U17 MNT heads to Atlanta for World Cup prep

by U.S. Soccer

July 20, 2017

CHICAGO (July 20, 2017) – U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth has named a 29-player roster for the team’s first domestic camp since the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. From July 21-29, the U.S. will descend upon Atlanta United FC’s training grounds for a nine-day training camp that will include a number of friendlies against local competition, including Tormenta FC of the Premier Development League and the National Premier Soccer League’s Atlanta Silverbacks.

“This camp marks the start of our World Cup preparations,” Hackworth said. “Therefore, it’s important to try to get this large player pool back together and focused on their preparations for the next two months.”

The camp marks the first gathering for the player pool (birth year 2000 or later) since Hackworth named 20 players for the 2017 International Festival in Buenos Aires and Rosario, Argentina, where the U.S. faced Argentine First Division youth clubs Rosario Central and Newells Old Boys, as well as the Uruguay U-18 National team.

With the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup quickly approaching and the U.S. set to kick off against host India on opening night, the Atlanta camp will be the first of four gatherings for Hackworth and his coaching staff to evaluate the player pool and test it against professional competition.

Of the 29 players brought into camp, 26 have registered at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Nine have registered four seasons in the Academy: Jake Arteaga, Carlos Asensio, Chris Gloster, Matthew Hundley, Jaylin Lindsey, Alejandro Pereira, Josh Sargent, Tyler Shaver and Adrian Villegas. 26 players were born in 2000, making 2001-born Taylor Booth, Bryan Reynolds Jr. and Indiana Vassilev the youngest players in the group. Three players are making their debuts with the U-17 Men’s National Team in 2017: Sam Fowler, Brayan Padilla and Sebastian Soto.

This group of players is nearing the end of its two-year cycle and will move up to the U-19 age group after the U-17 World Cup.

Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Sam Fowler (Seattle Sounders FC; Issaquah, Wash.), Justin Garces (Atlanta United FC; Miami, Fla.), Quantrell Jones (Baltimore Celtic; Baltimore, Md.)

DEFENDERS (9): Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy, Glendora, Calif.), Carlos Asensio (Atlanta United FC; Roswell, Ga.), Ethan Bartlow (Crossfire Premier; Woodinville, Wash.), Sergino Dest (Ajax; Almere-stad, Netherlands), Chris Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Tyler Shaver (Beachside SC; Greenwich, Conn.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Akil Watts (IMG Academy; Fort Wayne, Ind.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake AZ; Eden, Utah), Chris Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Locust Grove, Ga.), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy; Savannah, Ga.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.)

FORWARDS (9): Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Matthew Hundley (Real Colorado; Littleton, Colo.), Zyen Jones (Atlanta United FC; Clarkston, Ga.), Brayan Padilla (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas) Alejandro Pereira (Orlando City SC; Oveido, Fla.), Jacobo Reyes (C.F. Monterrey; Monterrey, Mexico), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas), Josh Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallen, Mo.), Sebastian Soto (Real Salt Lake AZ; Carlsbad, Calif.)

Related Topics: Youth National Teams