Boys id2 National Selection Team finishes 2024 International Tour with unbeaten record

PORTO, Portugal – In the fourth and final game of US Club Soccer’s 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour, the id2 boys team defeated Lomarense Ginásio Clube’s U-14 academy team, 5-0.

The delegation finished its Portuguese journey with three wins, one tie and a 14-3 scoring advantage. Lomarense GC is an affiliate of Sporting CP.

The id2 National Selection boys team again played three 25-minute periods, and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first period with goals from Valentino Menjivar (8th minute; Florida Kraze Krush); Riyad Elaissami (15th; Sporting Columbus) and Jax Padgett (17th; Association Football Club). A scoreless second period followed, and then Arul Kulkarni (59th) and Hector Sanchez (60th) added goals in the final period for extra security.

The 2024 id2 National Selection boys team faced four worthy challengers in Portugal, splitting its time between Lisbon and Porto:

• April 14 vs. Real Sport Clube (RECAP)
• April 17 vs. Sporting CP (RECAP)
• April 18 vs. FC Porto (RECAP)
• April 19 vs. Lamarense GC

Our grand finale. We leave Portugal with three wins and a tie and 14-3 goal advantage. A round of 👏 for our boys, who represented id2, their clubs, their families and their country with class and passion. 🇵🇹 #id2soccer pic.twitter.com/lkgxhq1VTw

— US Club Soccer (@USClubSoccer) April 19, 2024

The matches took the teams to several sites in Portugal, which speaks to the value of cultural immersion on this trip. These clubs offer unique training styles and developmental experiences that the id2 National Selection teams saw first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation also attended professional games and toured stadiums in Lisbon and Porto.

The 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour (boys) officially began April 10 with a two-day domestic camp in New Jersey before traveling to Lisbon for the first half of the Portugal stay and then Porto for the remainder. The tour, which concludes April 21, represents the final progression of the current id2 age group cycle targeting players born in 2010.

The id2 National Selection girls squad recently completed its tour of Spain, in which it faced a quartet of opponents in Barcelona and Madrid. For results of the girls trip, please visit the 2024 id2 International Tours web page and browse Instagram for video and photo content.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. For the international tour, all travel costs are also covered by US Club Soccer. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.