FIFA U-17 World Cup Qualifying: CONCACAF
Four members of the Atlanta United Academy were called up by their nations for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qualifiers. Zyen Jones, joined by ATLUTD first team members Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin, was selected by U.S. U-17 head coach John Hackworth. Meanwhile, Kendall Edwards and Blake White were called into the Jamaican U-17 National Team, as well as Alex Bahr to the Honduras U-17 National Team.
All of the above Atlanta United players will be competing in Panama over the next two weeks looking to earn qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup this coming October in India.
2017 Generation Adidas Cup Finals:
The Atlanta United U-16s have returned from a grueling 10 days in Frisco, Texas after taking on some of the world’s best youth academies including River Plate, Real Madrid, Malaga CF, Tijuana FC, and MLS counterpart, Colorado Rapids. The U-16s finished in 3rd place in Group C, and displayed great skill, teamwork, and perseverance to stay in games with River Plate (2-1 Loss) and Malaga CF (3-2 loss).
In the match against Real Madrid, Atlanta United was unlucky not to get more out of a game where they held good spells of possession and created several key scoring chances, including a Jackson Conway 25-yard shot that smashed the crossbar. Real Madrid punced on a few lapses in concentration, proving to be the difference. Atlanta United’s two other matches against Colorado Rapids and Club Tijuana were decided by penalty kicks. The U-16s defeated the Rapids 5-4 on PKs thanks to a diving save from Sai Brown. On the final day after a gritty 1-1 end to regulation, ATL UTD fell in a 5-4 penalty kick shootout against Club Tijuana.
The Atlanta United U-12s (composed of players born in 2005) took part in the U-12 Generation Adidas Cup over the final three days. This was an incredible experience for them to be exposed to players from other MLS clubs but also high-caliber international competition.
The U-12s embraced the challenge and came away with a 3-2-1 record after wins against MLS sides San Jose Earthquakes, Columbus Crew SC, and the New England Revolution. The two defeats came at the hands of Villarreal CF and FC Dallas, and on day two played the Philadelphia Union to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
U-20 National Team Call-Ups:
Atlanta United’s Lagos Kunga has returned from a successful U.S. U-20 Training Camp in London, England. Kunga was deployed mostly on the left wing for the U-20s in their two friendlies versus Fulham FC U-23s and EFL Championship side Brentford FC.
Lagos Kunga in the Starting XI for the U.S. U-20s with Atlanta United first teamer, Miles Robinson.
The following Atlanta United 2003s and 2004s were invited to the U.S. Soccer National Training Center held at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground on April 19th:
2003s:
- Valentin Bargana
- Alejandro De Villena
- Ethan Fowlks
- Betwel Mateyo
- Ayodeji Owoseni
- Vicente Reyes
- Christopher Sanchez
- Micah Worton
2004s:
- Mateo Bargagna
- Abraham Gonzalez
- Jose De Avila
- Nathan Richmond
- Sam Newmeyer
- Nigel Prince
- Dagoberto Romero
