U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team head coach Javier Perez has called in 20 players for a Dec. 11-20 camp in Marbella, Spain. The USA’s international trip also includes two matches against Germany’s U-18s on Dec. 17 and 19.
This is the U-18 MNT’s fourth international trip of the year and seventh camp overall.
Thirteen players among this group were part of the U-18 MNT’s championship group at the 21st International Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the Czech Republic in August. Some of the returning players from that perfect 3-0-0 showing include Jonathan Klinsmann who was named the tournament’s top goalkeeper, forward Sebastian Elney who recorded a brace against Hungary, and midfielder Collin Fernandez who led the team with two assists and added a goal.
Four players who had taken part in their first U-18 MNT camp in late October have returned for this trip to Spain. They include midfielder James Murphy, who earned a national Academy title with Players Development Academy’s U-18s this past summer, D.C. United Academy midfielder Eryk Williamson, Oakwood SC midfielder Michael Boakye and San Jose Earthquakes Academy midfielder Amir Bashti.
Eighteen of the 20 players are currently with Development Academy clubs, and 19 have Academy ties.
The U-18 MNT is 4-6-1 in international competition in 2014.
U-18 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jonathan Klinsmann (Strikers FC; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls; Brooklyn, N.Y.), Malcolm Jones (LA Galaxy; Chino Hills, Calif.), Pablo Pelaez (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bolingbrook, Ill.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City; Oviedo, Fla.), Antonee Robinson (Everton; Liverpool, England)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Amir Bashti (San Jose Earthquakes; Cupertino, Calif.), Michael Boakye (Oakwood SC; Glastonbury, Conn.), Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire; Downers Grove, Ill.), Cameron Lindley (Chicago Fire; Carmel, Ind.), James Murphy (Players Development Academy; Scotch Plains, N.J.), Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew SC; Grove City, Ohio), Jackson Yueill (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Bloomington, Minn.), Eyrk Williamson (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.)
FORWARDS (4): Sebastian Elney (Philadelphia Union; Boca Raton, Fla.), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake AZ; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders FC; Des Moines, Wash.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Casa Grande, Ariz.)
