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Philly Soccer Notebook: Holt new president at Sac Republic, International Youth Call-Ups & More
Radnor native Tim Holt was announced Monday as the new president and general manager of Sacramento Republic FC.
The former president of USL also served previously as an executive at San Antonio FC and for Orlando City in their inaugural season in MLS.
“Republic FC is one of the special clubs in American soccer and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help steward the club into its next era,” Holt said in a news release. “Over a decade ago, Sacramento joined the USL during my tenure as league president, and it’s a full-circle moment to see how the original promise of a club has evolved into a remarkable organization with passionate supporters, consistently competing at the top of the table, and a dedicated staff who serve this community.”
Holt was an All-Delco soccer player in high school, graduating from Radnor High School in 1990 and returned to former youth club FC Delco to coach after graduating from Penn State. He joined Orlando City SC during its inaugural 2015 MLS season as Vice President of Development. In Orlando, Holt’s work included the expansion of the club with the creation and launch of two new professional soccer franchises, Orlando Pride of the NWSL & Orlando City B of the USL. He went on to serve as managing director at San Antonio FC and was at the club when they won the USL double in 2022.
Holt worked for the United Soccer League for 16 years, serving six years as president.
Zellefrow’s Transfer to UNC Announced
One of the top local players in the college game is on the move. Berwyn, Pa. native Ryan Zellefrow is heading south to North Carolina after two successful seasons at Vermont, where he won a national championship as a freshman in 2024 and went on to win a USL League Two championship with Vermont Green FC. Zellefrow played for FC Europa, Portland Timbers Academy, Conestoga High School and the Union Development Squad before leaving the area for college and has also played locally for West Chester United.
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College Soccer Signing Tracker
PIAA Approves Diagonal Refereeing System
One of the major complaints of PIAA high school soccer in Pennsylvania in recent years has been the dual refereeing system where there are two officials on the field with whistles instead of the traditional system of using a center and two assistant referees on the sidelines. The PIAA board recently approved an amendment last week to allow both systems to be used clearing the way at least for state finals and other big games to use the three referee system. Coupled with the state finals moving to Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, state finals will look a lot more like proper soccer matches beginning in fall 2026.
International Youth Camp Call-Ups
Sporting Athletic player Elan Hidalgo was recently called up to the Panama U-15 team national camp and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals player Nina Stanislaus received a call-up to the Brazil U-15 team. Penn Fusion midfielder Joelle Mateo (Cherry Hill, N.J.) has been with the Puerto Rico U-17 team and recently scored a goal in their game against Chile.
Penn Fusion Academy had five current and former players recently called up to U.S. youth camps with sisters Keira Kemmerley (Northwestern) and Kate Kemmerley both receiving call-ups to U-19 (Portugal) and U-18 (Spain) camps and Elayna Kocher and Cate Cantu also got a call for a U-18 camp. Penn Fusion midfielder Carly Barnes received a call-up to the U-16 girls team in Türkiye through the end of this week.
EPSA Amateur Cup Final Postponed Again
The EPSA Open Cup final that was scheduled for Sunday between West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge had to be postponed again. It was originally scheduled for December but weather got in the way then too. The new date is TBA.
West Chester United is heading into one of their busiest times of year with the return of APSL, the EPSA Open Cup and the USL League Two and NPSL seasons starting in May. They are also prepping for a big match on June 26 against a team from England in what is being billed as the Transcontinental Challenge Cup.
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Former Philadelphia Atom Remembered
Huddersfield Town fan favorite and former Philadelphia Atoms defender Roy Ellam recently passed away. He played one season in Philadelphia for the Atoms in 1975, scoring a goal in 16 appearances.
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