SAN DIEGO – With about two months to go until the U-17 World Cup, the U.S. will play International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the Czech Repub
SAN DIEGO – With about two months to go until the U-17 World Cup, the U.S. will play International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the Czech Republic in preparation for the big event. The U.S. will play a total of 4 games during this tournament in Czech Republic, and head coach Richie Williams has finalized his roster for the tournament.
There are 20 players in this roster and 8 of them are from California. Defenders Hugo Arellano from LA Galaxy Academy and San Diego native Alexis Velela from New York Cosmos. Midfielders Eric Calvillo from Real So Cal, San Diego native Luca de la Torre from Fulham. Forwards San Diego native Joe Gallardo from C.F. Monterrey, Josh Perez (unattached), Brandon Vazquez from Club Tijuana, and Haji Wright from New York Cosmos.
The headline player on this squad is Christian Pusilic, who is widely regarded as the top prospect in U.S. soccer right now, as he plays for Borussia Dortmund in Germany. In the midfield with Pusilic, there is San Diego native Luca de la Torre who is a San Diego Surf prodigy and currently plays at Fulham FC in London. The attacking focal point is California native Haji Wright who recently signed with the New York Cosmos and is also one of the top prospects in the country.
The tournament begins for the US on August 18th against Russia, on the next day against Slovenia, and finishes up the group stage on August 21st against Slovakia. A placement game will be played on August 22nd.
The U-17 World Cup will take place in Chile and will happen between October 17th and November 8th.
U.S. U-17 Roster:
Goalkeepers: William Pulisic (Richmond United; Mechanicsville, Va.), Kevin Silva (Players Development Academy; Bethlehem, Pa.)
Defenders: Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Tanner Dieterich (Real Salt Lake Academy; Nashville, Tenn.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union Academy; Media, Pa.), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls II; Wappinger Falls, N.Y.), Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Luca de la Torre (Fulham; San Diego, Calif.), Thomas McCabe (Players Development Academy; South Orange, N.J.), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund; Hershey, Pa.), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas; El Paso, Texas)
Forwards: Pierre da Silva (Orlando City SC Academy; Port Chester, N.Y.), Joe Gallardo (C.F. Monterrey; San Diego, Calif.), Josh Perez (Unattached; La Habra, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Haji Wright (New York Cosmos; Los Angeles, Calif.)
