Zachary Pfeffer and Michael Chang share an awful lot in common. Both are standout midfielders for the US U14 Boys National Team, and both are motivated and enhanced by close siblings who also excel in the game.

Not to mention that both US soccer veterans stood out amidst a collection of talent this past week at the US U14 Boys National camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Chang, a 5-foot-8 midfielder, is an aggressive player with good feet. He played his comfortable position this week, which he also plays for his Chicago-area Sockers FC, after playing on the back line in past gatherings and during the team’s January camp in Mexico.  

Chang is motivated and aided by his brother Andrew, two years his elder, and a standout national pool player himself.

Michael arrived at the camp sharp and prepared to play, even though he admits he needed to make adjustments during the week.

“The first game I played the team was much bigger and stronger than us and the physical play was tough,” Chang said. “In the second game we were used to it and performed better. The training has mostly been the same but I think I’ve done pretty well.”

Pfeffer recorded a goal and an assist in one scrimmage and was a force with his technical ability and understanding of the game.

Pfeffer, who also made the trip to Mexico in January along with teammates Zackary Steffen, Dylan Greenberg, Emerson Hyndman, Paul Arriola and Kellyn Acosta, has a twin brother Jared. Both star for YMS Celtic in Eastern Pennsylvania and sharpen each other’s skills.

Pfeffer is used to measuring himself against other players, as he finds himself doing during the weeklong national trainings.

“I think you have to,” he said. “You have to know what you need to work on and how you compare. I think I had a good camp. The first game I wasn’t as strong as I wanted to be, and the coach talked to me about some things and he said he liked what he saw from me the second time around. Every time you come out to these you have to work your hardest and compete all the time.”

Both players will likely be competing in youth national camps for the foreseen future, but that doesn’t mean either will ever be satisfied.

“Everyone needs to improve, no one has ever arrived,” Chang said. “It’s good to come here and learn how to get to the next level.”

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U14 BNT CAMP ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Jonathan Davis (Charlotte United FC), Ethan Horvath (Real Colorado), Scott Levene (Beachside SC), Zackary Steffen (FC Delco).

DEFENDERS: Kellyn Acosta (ASG Gold), Russell Canouse (PA Classics), Feliciano Charles (CD Chivas), Dylan Greenberg (Dix Hills), Matthew Habrowski (Deanza Force), Trevor Haberkorn (Solar SC), Michael Hinkson (CASL), Emilio Huerta (Deanza Force), Austin Marques (ISC Strikers), Matthew Miazga (NY Red Bulls), Vincent Reyes (LAFC Chelsea), Christian Sady (New England Aztecs).

MIDFIELDERS: Michael Chang (Sockers FC), Nicko Corriveau (Bethesda SC), Emerson Hyndman (Dallas Texans), Anthony Jeffries (Chicago Fire Juniors), Emilio Lopez (Madison FC), Antonio Murillo (Brazil FC), Adam Najem (NY Red Bulls), Zachary Pfeffer (YMS Celtic), Miguel Polley (Michigan Wolves), Christian Rodriguez (LMVS Hawks), John Toher (NY Red Bulls), Travis Wannemuehler (FC Evansville).

FORWARDS: Martin Arrieta (LAFC Chelsea), Paul Arriola (Chula Vista Rangers), Michael Gray (Las Vegas FC), Kevin Labastida (Fullerton Rangers), Kennedy O’Shea (DC United), Devonte Small (Dallas Texans), Antonio Velazquez (Neusport Green), Henry Wingo (NW Nationals).