U.S. U-15 BNT roster named for Nike International Friendlies
CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team 00’ head coach John Hackworth named a 20-player roster that will compete at the 12th annual Nike International Friendlies in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, from Dec. 2-7.
U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team 00’ Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces (Kendall FC; Miami, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (7): Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy, Glendora, Calif.), Kelee Cornfield-Saunders (LA Galaxy; San Marcos, Calif.), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Bryan Perez (LA Premier FC; Los Angeles, Calif.), Chandler Vaughn (D.C. United; Woodbridge, Va.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Andrew Carleton (Georgia United; Powder Springs, Ga.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Georgia United; Locust Grove, Ga.), James Sands (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.)
FORWARDS (4): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ont.), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.), Tonny Temple (IMG Academy; Millville, Pa.), Timothy Weah (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.; Rosedale, N.Y.)
The tournament, which will return to Premier Sports Complex and run concurrently with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, features two games on each of three match days. Beginning on Dec. 2, the U.S. faces England, then plays the Netherlands on Dec. 4 and finishes the competition against Brazil on Dec. 6. All of the USA’s games, which are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. ET, will serve as the feature match of the evening, following the opening international match at 3 p.m. ET. All Nike Friendlies matches will be broadcast live on ussoccer.com.
2015 Nike International Friendlies Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Netherlands vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. England, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
Friday, Dec. 4
Brazil vs. England, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Netherlands, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
Sunday, Dec. 6
England vs. Netherlands, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Brazil, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
Fifteen players on the Nike International Friendlies roster took part in the U-15’s run to the Tournament de Nazioni championship in Vipolze, Slovenia this past April and May.
The USA and Brazil have battled for the tournament title each of the past two years, with the U.S. earning a dramatic 4-1 victory over the Brazilians in 2013, but falling a year later in the teams’ final match of the competition.
U.S. Soccer’s Nike Friendlies were established in 2001 to provide top-level competition for the U.S. U-17 MNT and is one of the premier annual events on the youth soccer calendar.
