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Three European-based players included in U.S. U-18 squad for international tournament in France

Rubio Rubin

 Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Following a week-long training camp in California under the watchful eye of U.S. Under-18 National Team head coach Javier Perez and his staff, 18 players have earned places in the U.S. squad for an international tournament in France.

Among those selected include three players who currently ply their trade abroad. Midfielder Kyle Scott is in the Chelsea FC academy, Emerson Hyndman stars for the Fulham FC academy nearby, and Rubio Rubin is in his first year in the FC Utrecht setup in Holland. In addition to the foreign-based players, four players come from Major League Soccer academies, with Erik Palmer-Brown of Sporting Kansas City the only professional of the group.

The competition, which takes place from October 6-14 in Limoges, France, sees the USA playing the U-18 teams of France, Poland, and the Czech Republic. 12 players on the roster were born in 1996, while six were born in 1997. The squad departs for France on October 6.

Here’s the U.S. Under-18 MNT roster for the international tournament in France:

U.S. UNDER-18 ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS: Jeff Caldwell (NC Fusion; Todd, N.C.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.)

DEFENDERS: Conor Donovan (Capital Area Railhawks Academy; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Chase Gasper (Bethesda Olney; Alexandria, Va.), Shaquell Moore (IMG Academy; Powder Springs, Ga.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting KC; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Chicago Magic; Oviedo, Fla.)

MIDFIELDERS: Mukwelle Akale (Minnesota Thunder; Minneapolis, Minn.), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake AZ; Escondido, Calif.), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham FC; Plano, Texas), Kyle Scott (Chelsea FC; Winterbourne, Bristol), Ben Swanson (Crew Soccer Academy; Grove City, Ohio), Tyler Turner (IMG Academy; Meriden, Conn.)

FORWARDS: Andrija Novakovich (Chicago Magic PSG; Muskego, Wis.), Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht; Beaverton, Ore.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea SC; Garland, Texas), Dembakwi Yomba (Concorde Fire; Lithona, Ga.)

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What do you think of this squad? Happy to see Rubin and Hyndman included in the side? Do you see anyone having a breakout performance from this group?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “12 players on the roster were born in 1996, while six were born in 1997. ”

    That just makes me feel so old, and I’m only 30.

    Reply
      • I think you misunderstood the question. It wasn’t whether Flores is with DOrtmund, but why he’s not with this squad.

        The answer, officially at least, is that there was going to be some conflict with a training opportunity he has set up with Dortmund. You are correct that he can’t join them until he’s 18, but he has been participating in some training gigs.

        Honestly, I’m a little concerned because he hasn’t ruled out playing for El Salvador.

      • If you are concerned Junior Flores is going to play for El Salvador over the United States, you are a complete fool. He’s been training with Dortmund’s youth team. He can’t play for them until he turns 18 but he can certainly train with them for free. Which is what he’s been doing and I suspect he wanted to continue his training at this new club situation and not interrupt that for some youth international friendlies, which is a reasonable decision.

  2. Pretty good looking U-18 squad. I have heard that Kyle Scott kid is supposed to be a gem of a player. He is a dual player with the US and England, but from what I hear he has a preference for the US.

    Reply
    • My Spanish isn’t so good, but from recent articles, it sounds like Kyle Scott is a top player for Chelsea and Madrid and Barcelona are fighting over him. I like the sound of that!

      Reply
  3. I hope we can get streams of games. I’ve been dying to get a look at Hyndman. That is a very strong midfield, with Scott, Baird, Hyndman and Turner.

    Reply

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