The U.S. senior men's national team is coming off what Jurgen Klinsmann called a five-game tournament, with three friendlies and two World Cup qualifiers in a rather brief time testing the durability of his squad. The U.S. U-17s are about to embark on a whirlwind, five-match adventure of their own.
The U-17s, led by new coach Richie Williams, will play five games in five days in Estadio Saprissa in Costa Rica at the Copa Saprissa Internacional starting with a match against Costa Rican club Linafa's U-17 side on Saturday. The following days include matches against the Honduras U-17s, Costa Rica's U-17s and another Costa Rican club (Chorillo FC) before concluding against Mexico's U-17 side, one that captured the FIFA U-17 World Cup during the previous cycle but fell to the United States during last month's Mondial Minimes Tournament in France. Depending on results, two playoff matches could be in the offing as well.
Williams' roster includes playmaker Junior Flores, midfielder Rubio Rubin, defender Tyler Turner and forward Wesley Wade, the standouts from this past winter's Nike International Friendlies tournament, during which the United States won the title by defeating Brazil. Wade is one of four New York Red Bulls academy players on the roster, the most any one team contributed. Here is the full 24-man roster for the upcoming matches:
U.S. U-17 ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders Academy; Woodinville, Wash.), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls Academy; South River, N.J.)
DEFENDERS: Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA Academy; Westminster, Calif.), Jordan Cano (FC Dallas Academy; Richardson, Texas), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Jorge Miranda (Real So Cal; Van Nuys, Calif.), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls Academy; Morganville, N.J.), John Requejo, Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Gonzalo Rolon (Central California Blues; Bakersfield, Calif.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.)
MIDFIELDERS: Junior Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes Academy; San Jose, Calif.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls Academy; Ridgefield, N.J.), Cameron Lindley (Indiana United Academy; Carmel, Ind.), Aaron Meyer (FC Dallas Academy; Carrollton, Tex.), Rolando Muñoz (LA Galaxy Academy; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea SC; Garland, Texas)
FORWARDS: Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Bradford Jamieson (Chivas USA Academy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls Academy; South Orange, N.J.