Five Atlanta United Academy prospects have been called up for the latest U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team training camp. Head coach John Hackworth named goalkeeper Justin Garces, defenders Charlie Asensio and George Bello, midfielder Chris Goslin and forward Andrew Carleton in his 25-man squad for a 10-day training camp in Bradenton, Florida.
The camp will serve as another preparation opportunity for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, marking the third domestic gathering for the U-17 MNT since they qualified for the World Cup at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship. Seventeen of the 25 players are returning from last month’s International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek, where the group gained valuable international experience and finished third after a 4-0 win over Iceland in its placement match.
“Coming off our recent tournament in the Czech Republic, this pre-World Cup training camp will be an opportunity to work on specific details that we feel will be important to be able to execute as a team in India,” Hackworth said. “There is competition at every roster spot, but this group always keeps that competitive element in a healthy perspective relative to the overall goals of the team.”
The U.S. is set to kick off against host India on opening night of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup on October 6, followed by Group Stage matches with Ghana on Oct. 9 and Colombia on Oct. 12. The first two games will be played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, while the third will be played at Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Of the 25 players brought into camp, 24 have registered at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. All but five were born in 2000: Taylor Booth, Bryan Reynolds Jr., Ulysses Llanez and Indiana Vassilev were each born in 2001, while George Bello was born in 2002. It’s Bello’s debut in the U-17 Men’s National Team player pool.
Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces (Atlanta United FC; Miami, Fla.), Quantrell Jones (D.C. United; Baltimore, Md.)
DEFENDERS (8): Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy, Glendora, Calif.), Carlos Asensio (Atlanta United FC; Roswell, Ga.), Ethan Bartlow (Crossfire Premier; Woodinville, Wash.), George Bello (Atlanta United FC, Douglassville, Ga.), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Tyler Shaver (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Akil Watts (Portland Timbers, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): George Acosta (North Carolina FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake; Eden, Utah), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Locust Grove, Ga.), Alex Mendez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Indiana Vassilev (Unattached; Savannah, Ga.)
FORWARDS (7): Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton Ont.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Matthew Hundley (Colorado Rapids; Littleton, Colo.), Ulysses Llanez (LA Galaxy; Lynwood, Calif.), Alejandro Pereira (Orlando City SC; Oveido, Fla.), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallon, Mo.)
