The U.S. U17 Men’s National Team kicked off another round of international competition with a 2-1 win over Korea Republic on Wednesday at the Nike International Friendlies in Phoenix, Arizona.

Coach Wilmer Cabrera has brought in a squad of 20 players (listed below) as the U.S. team tries to continue developing harmony in preparation for the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup in June.

Mobi Fehr

Fresh off a trip to Europe, where the team earned a 2-2 tie against Manchester City and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Scotland, the U17s have made a few changes to the previous traveling roster to give the group a new look.

Among the tweaks, defender Luis Martir, midfielder Matt Dunn and striker Paul Arriola have made the trek to Phoenix after not making the squad in Europe.

Midfielder Dillon Serna made both trips – learning that he was on the most recent 20 Friday – and is excited to employ the recent lessons he’s learned.

“I think we are coming along really well,” Serna said. “I learned that playing simple is the key during games at the international level. The biggest challenge for us is scoring before our opponent, and (coach Cabrera) has really focused on playing simple and improving our technique.

“We’re very excited to play these international games.”

For the first time, the six-game round-robin event, that also includes Brazil and Turkey, will be played as a tournament and crown a champion.

That should give even greater incentive to a U.S. team trying to make winning a habit.  

Earlier this month, the U17 group enjoyed strong victories over Development Academy teams like New York Red Bull Academy and Crossfire Premier.

Thus far, the U.S. U17 team has gotten a nice boost from newcomers like Mobi Fehr and Colton Storm.

Other players who have performed strongly thus far are Andrew Oliver, Mario Rodriguez  and Marc Pelosi.

The U.S. will play Brazil on Friday followed by a finale match against Turkey on Sunday.

It’s another test, and another chance for growth for the young Americans.

U.S. U-17 MNT Roster by Position (for UK trip, courtesy US Soccer)

GOALKEEPERS (2): Kendall McIntosh (Mustang Academy; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Fernando Pina (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas),
DEFENDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Mobi Fehr (Tokyo Verdy 1969; Tokyo, Japan), Alessandro Mion (Kendall SC; Miami, Fla.), Nathan Smith (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.), Andrew Souders (Crew Soccer Academy; Amherst, Ohio), Danny Zaid (Camp Elite Guatemala; Guatemala City)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Joseph Amon (South Carolina United FC; Summerville, S.C.), Alejandro Guido (Aztecs Premier; Chula Vista, Calif.), Nicholas Melo (Florida Rush; Kissimmee, Fla.), Marc Pelosi (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Esteban Rodriguez (Cosmos Academy West; Palmdale, Calif.), Tarik Salkicic (Strictly Soccer; Pinellas Park, Fla.), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids; Brighton, Colo.)
FORWARDS (5): Daniel Flores (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Alex Muyl (Cosmos Academy East; New York, N.Y.), Andrew Oliver (Westside United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Mario Rodriguez (Central Aztecs; North Hollywood, Calif.), Cole Seiler (CESA; Anderson, S.C.)

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