Eric Calvillo is switching coasts. The Palmdale, California-native signed a professional deal with New York Cosmos of the NASL last week. Calvillo joins fellow former U.S. U17 Men’s National Team member Alexis Velela on the Cosmos roster. Haji Wright, also a member of the U17 MNT, was part of the Cosmos last season but he left the club during the offseason. 

Calvillo is a defensive midfielder who appeared in all three of the U.S. games at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile. He has been a staple of the youth national team for the 1998 age group for the past few seasons. His tackling and interceptions helped him earn a crucial role with the squad during the World Cup. Over the years, he has improved as an attacking option from his deep lying spot in the midfield. His long range shooting and distribution have improved since joining the U17 MNT. 

“Eric [Calvillo] is a talented player with great potential,” Cosmos head coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese said in a press release. “We are committed to developing young players and offering them a pathway in professional soccer. Last year we added the B team and this year our fully funded academy will start. Players like Eric Calvillo and Alexis Velela are part of this investment.” 

Calvillo’s arrival at Cosmos is not a complete surprise, as the midfielder had interest from a club in Belgium in the past. Super agent Rob Moore, who also represents Haji Wright and Christian Pulisic, helped arrange the trials with European clubs, but Calvillo lacked the necessary passport to make the move across the Atlantic at the youth level. The midfielder turns 18 years old in May. 

Moore used the Cosmos as a holding place for Wright before he turned 18, so he could join Schalke after the brief stint with the NASL side.

Former U20 joins Strikers 

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers also picked up a former U.S. youth national team player this week. The NASL side signed midfielder Luis Fernandes, 19, on Monday. Fernandes previously played with Cruziero in Brazil. He was part of the U20 player pool in 2014. 

Pulisic Fever

Christian Pulisic continues to tear up defenses with Borussia Dortmund’s first team. His latest exploit came against Union Berlin, where he scored a goal and added an assist as he had another impressive showing in a friendly with the first team. The exploits came the day after being named to the bench for the first team's 3-1 win against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

The Weah Way

Current U.S. U17 MNT forward Timothy Weah is excelling with PSG. Le Parisian TV caught up with Tim and his father George to get an update on the youngster at the French club. The younger Weah looks to be a key piece of the U17 MNT that is building up to the 2017 U17 World Cup. 

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