2012 id2 National Selection International Tour comes to a close
After a successful 10-day tour highlighted by matches against academy teams from top Spanish clubs such as FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, the 2012 id2 National Selection International Tour came to a close Feb. 27 as the squad returned to the United States.
Just one day after arriving in Spain, the id2 National Selection had its first matches on Feb. 19, playing a combined match against RCD Espanyol and UE Cornellà. In a pair of 40-minute contests, the team earned a split, dropping the first game to UE Cornellà 2-1 before defeating RCD Espanyol 1-0.
On Feb. 21, the team notched an impressive 3-1 victory over FC Barcelona at the club’s official training complex, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Two days later, the team dropped a 2-1 decision to Atlético Madrid at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the governing body of soccer in Spain. The competition portion of the schedule was completed with a scrimmage against C.F. Rayo Majadahonda on Feb. 25.
In addition to the team’s four matches and one scrimmage, the id2 National Selection had the chance to experience professional soccer in Spain. The team attended two La Liga matches, watching Lionel Messi score four goals to lead FC Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Valencia CF at L’Estadi Camp Nou, and seeing FC Barcelona win at Atlético Madrid 2-1 later in the week.
During its 10 days in Spain, the squad visited FC Barcelona’s L’Estadi Camp Nou, Atlético Madrid’s Estadio Vicente Calderon, and Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Away from the soccer field, the players were able to take in the culture of Spain, with extensive opportunities to experience the cities of Barcelona and Madrid.
“This year’s id2 National Selection International Tour was wonderful in that we visited some of the cathedrals of modern soccer in Barcelona and Madrid,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer’s id2 Boys’ Program Director. “Not only are these great soccer destinations, but culturally they are pretty special places to be and I think the players enjoyed both aspects. They played in some games where they were challenged, but these challenges show them what it takes to be a young professional.”
Joining the squad as a member of the traveling party was U.S. Soccer Technical Advisor Juan Carlos Michia. Numerous former members of the id2 National Selection team have earned invitations into U.S. U-14 Boys’ National Team Camps in the months immediately following past tours, including multiple players who made their first appearance at a U.S. Soccer camp.
The id2 National Selection included 18 male players born in 1998 selected from the fall 2011 id2 Regional Training Camps. Consistent with US Club Soccer’s philosophy that identification and development should be free to players, the organization funded the trip in conjunction with the strong support of Nike; there was no cost to the players.
ROSTER:
# Pos. Name Hometown Club
3 D Harry Adanuty Cary, N.C. CASL
17 MF Christian Albelo Clarksville, Tenn. TSV Amicitia Viernheim
11 F Danny Barbir Macungie, Pa. PDA
10 MF George Braima Columbus, Ohio Columbus Crew
15 D Chaz Burnett Glen Ridge, N.J. PDA
14 F Jonathan Navarro San Jose, Calif. PAC Atlas
6 MF Matthew Olosunde Trenton, N.J. New York Red Bulls
5 D A. J. Palazzolo O’Fallon, Mo. St. Louis Scott Gallagher
8 MF Logan Panchot St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis Scott Gallagher
7 MF Christian Pulisic Hershey, Pa. PA Classics
9 F Elijah Rice Highland Park, Ill. Chicago Magic
4 D Juan Riley Weston, Fla. Weston FC
2 D Chad Sahinkaya Colleyville, Texas Dallas Texans
0 GK Kevin Silva Bethlehem, Pa. PDA
16 MF Jack Skahan Memphis, Tenn. Sunrise SC
12 F Raheem Taylor-Parkes Wesley Chapel, Fla. Brandon FC
18 D Suniel Veerakone Caledonia, Mich. Michigan Wolves
1 GK Andrew Verdi Ivyland, Pa. FC Delco
Head of Delegation: Tom Atencio (Portland, Ore.)
Head Coach: Gerry McKeown (Summit, N.J.)
Assistant Coach: Benjamin Ziemer (Sebastopol, Calif.)
GAME SCHEDULE:
• Sun., Feb. 19
id2 National Selection [1] at UE Cornellà [2]
id2 National Selection [1] vs. RCD Espanyol [0]
UE Cornellà Stadium | 8:50 a.m. CET (2:50 a.m. ET)
• Tue., Feb. 21
id2 National Selection [3] at FC Barcelona [1]
Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper | 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET)
• Thu., Feb. 23
id2 National Selection [1] vs. Atlético Madrid [2]
Ciudad del Fútbol | 8 p.m. CET (2 p.m. ET)
• Sat., Feb. 25
id2 National Selection vs. CF Rayo Majadahonda (Scrimmage)
Madrid | 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET)
