US Under-17 national team coach Richie Williams (above) has called in a squad featuring several MLS academy prospects to face Canada in two friendly matches in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., this weekend.
The brief camp will serve as preparation for the U-17s ahead of next month's high-intensity meetings with their counterparts from Brazil, England and Portugal at the Nike International Friendlies and Development Academy Showcase in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Williams' latest roster is composed primarily of current members of the Bradenton Residency Program and includes players from the Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls academy systems.
Abraham Romero and Haji Wright represent the Galaxy, Sean Teixiera and Matthew Olosunde are Red Bulls talents and Weston McKennie and Alejandro Zendejas will fly FCD's colors. Chivas USA's Hugo Arellano and Crew Soccer Academy's George Braima round out the eight players with MLS ties.
Full US U-17 roster for Canada friendlies
GOALKEEPERS (3): William Pulisic (Richmond Strikers; Mechanicsville, Va.), Abraham Romero (LA Galaxy Academy; Altadena, Calif.), Kevin Silva (PDA; Bethlehem, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (11): Hugo Arellano (Chivas USA Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), George Braima (Crew Soccer Academy; Columbus, Ohio), Pierre Da Silva (New York Soccer Club; Port Chester, N.Y.), Nikkye De Point (Revolution Empire; Rochester, N.Y.), Tanner Dieterich (TN Soccer Club; Nashville, Tenn.), Edwin Lara (Unattached; San Laredo, Calif.), Cristian Martinez (NJSA 04; Mine Hill, N.J.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Elijah Rice (Chicago Magic PSG; Highland Park, Ill.), Alexis Velela (San Diego Surf; San Diego)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Ronaldo Escudero (Pateadores; Placentia, Calif.), Kyle Gurrieri (NJSA 04; Totowa, N.J.), Thomas McCabe (PDA; South Orange, N.J.),Weston McKennie (FC Dallas Academy; Little Elm, Teas.), Logan Panchot (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis), Devin Vega (San Antonio Scorpions; San Antonio, Texas), Brian Zelaya (De Anza Force; San Mateo, Calif.), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas Academy; El Paso, Texas)
FORWARDS (7): Kevin Coleman (FC Richmond; Warrenton, Va.), Joe Gallardo (Monterrey FC; San Diego), David Loera (Orlando City Lions; Orlando, Fla.), Jonathan Navarro (De Anza Force; San Jose, Calif.), Christian Pulisic (PA Classics; Hershey, Pa.), Sean Teixiera (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trumbull, Conn.), Haji Wright (LA Galaxy Academy; Los Angeles)
