U.S. Under-17 MNT to Take Part in U.S. Soccer/Nike Club Tournament
CHICAGO (Monday, November 12, 2001) - The U.S. Soccer Federation and Nike are teaming up to host the U.S. Soccer/Nike Club Tournament featuring the U-17 Men's National Team in Bradenton, Fla., from Nov. 30 - Dec. 3.
Nov. 12, 2001
CHICAGO (Monday, November 12, 2001) - The U.S. Soccer Federation and Nike are teaming up to host the U.S. Soccer/Nike Club Tournament featuring the U-17 Men's National Team in Bradenton, Fla., from Nov. 30 - Dec. 3. The event will include 15 teams playing in the Under-17 / Under-18 age group - including the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team - as well as four teams in the Under-15 / Under-16 age group.
This unique four-day event will see a total of 28 matches played and three evening coaching sessions led by U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach John Ellinger and his coaching staff. The evening coaching sessions are open to club coaches throughout the United States and all State Association Directors of Coaching.
"This event will showcase some of the best young players in the United States, and we look at this as something that will provide these players with an extremely competitive environment." said Ellinger.
The tournament includes three of the elite club programs in the United States, as the Chicago Sockers, FC Delco and Colorado Rush were all represented in the finals of the 2001 USYS National Championships. FC Delco sent three men's teams to the USYS finals, winning the Under-19 and Under-15 titles, and losing to the Chicago Sockers at the Under-16 level in overtime. The Colorado Rush lost in the Under-18 men's final.
The U.S. Under-17 team will include seven starters from the 2001 Under-17 World Championship team, including Ed Johnson, and nine players already involved in U.S. Soccer's full-time residency program in preparation for the 2003 Under-17 World Championship in Finland. The U.S. Under-17s recently returned from a three-game tour in Mexico that saw Ellinger's team post a win, a draw and a loss against older Mexican club teams. Mike Magee scored a pair of goals and 15-year-old Corey Ashe added a goal and two assists to go along with Josh Villalobos' two assists.
The 15 teams competing in the Under-17/Under-18 Age Group are: the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team, Under-19 IMG Academy Team, Under-17 IMG Academy Team, Houston Texans, Chicago Sockers, Syracuse Blitz, Colorado Rush, Blackwatch SC (N.Y.), Under-18 FC Delco, Under-17 FC Delco, Under-16 Delco, Plantation SC Under-16s, West Kendall SC Under-16s, Blackwatch FC (Fla.) and Naples (Fla.) SC.
The IMG Under-15 Academy Team, FC Delco U-15s, Lakeland U-16s and Blackwatch U-15s make up the Under-15/Under-16 group.
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United States Under-17 Men's National Team Roster | |||||||
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Birthdate | Hometown | Club |
| 9 | Ashe, Corey | F | 5'5" | 135 | 03/14/86 | Virginia Beach, Va. | Beach FC Impact |
| 16 | Capano, Craig | M | 5'4" | 115 | 07/07/85 | Hyde Park, N.Y. | Chicago Sockers FC |
| 8 | DiRaimondo, John | M | 5'6" | 140 | 04/23/86 | St. Louis, Mo. | Busch SC |
| 20 | Forbes, Erik | D | 5'11" | 160 | 03/03/84 | Seneca, S.C. | Greenville FC |
| 4 | Gaven, Eddie | M | 6'0" | 145 | 10/25/86 | Hamilton, N.J. | Hibernians FC |
| 2 | Gonzalez, Guillermo | M | 5'11" | 145 | 01/04/86 | Paramount, Calif. | Irvine Strikers |
| 12 | Griffin, Gray | D | 6'0" | 170 | 01/02/84 | Huntersville, N.C. | Charlotte SC |
| 5 | Harrington, Michael | F | 5'11" | 155 | 01/24/86 | Greenville, N.C. | CASL Elite |
| 10 | Johnson, Edward | F | 6'0" | 170 | 03/31/84 | Palm Coast, Fla. | Dallas Burn (MLS) |
| 6 | Lancos, Chris | D | 6'1" | 160 | 07/12/84 | Belford, N.J. | Middletown Vipers |
| 7 | Magee, Mike | F | 5'9" | 150 | 09/02/84 | Long Grove, Ill. | Chicago Sockers FC |
| 3 | Mapp, Justin | M | 5'10" | 140 | 10/18/84 | Brandon, Miss. | Jackson FC |
| 1 | Marfuggi, Phil | GK | 5'11" | 165 | 01/15/86 | West Windsor, N.J. | PDA United |
| 11 | Olatomiwa, Ogunsola | D | 5'7" | 145 | 03/18/86 | Woodbridge, Va. | Potomac Cougars |
| 14 | Owens, Brandon | D | 5'11" | 160 | 01/23/86 | Murrieta, Calif. | La Jolla Nomads |
| 19 | Pearce, Heath | M | 5'10" | 155 | 08/13/84 | Modesto, Calif. | Ajax United |
| 18 | Schuerman, Adam | GK | 5'10" | 180 | 06/04/84 | Brookfield, Wis. | Elmbrook United |
| 15 | Stone, Jordan | M | 5'9" | 145 | 03/16/84 | Allen, Texas | Dallas Texans |
| 17 | Villalobos, Josh | M | 5'4" | 120 | 11/13/85 | Fayetteville, N.C. | Charlotte SC |
| 13 | Vogl, Eric | D | 5'8" | 140 | 03/12/86 | Fayetteville, Ga. | AFC Lightning |
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Team Staff | ||
| Head Coach | John Ellinger | Bradenton, Fla. |
| Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach | Peter Mellor | Palm Harbor, Fla. |
| Team Coordinator | Jeff McRaney | Sarasota, Fla. |
| Trainer | Jacob Joachim | Sarasota, Fla. |
| Equipment Manager | Beau Abdulla | Bradenton, Fla. |
| Press Officer | Forrest Eber | Chicago |
