US Under-17 national team coach Richie Williams has named seven players from MLS clubs and academies to the 20-man roster set to compete in the 2015 U-17 International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in Pardubice, Czech Republic, this week.
Five of the seven are youth academy players: Defenders Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy Academy), Tanner Dieterich (Real Salt Lake Academy), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy) and Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union Academy) and striker Pierre da Silva (Orlando City Academy), while midfielders Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls II) and Alex Zendejas (FC Dallas, pictured above) have already transitioned to the professional level.
The Vaclav Jezek tournament runs from Aug. 14-22, and the US squad begins play on Tuesday with a match against Russia. Williams' side will play Slovenia on Wednesday and will conclude group play on Friday against Slovakia. The opponent for a final placement game, which will be played on Saturday, will be determined following the conclusion of group play.
The US fielded a U-18 team in this event last year and won, defeating Ukraine 1-0 in the final.
This trip is part of the U-17s' preparations for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where the young Yanks have been grouped with Nigeria, Croatia and Chile and kick off group play on Oct. 17.
Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): William Pulisic (Richmond United; Mechanicsville, Va.), Kevin Silva (Players Development Academy; Bethlehem, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (7): Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Tanner Dieterich (Real Salt Lake Academy; Nashville, Tenn.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union Academy; Media, Pa.), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls II; Wappinger Falls, N.Y.), Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Luca de la Torre (Fulham; San Diego, Calif.), Thomas McCabe (Players Development Academy; South Orange, N.J.), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund; Hershey, Pa.), Alex Zendejas (FC Dallas; El Paso, Texas)
FORWARDS (5): Pierre da Silva (Orlando City Academy; Port Chester, N.Y.), Joe Gallardo (Monterrey; San Diego, Calif.), Josh Perez (unattached; La Habra, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Haji Wright (New York Cosmos; Los Angeles, Calif.)
