Thoughts on the US U-17 World Cup Selection

The most notable concerns about this squad are the omission of Charles Renken and Joseph Gyau recent Hoffenheim signings who had trouble at Bradenton. Sebastian Lleget, is also not on the squad. The omission of the West Ham Academy player is a huge blow for Wilmer Cabrera’s side.  

I am very familiar with Zachary Herold and Stefan Jerome from their local exploits in South Florida youth soccer. However, I have no real basis to compare them with the other players on the squad or the opposition. Jack McInerney is a key player for this side and should provide plenty of attacking prowess. The US opens the tournament on Monday versus Spain.  

This tournament will be held in Nigeria, despite several published reports that FIFA wanted to move  the event to Mexico.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Keith Cardona (NY Red Bulls; Glen Rock, N.J.), Earl Edwards (La Jolla Nomads; San Diego, Calif.), Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier; Seattle, Wash.)

DEFENDERS (6): Zachary Herold (West Pines United FC, Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic; Indianapolis, Ind.), Boyd Okwuonu (Celtic Green; Edmond, Okla.), Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy; Lincoln, Neb.), Jared Watts (North Meck Storm; Statesville, N.C.), Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride; Westfield, Ind.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Marlon Duran (Latino Americana; Ducanville, Texas), Luis Gil (Pateadores; Garden Grove, Calif.), Carlos Martinez (Wilmington Jr.; San Pedro, Calif), William Packwood (Birmingham City, Concord, Mass.), Nick Palodichuk (Washington Premier; Battleground, Wash.), Alex Shinsky (Super Nova FC; York, Pa.)

FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (NY Red Bulls; Barnegat, N.J.), Victor Chavez (Real So Cal; Fontana, Calif), Andrew Craven (First Coast Kickers; St. Simons Island, Ga.), Stefan Jerome (West Pines United FC; Davie, Fla.), Jack McInerney (Cobb SC; Alpharetta, Ga.), Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee;
Huntington, N.Y.)