U.S. U-17 MNT roster set for Nike International Friendlies in Phoenix

U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera has finalized a 22-player roster for the upcoming Nike International Friendlies in Phoenix. The team will arrive in Phoenix Monday afternoon to begin training, leading up to its first game against Portugal on Friday, Dec. 4.

The new cycle of players for the U.S. U-17 MNT will play its first three international games at this level, continuing the weekend with friendly matches against Brazil on Dec. 5, and the Netherlands on Monday, Dec. 7. All three games, held alongside the 2009 Development Academy Winter Showcase, will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel at 7 p.m. MT.

All 22 players were born in 1994, making them age eligible for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Half of the U.S. roster will be representing their country while their hometown clubs are in attendance as part of the Development Academy, with 11 players each representing a participating club.

Roster By Position

GOALKEEPERS (2):  Kendall McIntosh (Mustang Academy; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Fernando Pina (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas)

DEFENDERS (7):   Ive Burnett (Central Jackson; Brandon, Miss.), Andrew Chang (Sockers FC; Highland Park, Ill.), Jerome Cristobal (Derby County Wolves; Sterling Heights, Mich.), Marc Pelosi (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Tarik Salkicic (Strictly Soccer; Pinellas Park, Fla.), Nathan Smith (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.), Andrew Souders (Columbus Crew Academy; Amherst, Ohio)

MIDFIELDERS (8):   Atsou Ayah (Fusion FC Tampa; Tampa, Fla.), Tarek Beckles (BW Gottschee; Brooklyn, N.Y.), Holden Fender (North Atlanta SA; Marietta, Ga.), Irvin Gijon (Players Club; Las Vegas, Nev.), Eric Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy; Corona, Calif.), Nicholas Melo (Florida Rush; Kissimmee, Fla.), Oscar Ortega (Aztecs Premier; San Ysidro, Calif.), Sebastian Velasquez (Arsenal FC; Los Angeles, Calif.)

FORWARDS (5):   Mikhail Doholis (Eastside United; Vancouver, Wash.), Kellen Gulley (MS Chicago Fire Juniors; Clinton, Miss.), Alfred Koroma (Solar Red; Southlake, Texas); Andrew Oliver (Westside United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Mario Rodriguez (Central Aztecs; North Hollywood, Calif.)