The 18-player roster for US Club Soccer’s 2012 id2 National Selection International Tour has been finalized in advance of the Feb. 17-27 journey to Spain, where the team will face FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, as well as a combined match against RCD Espanyol and UE Cornellà.
 
A total of 15 clubs and 11 states are represented on the roster (below), which is comprised of a team of male players born in 1998 selected from the two Fall 2011 id2 Program Training Camps.
 
The squad will face four opponents while overseas in addition to conducting training sessions and experiencing the day-to-day culture of some of the world’s most well-known professional clubs. The players will have the opportunity to see some of Spain’s largest cities, including Barcelona and Madrid.
 
A day after arriving in Barcelona, the id2 National Selection will take on both UE Cornellà and RCD Espanyol for one half each on Sun., Feb. 19. The matches will take place at the home ground of UE Cornellà with the first contest starting at 8:50 a.m. local time (2:50 a.m. ET).
 
The team will tour the famous L'Estadi Camp Nou on Mon., Feb. 20, a day before facing FC Barcelona at the club’s official training complex – Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Kickoff on Tue., Feb. 21 is set for 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET).
 
After transferring to Madrid, the id2 National Selection will close out its competitive schedule at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) on Thurs., Feb. 23 against Atlético Madrid. The match is slated to take place at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the governing body of soccer in Spain.
 
The team will cap off the trip by attending the FC Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid La Liga game at Estadio Vicente Calderón on Sun., Feb. 26.
 
Joining the squad as a member of the traveling party will be U.S. Soccer Technical Advisor Juan Carlos Michia. Numerous former members of the id2 National Selection team have earned invitations into U.S. U-14 Boys’ National Team Camps in the months immediately following past tours, including multiple players who made their first appearance at a U.S. Soccer camp.
 
“We are very excited to have such a great collection of talented young players from all over the country assembled for the 2012 id2 National Selection International Tour,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer’s id2 Boys’ Program Director. “They will have a tremendous opportunity to not only compete against the youth academies from some of the world’s best clubs, but also to take in Spanish culture and experience life in a different country.”
 
Two of the players are veterans of the 2011 id2 National Selection International Tour, as Logan Panchot and Kevin Silva will return to the id2 National Selection squad.
 
Consistent with US Club Soccer’s philosophy that there should be zero or very little cost for participation in the id2 Program, US Club Soccer is funding the tour in conjunction with the strong support of Nike. There is no cost to players.
 
Once again this year, fans will be able to follow the id2 National Selection International Tour through video journals and updates posted on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. To take a look back at last year’s id2 National Selection International Tour, follow the links below.
 
The 2012 id2 National Selection International Tour was coordinated in conjunction with Premier International Tours, The Official International Tour Partner of US Club Soccer.
 
ROSTER:
Harry Adanuty, Christian Albelo, Danny Barbir, George Braima, Chaz Burnett, Jonathan Navarro, Matthew Olosunde, A.J. Palazzolo, Logan Panchot, Christian Pulisic, Elijah Rice, Juan Riley, Chad Sahinkaya, Kevin Silva, John Skahan, Raheem Taylor-Parkes, Suniel Veerakone, Andrew Verdi
 
Head of Delegation:  Tom Atencio (Portland, Ore.)
Head Coach:  Gerry McKeown (Summit, N.J.)
Assistant Coach:  Benjamin Ziemer (Sebastopol, Calif.)
 
GAME SCHEDULE:

•     Sun., Feb. 19 | vs. UE Cornellà & RCD Espanyol | Home ground of UE Cornellà | 8:50 a.m. CET (2:50 a.m. ET)
•     Tue., Feb. 21 | at FC Barcelona | Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper | 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET)
•     Thu., Feb. 23 | vs. Atlético Madrid | Ciudad del Fútbol | 8 p.m. CET (2 p.m. ET)