ClapMinnesota’s Mukwelle Akale, who is part of the 31 player U.S. U-17 residency program, has been selected as one of only two 15-year-olds on the 20-player roster that will take part in the AGS Cup in Spain. Head coach Richie Williams named the 20-players in preparation for the upcoming trip to Alicante, Spain from Sept. 29-Oct. 6 to compete in the 2012 AGS Cup.
The U.S., which finished in second place at the 2011 AGS Cup, was placed into Group B of the tournament along with the United Arab Emirates, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Group A features the USA’s CONCACAF rivals Mexico and Canada paired with Morocco and Russia.
Tournament play begins on Sept. 29 as the U.S. squares off against Azerbaijan at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET). The U.S. faces Georgia on Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) and ends group play on Oct. 1 against the United Arab Emirates at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
Depending on the team’s results in group play, the U.S. will contest a playoff match against a team from Group A on either Oct. 3 or 4 before finishing the tournament with a placement match on Oct. 6.
Full Roster
U.S. U-17 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jeff Caldwell (NC Fusion; Todd, N.C.), Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders FC; Woodinville, Wash.)
DEFENDERS (7): Bryce Cregan (PA Classics; Dallastown,
Pa.), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin
(Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Jorge Miranda (LA Galaxy; Van Nuys,
Calif.), Shaquell Moore (Unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), John Requejo
Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Tyler Turner (South Central
Premier; West Haven, Conn.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Mukwelle Akale (Minnesota Thunder;
Minneapolis, Minn.), Junior Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park,
Va.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.),
Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J.), Rolando Muñoz
(LA Galaxy; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Ben Swanson (Crew Soccer Academy;
Grove City, Ohio)
FORWARDS (5): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido,
Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Portland Timbers; Beaverton, Ore.), Ahinga
Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Wesley Wade (New York Red
Bulls; South Orange, N.J.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea FC; Garland, Texas)
