U.S. U-17 MNT Travels with 24-Man Roster For Copa Saprissa Internacional

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica, on June 21 to compete at the 2012 Copa Saprissa Internacional Tournament. During the trip, the U.S. is scheduled to face Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico, among other teams.

CHICAGO (June 13, 2012) – U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Richie Williams has named a 24-player roster for the Copa Saprissa Internacional tournament in San Jose, Costa Rica. The U.S. will hold a domestic training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from June 17-21 before departing for Costa Rica on June 21.

The U.S. U-17 Men are scheduled to play up to seven matches during the 12-team tournament, beginning on June 23 against Linafa U-17 Select, a Costa Rican club team.

Other scheduled opponents for the U.S. are Honduras (June 24), Costa Rica (June 25), Panamanian club side Chorrillo FC (June 26) and Mexico (June 27), as well as two possible playoff or friendly matches on June 29 and July 1.

A total of 16 players on the roster traveled to the 40th Mondial Minimes tournament in Montaigu, France, in early April. The U.S. earned a fifth-place finish in that tournament while winning three-of-four matches.

Williams will lead the team in an international tournament for the second time since taking the reins of the U.S. U-17 MNT program at the end of January.

Nineteen of the 24 players are part of U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs, with New York Red Bulls Academy sending four players.

All of the players were born in 1996, with the exception of midfielder Cameron Lindley, who is the only player born in 1997.

U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Copa Saprissa Internacional Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders Academy; Woodinville, Wash.), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls Academy; South River, N.J.)
DEFENDERS (10): Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA Academy; Westminster, Calif.), Jordan Cano (FC Dallas Academy; Richardson, Texas), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Jorge Miranda (Real So Cal; Van Nuys, Calif.), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls Academy; Morganville, N.J.), John Requejo, Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Gonzalo Rolon (Central California Blues; Bakersfield, Calif.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Junior Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes Academy; San Jose, Calif.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls Academy; Ridgefield, N.J.), Cameron Lindley (Indiana United Academy; Carmel, Ind.), Aaron Meyer (FC Dallas Academy; Carrollton, Tex.), Rolando Muñoz (LA Galaxy Academy; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea SC; Garland, Texas)
FORWARDS (4): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Bradford Jamieson (Chivas USA Academy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls Academy; South Orange, N.J.