So what do we make of the recently announced roster for the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team Fall Residency? 

 

Well, for starters there sure are a lot of New York Red Bulls. Seven, to be exact. 

 

With a premier region and the MLS behind them, the Red Bulls are a glamour club for sure – but seven? 

 

The club is certainly doing something right, and most encouragingly the Red Bulls seem to be toeing the line between development and results.

 

The new U17 residents from the New York club include: Alek Gogic, Evan Louro, Kevin Politz, Brandon Tetro, Steven Echevarria, Christopher Lema and

Wesley Wade.

 

“We’re happy for them,” said Red Bulls U15/U16 coach Robert Elliott. “The kids worked hard and they earned it. It’s nice along the way to be recognized (by making residency) but making the U17 program isn’t the end of the line for these kids.

 

“We’re looking more towards having guys make the full team. We try to get the most out of our players and push them to the next level.”

 

Louro, Politz, Echevarria, Lema and Wade also made appearances at the U.S. U15 BNT Camp in July.

 

In all, 25 of the 32-player roster were present at the U15 camp where we learned quite a bit about this group of talent. 

 

Attackers like Adonis Amaya, a goal-scorer with good size, Alejandro Segovia and Lema were obvious standouts this month. Defenders Politz – big, strong and comfortable on set pieces – Vernon Bailey and John Requejo are experienced players who should continue to flourish in Bradenton, Florida.   

 

The entire U17 Residency group, all born in 1996, is at the beginning of a two-year cycle that will culminate with the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship with the goal of qualifying for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

 

The U.S. players live on campus at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., and train in the morning under the guidance of coach Wilmer Cabrera and assistant coaches Paul Grafer and Erik Imler. In the afternoon, the players attend classes at St. Stephens Episcopal School. 

 

 

GOALKEEPERS (4): Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders FC; Woodinville, Wash.), Alek Gogic (New York Red Bulls; Fort Lee, N.J.) Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls; South River, N.J.), Nedin Tucakovic (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.) 

 

DEFENDERS (9): Vernon Bailey (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Matthew Nance (Vardar SC Freiburg; Washington, Mich.), Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), John Requejo (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Bruno Scodari (Olney Boys and Girls Club; Silver Springs, Md.), Brandon Tetro (New York Red Bulls; Colts Neck, N.J.), Thomas Ziemer (Atletico Santa Rosa; Glen Allen, Calif.) 

 

MIDFIELDERS (11): Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA; Westminster, Calif.), Jorge Calix (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Steven Echevarria (New York Red Bulls; Slate Hill, N.Y.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Guyllian Kabala (New England Revolution; Manchester, N.H.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J.), Declan McCabe (New England Revolution; Weston, Mass.), Herber Mejia-Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC; Powder Springs Ga.), Dean Rutherford (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.) 

 

FORWARDS (8): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Bradford Jamieson (Chivas USA; Los Angeles, Calif.), Danya Kafai (Juventus Sports Club; Redwood City, Calif.), DeAndre Robinson (Concorde Fire; Atlanta, Ga.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Alejandro Segovia (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls; South Orange, N.J.), Dembakwi Yomba (Concorde Fire Academy; Lithonia, Ga.)