D.C. United Academy winger Griffin Yow has been called up to U-17 U.S. Men's National team for their upcoming October matches.
Marking the eighth gathering for the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team during the 2018-19 player cycle, U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team head coach Shaun Tsakiris has called in Yow and 20 additional players to travel across the Atlantic to compete in the 2018 U-17 International Youth Tournament. The tournament will take place in host cities Shropshire and Chester, England where the USA will face England, Brazil and Russia.
The tournament will be the final gathering for the U-17 MNT before the squad competes in the 2018 Nike International Friendlies in late November.
Coming on the heels of the 2018 Four Nations Tournament in Mexico City where the Stars and Stripes tested themselves against Mexico, Argentina and Chile, Tsakiris included nine players from that roster, while adding 12 new faces including first time call-ups to the U-17 player pool in forward Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas) and midfielder William Reilly (Atlanta United FC).
In England, the squad will take on U-17 counterparts England and Brazil on Friday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 14, respectively, before closing out the tournament against a Russia team that will field a mix of U-17 and U-18 players on Tues. Oct. 16.
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Teams</strong> |
<strong>Location</strong> |
<p><strong>Kickoff (ET</strong>)</p> |
<p>Fri., Oct. 12</p> |
<p>England vs. USA</p> |
<p>Deva Stadium, Chester</p> |
<p>2 p.m.</p> |
<p>Fri., Oct. 12</p> |
<p>Brazil vs. Russia</p> |
<p>The Weaver Stadium, Nantwich Town FC</p> |
<p>2 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sun., Oct. 14</p> |
<p>England vs. Russia</p> |
<p>New Meadow Stadium, Shrewsbury FC</p> |
<p>8 a.m.</p> |
<p>Sun., Oct. 14</p> |
<p>Brazil vs. USA</p> |
<p>The Weaver Stadium, Nantwich Town FC</p> |
<p>12 p.m.</p> |
<p>Tues., Oct. 16</p> |
<p>USA vs. Russia</p> |
<p>Wincham Park, Witton Albion FC</p> |
<p>2 p.m.</p> |
<p>Tues., Oct. 16</p> |
<p>Brazil vs. England</p> |
<p>New Bucks Head Stadium, AFC Telford</p> |
<p>2 p.m.</p> |
Of the 21 players called into the tournament, 20 currently play in or previously played at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The 20 players with ties to the Academy include nine players who earned Conference Best XI honors:
- Griffin Yow (East, U-16/17, 2018)
- Axel Alejandre (Central, U-15/16, 2017; Central, U-16/17, 2018)
- George Bello (East, U-15/16, 2017)
- Gianluca Busio (Central, U-15/16, 2017)
- Kobe Hernandez (West, U-16/17, 2018)
- Mason Judge (East, U-15/16, 2017; East, U-16/17, 2018)
- Damian Las (Central, U-15/16, 2017; Central, U-16/17, 2018)
- Adam Saldana (West, U-16/17, 2018)
- Joseph Scally (East, U-16/17, 2018)
Players from this U-17 squad will help form the core of the team that will attempt to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, through the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship. To be age eligible for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 2002. Twenty players on the roster were born in 2002. The youngest player called in, Ricardo Pepi, is the only player born in 2003.
Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Damian Las (Chicago Fire; Norridge, Ill.), Chituru Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Calgary, Alberta)
DEFENDERS (8): Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.), Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.), George Bello (Atlanta United FC; Douglasville, Ga.), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.), Mason Judge (Eintracht Frankfurt; Tampa, Fla.), Antino Lopez (Shattuck - St. Mary's; Las Vegas, Nev.), Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): William Reilly (Atlanta United FC; Decatur, Ga.), Daniel Robles (Seattle Sounders FC; White Center, Wash.), David Rodriguez (FC Dallas; Irving, Texas), Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.), Peter Stroud (West Ham United; Chester, N.J.)
FORWARDS (5): Sagir David Arce (Monarcas Morelia; Chihuahua, Mexico), Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City; Greensboro, N.C.), Andres Jasson (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Alfonso Ocampo Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Kent, Wash.), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas), Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.)
