CHICAGO (Nov. 13, 2013) – The U.S. U-17 Residency Program will gather for three days in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to play a pair of international friendlies against Canada from Nov. 15-17. In addition to the 28-player Residency roster, U-17 MNT head coach Richie Williams has also called in two non-Residency players in forward Joe Gallardo and defender Edwin Lara.
Two Red Bulls Academy products were named to the roster: defender Matthew Olosunde (Trenton, N.J.) and forward Sean Teixeira (Trumbull, Conn.)
The two friendlies come less than a month before the U.S. U-17 MNT takes part in the Nike International Friendlies and Development Academy Showcase from Dec. 9-15 in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., where the U.S. will face Brazil, England and Portugal.
Twenty seven of the 30 players on the roster that will face Canada have ties to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, while eight players represent five different MLS Academy teams including, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.
U.S. U-17 Residency Roster – Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): William Pulisic (Richmond Strikers; Mechanicsville, Va.), Abraham Romero (LA Galaxy Academy; Altadena, Calif.), Kevin Silva (PDA; Bethlehem, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (11): Hugo Arellano (Chivas USA Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), George Braima (Crew Soccer Academy; Columbus, Ohio), Pierre Da Silva (New York Soccer Club; Port Chester, N.Y.), Nikkye De Point (Revolution Empire; Rochester, N.Y.), Tanner Dieterich (TN Soccer Club; Nashville, Tenn.), Edwin Lara (Unattached; San Laredo, Calif.), Cristian Martinez (NJSA 04; Mine Hill, N.J.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Elijah Rice (Chicago Magic PSG; Highland Park, Ill.), Alexis Velela (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Ronaldo Escudero (Pateadores; Placentia, Calif.), Kyle Gurrieri (NJSA 04; Totowa, N.J.), Thomas McCabe (PDA; South Orange, N.J.),Weston McKennie (FC Dallas Academy; Little Elm, Tex.), Logan Panchot (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Mo.), Devin Vega (San Antonio Scorpions; San Antonio, Tex.), Brian Zelaya (De Anza Force; San Mateo, Calif.), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas Academy; El Paso, Tex.)
FORWARDS (7): Kevin Coleman (FC Richmond; Warrenton, Va.), Joe Gallardo (Monterrey FC; San Diego, Calif.), David Loera (Orlando City Lions; Orlando, Fla.), Jonathan Navarro (De Anza Force; San Jose, Calif.), Christian Pulisic (PA Classics; Hershey, Pa.), Sean Teixeira (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trumbull, Conn.), Haji Wright (LA Galaxy Academy; Los Angeles, Calif.)
Additional Notes:
• Sixteen players were part of the U.S. U-17 MNT that went unbeaten (1-0-2) on a recent tour of Madrid, Spain, including the Red Bulls' Olosunde.
• During the trip to Spain, Wright scored a hat trick and recorded an assist against Rayo Vallecano, while Gallardo scored in each of the team’s first two matches against Las Rozas and Real Madrid.
