Two locals to compete with U.S. U-17 Men's National Team in 2011 Nike International Friendlies

U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera has named the 20-player roster that will represent the U.S. at the 2011 Nike International Friendlies in Sarasota, Fla.

The U.S. kicks off the tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 30, against France before facing Turkey on Friday, Dec. 2, and wrapping up against Brazil on Sunday, Dec. 4. All three U.S. matches kick off at 5 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FOX Soccer. Fans can also follow the action as it happens via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Cabrera’s squad is made up entirely of players born in 1996, with 16 of them hailing from Development Academy clubs. Of the 20 players, 17 of them traveled to Europe in October for the 2011 AGS Cup in Spain and the Val-de-Marne Tournament in France. Wesley Wade led the team with three goals during the European trip, while Conor Donovan and Herber Mejia Flores were the only two players to start all six of the team’s international matches.

New York Red Bulls provides the most players from one club, with five, while Concorde Fire sends two in DeAndre Robinson and Dembakwi Yomba. Yomba, along with Adonis Amaya and Jorge Caliz are looking for their first international U-17 caps after missing out on the earlier tournaments.

This will mark the ninth Nike International Friendlies since 2003, when it was previously known as the Nike National Team Friendlies. The U.S. has participated all nine years, while Brazil will compete in the series for the seventh time. This will be the second consecutive Nike International Friendlies competition for Turkey, which was crowned champion last year in the first time the event was played as a tournament.

The competition will be played during the 2011 Winter Showcase, where all 78 Development Academy clubs will play 234 non-conference games from Dec. 2-6.

2011 U.S. U-17 MNT Nike International Friendlies Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders; Woodinville, Wash.), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls; South River, N.J.)
DEFENDERS (6): Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA; Westminster, Calif.), Connor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC; Powder Springs Ga.) Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), John Requejo Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Jorge Calix (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Steven Echevarria (New York Red Bulls; Slate Hill, N.Y.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Guyllain Kabala (New England Revolution; Manchester, N.H.), Danya Kafai (Juventus Sports Club; Redwood City, Calif.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J), Herber Mejia-Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.)
FORWARDS (4): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), DeAndre Robinson (Concorde Fire; Atlanta, Ga.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls; South Orange, N.J.), Dembakwi Yomba (Concorde Fire Academy; Lithonia, Ga.)