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Carleton, Weah headline U.S. U-17 roster for 2016 Torneo de Naciones

Photo by Chris Nicoll/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Chris Nicoll/USA TODAY Sports

Head coach John Hackworth has unveiled his U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team roster for the upcoming Torneo de Naciones, which features 11 MLS players.

The 20-man squad features four players from Atlanta United, including highly touted forward Andrew Carleton. PSG product Timothy Weah, the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, is also on the roster.

The tournament is set to be held in in Mexico City, Mexico. The U.S. will open play against Portugal on Aug. 25 before facing Qatar on the 26th and hosts Mexico on the 28th.

Here is a closer look at the roster:

Goalkeepers: Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces (Kendall FC; Miami, Fla.)

Defenders: Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy; Glendora, Calif.), Carlos Asensio (Atlanta United; Roswell, Ga.), Kelee Cornfield-Saunders (LA Galaxy; San Marcos, Calif.), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.)

Midfielders: George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Atlanta United; Locust Grove, Ga.), James Sands (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.), Akil Watts (IMG Academy; Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Forwards: Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ontario), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United; Powder Springs, Ga.), Zyen Jones (Atlanta United; Clarkston, Ga.), Joshua Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.), Timothy Weah (Paris Saint-Germain; Rosedale, N.Y.)

What do you think of the U.S. squad? Who are you most excited to see?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Wasn’t there another son of Weah (or was it this son) who played for AC Milan’s youth teams or Metrostars ? What happened?

    Reply
    • George Weah, former world footballer of the year 1995, the only African to win the award, trialed with Metrostars in 2001, but they couldn’t come to an agreement on the contract and he retired after playing in the UAE.

      Reply
    • Yeah, , George Weah Jr. However, he never made much of an impact. He was in the AC Milan youth system. I think he is out of soccer or playing for one of the smaller Eastern European leagues. Tim Weah is in the PSG youth system (and is hopefully better).

      However, it just seems weird to me that George Weah’s son is potentially playing for the US. It does not seem right to me. As someone who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and remember the impact of George Weah, and how great…TRULY great he was including being the first (and only) African footballer to be named Footballer or the Year/Golden Boot. The same guy Thierry Henry calls “Sir George”. It almost seems sacrilegious….

      Reply
      • George Weah moved his family to the US because he did not want them growing up in a war torn country. His son was born here, raised here, and learned to play here. If he identifies as American, he should play for the US. No one should pressure his decision, least of all fans who want to hold him up to his father’s legacy.

        He will have the same choice as Zelalem did. Go with parentage or familiarity, choose trying to qualify for a WC vs trying to win one. He will not play for Liberia unless the US tells him he isn’t up to the level.

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