williamson, Felipe Mora) 74.

Misconduct Summary: POR – Bill Tuiloma (caution) 25; POR – Dario Zuparic (caution) 42; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (caution) 45+3.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie (Shea Salinas 58), Oswaldo Alanis, Florian Jungwirth (Chris Wondolowski 58), Luciano Abecasis; Carlos Fierro, Eric Remedi, Jackson Yueill; Carlos Fierro (Benji Kikanovic 63), Cristian Espinoza (Chofis 58), Andres Rios (Jack Skahan 66); Cade Cowell.

Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Judson, Tommy Thompson, Daniel Vega.

SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 5; CORNER KICKS: 12.

PORTLAND TIMBERS: Logan Ketterer; Claudio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Bill Tuiloma, Pablo Bonilla (Josecarlos Van Rankin 82); Andy Polo (Renzo Zambrano 72), Eryk Williamson, Yimmi Chara, Marvin Loria (Zachery McGraw 82); Felipe Mora (Diego Valeri 82), Jeremy Ebobisse (Dairon Asprilla 69).

Substitutes not used: Blake Bodily, Hunter Sulte.

SHOTS: 18, SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 5.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA

On improving the team’s offense:

“I think football is simple. If you score goals and they don’t, you win. If you concede and they don’t, you lose. Today’s match was similar to our previous match. We were able to create opportunities from headers, a penalty and rebounds we could not get to. The opponents had created two dangerous chances and they converted, and we cannot afford mistakes against these teams. We will keep working to capitalize on the chances we are getting.”

On giving minutes to younger players:

“It brings me pleasure to allow young players to make their debut. It’s not easy to come on in these types of games. Sometimes because of nerves and trying to be perfect, not everything goes right. This is the team we have, with many young players. The day they all have 40 appearances in the first division, and they remain in this league, with this system and style of play, we will become more competitive.”

On the team’s approach to penalty kicks:

“We practice them. I think if anyone had to be selected to take penalties, it would be the league and this club’s all-time leader in goals. The penalty was well taken. The goalkeeper stretched his arm and got to the post. I won’t just take away this penalty, I will take away the chances we created. Apart from the penalty, we were missing the finishing touches.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER CRISTIAN ESPINOZA

On the team’s finishing:

“We need to be more attentive in the final stretch where we really need to make a difference. The goals result from our ability to finish them. We have been great in that sense but in our last two matches, we were unlucky in our finishing. Other times, we cannot capitalize because of the virtues in the opponent. We will keep working and move forward. We have important upcoming matches and now is not the time to give up.”

On creating more dangerous chances:

“I think today’s match was difficult for everyone, especially the attackers. The opponent just waited in their area, defended throughout the entire match and created counterattacks, and that is how they scored. Personally, I don’t feel that neither my teammates nor I performed badly. When you face an opponent with practically 11 players in their own half, it becomes difficult to find space. We have to find a way to generate attacking plays. In this match, the opponent stayed in their area and waited for our mistakes to launch a counter.”

 

Nevada Union Alumna Cayce Shaw Balances Pursuit of PhD with new Soccer Opportunity

At peace on the pitch: Nevada Union alumna Cayce Shaw balances pursuit of Ph.D. with new soccer opportunity

The Union
Sports | May 7, 2021
by Walter Ford  

Cayce Shaw, a 2015 Nevada Union graduate, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of California, San Francisco.

When Cayce Shaw is playing soccer, everything else in her life fades into the background.

“I love playing,” said Shaw. “It’s something that when I step on the field, everything else goes away.”

For Shaw, a 2015 Nevada Union graduate, soccer is a sport she has dedicated herself to since she was a child. And, through the years, soccer has reciprocated with life lessons, opportunities and mental tranquility.

Shaw, 24, first started playing soccer when she was in second grade. At first it was just a fun way to spend time with her friends. She soon discovered she had a knack for the game and joined a club team, the Placer United. At the high school level, the talented footballer was a four-year varsity player for the Miners. She was a team captain in her junior and senior seasons, and was named to the All-Sierra Foothill League team twice.

“I just really grew to love it and wanted to pursue it in college,” she said. “Having leadership roles and being around such a good community really inspired my passion to keep playing.”

Shaw’s prowess on the pitch, as well as the classroom, landed her at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she majored in bio chemistry and played four years on the women’s soccer team.

Cayce Shaw, a 2015 Nevada Union graduate, played center-forward for the UC Santa Cruz women’s soccer team, and across her four years with the Banana Slugs she started 56 games, scored 18 goals and had eight assists.

“It was a really good fit academically and athletically,” she said.

Shaw played center-forward for the Banana Slugs, and across her four years with the team she started 56 games, scored 18 goals and had eight assists. During her senior season, she led the team with eight goals and was named the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year  among Division III independent teams. The Banana Slugs reached the NCAA Division III playoffs in three of the four years Shaw was on the team.

ACADEMIA

After her time at UC Santa Cruz concluded, Shaw made the move to San Francisco to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of California, San Francisco. Shaw’s studies focus on Alzheimer’s disease, and more specifically the differences between how males and females are affected by the disease.

“I love teaching and would love to be in academia,” Shaw said of her career pursuits. “Hopefully, be a professor and do my own research. Have some kind of research lab and also teach courses.”

Shaw said she truly enjoys the work she’s doing at UC San Francisco, but it does come with its fair share of stress.

“I thought that I was done with soccer once I graduated (UC Santa Cruz), but I started grad school and was feeling a lot of pressure and needed a way to try and help me cope,” Shaw said. “I found this group, the Nighthawks, which is a bunch of former college players. It’s a really good community of other people in the city I can play soccer with, and I’ve found that it’s a really healthy way to manage my stress.”

Shaw signed with the San Francisco Nighthawks Women’s Soccer Club in January 2020, but COVID-19 forced the season to be canceled. The club plans to be back on the pitch for the 2021 summer season, though, and Shaw is looking forward to competing once again.

“I feel so lucky that I was able to find this group in San Francisco,” Shaw said. “When I finished in college I felt like something was missing in my life. It was such a big part of my identity. … So I feel pretty lucky that I found the Nighthawks and was able to make the team and get signed (to the roster).”

At its highest level, the Nighthawks compete in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, which is the second tier of women’s professional soccer in the United States and Canada. The club also has teams that compete in the Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League. Shaw is currently listed as a member of the club’s GGWSL First Division team.

As for handling the rigors of her academic pursuits while playing soccer at a high level, Shaw said it’s made easier when you love what you do.

“Finding something that brings you a lot of joy is helpful,” she said. “Whether it’s your career or the sport that you’re playing, it shouldn’t ever feel like it’s a task. I genuinely love the academics that I’m doing as well as playing soccer, so I feel like that joy has made me want to put in the extra hours.”

The summer season for the Nighthawks is set to start May 29, said Shaw.

“I’m excited for summer to really prove myself,” she said. “And, hopefully, get more time on the field.”

Earthquakes Sign 21-Year-Old Forward Benji Kikanovic

February 16, 2021
SJEarthquakes.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. –  The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season.

“Benji has been on our radar for several years and we’re happy he’ll be joining the first team,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “He is a player that we thought very highly of in college and we were impressed by his transition to the professional game last year. We’ll create an individualized program for him and believe in his future in MLS.”

Kikanovic, 21, spent the 2020 season with the Quakes’ former USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868 FC, scoring two goals in 13 appearances.

Prior to joining Reno, Kikanovic competed for Sacramento State University for two seasons. He appeared in 34 of the team’s 35 matches from 2018 to 2019, making 33 starts and tallying nine goals and five assists. As a freshman in 2018, Kikanovic led the team in goals (5), game-winning goals (2) and assists (4), earning Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West Conference accolades. He was the only freshman in the Big West Conference to earn First or Second Team recognition that season. The following year, he tallied four goals and an assist to earn his second consecutive Second Team All-Big West Conference honor.

Kikanovic, a former youth player at Placer United Soccer Club, also spent time with NPSL side Sacramento Gold FC in 2019.

Illinois Tech Alumni Spotlight on Kirsten Robinson

Alumni Spotlight – Kirsten Robinson ’19 (Women’s Soccer)
February 16, 2021

CHICAGO–Kirsten Robinson ’19 was a four-year member (2015-18) of the Illinois Institute of Technology women’s soccer program as a midfielder/forward. The civil/environmental engineering major from Newcastle, California registered nine goals and 15 assists for 33 points over 77 career games. Her 164 career shot attempts ranks fifth in the Scarlet Hawks’ modern-day record book, while her 15 career assists stands at No. 9. Robinson’s senior season ended with a spot on the 2018 All-NACC Second Team. She also landed a spot on the 2017 All-Association of Division III Independents First Team, after she secured 2016 All-AD3I Third Team honors.

What is your favorite memory about your time as a Scarlet Hawk, on or off the playing surface?: My favorite memory is my senior night game, not just for the additional attention, but because we played a rather challenging opponent; by winning in overtime, we solidified our spot in the league’s championship. We were not only making program history, we were battling together as a team with so much love and support from the stands. A night to remember.

What are you most proud of from your time as a Scarlet Hawk?: As a growing program, I am proud to have been a part of many firsts for the women’s soccer program. This includes transitioning to NCAA Division III and reaching the league championships.

What advice would you give to your college self or current Scarlet Hawks?: Really work hard and cherish every bruise and every day you get to play the sport you love. You’re not only going to miss it, but you’re really going to kick yourself if you don’t take full advantage of the relationships, growth and memories you’ll gain from the experience.

Where do you currently live and what do you do for a career?: I currently live in the heart of San Francisco, California working for an engineering design firm. As a building energy analysis and modeling consultant, I aid building design through a variety of sustainable practices like LEED certification and renewable energy design.

How did your collegiate career prepare you for life after college?: Collegiate sports are as much about mental aptitude as they are about physical prowess. I learned about confidence, compromise, communication and a multitude of other life skills through interacting with peers, officials and coaches.

What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from Illinois Tech?: Since graduating, I’ve traveled, I’ve moved back across the country, and I’ve adopted a dog, all have been big adventures. Professionally, I became LEED AP accredited and am proud to be halfway through my second year with a great company.

How are you still involved with your sport?: It’s been a real joy playing in small leagues and pick-up games now that I’ve “retired.” I hope to coach youth again someday, or even practice with a semipro team again, but I am enjoying being able to play freely with friends and colleagues. As always, it’s a great way to meet and bond with people!

What attribute from your time as a student-athlete has helped you in your professional career the most?: Sociability is a huge thing in life and it’s a big benefit in the professional world. That plus an understanding of balancing teamwork and individual responsibility have had a great impact in my career thus far.

 

From Placer to Portugal

From Placer to Portugal: How a Two Hour Drive Turned Into a Pro-Contract

by Lily Dubuc

It’s been a tough year for everyone, including women’s soccer around the world. I feel fortunate to live in Portugal, playing professionally with Racing Power F.C.

Six years ago, my week looked like this:

  • Wake up at 6:00 a.m.
  • Go to school
  • Take a nap in my car
  • Drive two hours down to soccer training with Placer United
  • Drive two hours home
  • Shower
  • Fall into bed just before midnight
  • Repeat 3-5 times a week as needed

It was one of the happiest times of my life.

Placer United is synonymous with family for me. I was lucky enough to train with multiple coaches on both the girls’ and boys’ sides of the club. It was where I grew as a player and person and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It’s also where I learned the value of grit, playing for the good of the team, and the tactical side of the beautiful game. It’s where I gained the experience to play every position on the pitch and live up to my coaches’ and teammates’ high standards. Every day I still try to make Placer United proud of me as a person and player.

Playing for Placer led to playing for Dominican University in California. After four seasons, some better than others, I left for the final semester of my undergrad degree at the University of Oxford. I received multiple player of the week accolades, conference awards, and a new left ankle.

After arriving in Oxford, I joined the University team and instantly felt at home. Thanks to Placer United’s soccer foundation, I transitioned from being a winger to a defensive center midfielder. I found myself surrounded by the love of the game in England with brilliant teammates. It felt like a great end to a successful collegiate career.

Fast forward to the real world, where I gave my best at being a proper adult by moving to Boston and getting a full-time job while also joining four amateur teams in the area. Then COVID-19 hit, and I knew that I needed soccer to be the center of my world again.

Lily Dubc – back row third from right

While I waited for the vaccine for COVID-19 to come, I moved back to Oxford, where I was lucky enough to play for Oxford City F.C. and coach at the University of Oxford. A second national lockdown and an expiring visa sent me back home to the Tahoe area.

Once the January transfer window opened up, I was lucky to have Racing Power F.C. watch my highlight video and reach out via my agent at R.A.C. One week later and I was packing my bags to move to Portugal for my first professional contract.

From driving two hours each way for Placer to flying to Portugal, I am fortunate to be able to continue to play the game I love, even in a pandemic. I’d like to thank my parents, sister, uncle, and the Rohlf family for driving with me all those years for training. Playing with the Dominican Athletic team, Blues, and Catz football at the University of Oxford reminds me how much I love this game. I sincerely appreciate Oxford City F.C., R.A.C. agency, Racing Power F.C., and Placer United. Without the support of all the Placer United coaches, staff, and teammates throughout the years, I never would have had this opportunity. I’ll always be proud to have played for Placer United.

Placer United Players Enjoying Soccer Opportunity in Europe 

By Judy Farah

While the Covid pandemic has unfortunately sidelined youth soccer teams in the Sacramento region and all of California, two former players from Placer United are currently enjoying an exciting soccer career in Europe. Izzie Lueken, a graduate of the University of San Francisco, is playing for Mislata C.F. in Valencia, Spain and 17-year-old David Harrison is in Germany on the Borussia Emsdetten team. Both had challenges getting to Europe during the Covid shutdown but are now immersing themselves in exploring a new country and learning different styles of play than in the United States.

Izzie Lueken, forward with University of San Francisco women’s soccer

Lueken began playing soccer when she was 4 years old and has “been in love with the sport ever since.” She came to Placer United in 2011 and played at the club until she graduated Folsom High School in 2016. Lueken went on to play four years in college where she had the chance to compete against some of the best teams in the country. When her college career ended, she knew she wanted to continue to play. Her college coach arranged for her to play in a tournament in Valencia, Spain in April 2020 and be seen by professional coaches from teams outside the U.S. but unfortunately it was cancelled when Covid hit.

“I was devastated, but still wanted to do everything I could to try and be seen and get the opportunity to play internationally,” she said.

With her coach’s help, Lueken was able to join some Zoom sessions watched by international coaches. Izzie focused hard, attending the Zoom sessions several times a week from April until June 2020. Eventually, one of the coaches from Mislata C.F. expressed interest and invited her to Valencia. She arrived in October and is currently training with her new team, trying to learn the language and enjoying the view from a different part of the world.

“The thing that kept me going is knowing how much I love soccer,” Lueken said. “It is always hard work and I try to keep pushing myself through the setbacks and challenges. But I love the game. I love the rush I get when I am on the field. I have started a new chapter in my life completely out of my comfort zone.”

Harrison was a junior at Del Oro High School in Loomis, California. He also started playing soccer at age 4, but also played basketball and volleyball. He played four years of recreational soccer before joining Placer United.

David Harrison

Harrison took a different route to play abroad. He went through a program called The Talent Projekt. He was selected after he applied by sending in a highlight reel. Harrison and 13 others from across the United States moved to Germany in September and joined team Borussia Emsdetten in Germany.

What was it like to send your then 16-year-old son to Europe during a pandemic? “It was incredibly difficult,” father Lance Harrison admits. “He wanted to become a professional soccer player in Europe. It would be a better opportunity for him to develop.”

Placer United, which typically has about 600 kids in their club, has a strong reputation of developing talent. Some of their players have gone on to be drafted by MLS, play in the USL, the NWSL and youth national teams.

“Our main goal is to get players to play at the next level, to create the best training environment possible with the best coaching staff possible to have these kids have their dreams come true to play at the next level, whether that is with college, professional or national teams,” said Ron Benjamin, Director of Coaching-Girls, Placer United.

Lueken and Harrison aren’t the first Placer United players to compete in Europe. Other members have played in Norway, Sweden, Italy and Israel. But Leuken and Harrison are the first to play abroad during a pandemic.

Harrison had to wear a mask on the 9-hour flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt. When he arrived in Germany, the country had shut its borders to all travel from the U.S. but he got through on a student visa.

“We were through the worst of it but since we’ve been here we have not been able to properly eat at restaurants as everything is take out, and we have not been able to go see any of the remarkable things that Germany is known for because much of it is closed,” Harrison said.

“There was a lot of doubt and uncertainty throughout this entire process,” Leuken said. “I was unsettled by all the unknowns and questioned whether leaving the country to play soccer was worth it,” Lueken said.

It took a while for David to get cleared to play in games, but as of this writing he has played in three and has three assists and one goal. Harrison and his American teammates are adjusting to different ways of playing soccer. They have multiple coaches for biometrics and speed, for yoga, aerobics and nutrition. Instead of going to the match in uniform, everyone goes to training in street clothes and changes into uniforms provided by staff. After practice, everyone showers and changes back to street clothes. As for the difference in play?

“It is far more aggressive play over here with the referees letting much of the physicality play on and not calling a foul,” Harrison said. “The speed at which the game is played is also much faster. The ball is played quickly after it is received and every player on the field knows where they’re going with the ball before they even get it. The build up from the goalie through the back line is almost always allowed but as soon as the back line attempts to play a ball to the midfield, that’s when teams press hard. Finally, individually every player is very technical with the ball, no matter what position. You will never find a player playing in our division who is slow, can only use one foot or one who has slow decision making. Everyone can pass, dribble, shoot and hit long balls with both feet.”

Like many youth soccer clubs during Covid, Placer United hasn’t had any matches in California. They’ve held Zoom training sessions and are now doing non-contact training outdoors using social distancing, masks and use sanitizing stations upon arrival.

“We’re trying to be creative with our training sessions to keep the kids excited and motivated,” Benjamin said.

Lueken is grateful that Placer United helped prepare her for her pro soccer career.

“I loved my time at Placer. The competitiveness, the coaches, my teammates, the joyful environment.”

Coach Benjamin said it’s been a tough time for youth soccer with kids unable to play, but added: “We always tell the kids that the challenges in life make you stronger.”

Sacramento Standout Player Selected 20th Overall Pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft

by Republic FC Communications

Sacramento, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced today that Midfielder Tucker Bone will join Republic FC on its 2021 roster, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Tucker’s team-first mentality and tenacity add another dangerous player to our attacking group,” said Republic FC General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He’s a dynamic and versatile player that is one of Sacramento’s own, and we are excited to welcome him home.”

The 24-year-old joins Republic FC following a season with Reno 1868 FC, where he started 24 regular season matches, two playoff matches and scored four goals and contributed one assist. In the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Bone was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for his performances in Week 9 and 11. In the second half of the 2019 season, he signed his first pro contract with Colorado Springs Switchbacks where he made 16 appearances (8 starts) and recorded his first pro goal and assist.

Tucker was selected 20th by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, after a decorated four-year collegiate career at the Air Force Academy. He was a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist, and earned Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year accolades in his senior season.

He is a back-to-back First Team All-America recipient, awarded to the best eleven collegiate players annually. In the past decade, only 15 players out of 110 have been selected to receive the honor twice. Bone recorded 25 goals and 22 assists in his career with the Falcons. Prior to attending Air Force Academy, Tucker was a two-sport letterman at Jesuit High School in Carmichael and played for area youth clubs, Placer United and Sacramento United.

 

Tucker Bone
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 162 pounds
Number: 7
Born: January 23, 1996
Age: 24
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington
Country: United States
Previous Club: Reno 1868 FC

Placer United Player Highlights Across the Nation

A big congratulations to all of the Placer United players who have represented the Club on National, Regional, State and Sacramento teams. Check out the impressive list of accomplishments below:

PLAYER PROFESSIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

National Teams

Abena Aidoo – U17 Ghana National Team
Maria de la Cruz – Philipines Senior National Team
Mackenzie George – U20 National Camp
Ashley Holder – U17 National Camp
Kellie Pagador – USA U15/U17 National Team
Sydney Pagador – Philipines Senior National Team
Jessica Santos – Phillipines Senior National Team
Madalyn Schiffel – USA U20 National Pool
Sydney Schultz – USA U15 National Camp
Cody Sundquist – USA U18 National Team

Overseas / Professional

Tucker Bone – MLS Seattle Sounders
Seth Casiple – USL Portland Timbers II, Reno 1856 FC, Orange County SC
Savannah Coiner – Finland-based Club Vasa IFK
Abbie Faingold  – Maccabi Hadera FC, Israel
Jake Feener – USL Tulsa Roughnecks,
Connor Hallisey – MLS FC Sporting Kansas City
David Harrison – Borussia Emsdetten, Germany
Ryan Hollingshead – MLS FC Dallas
Benji Kikanovich – USL Reno 1856 FC
Izzie Leuken – Mislata C.F. in Valencia, Spain
Luis Martinez – USL Energy FC
Daylon Schiffel – UPSL Santa Clarita Storm
Madalyn Schiffel – NWSL Washington Spirit
Cody Sundquist – Liverpool-England / Fiorentina-Italy