Homegrown players Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin to represent USA in U-17 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers; joined by Academy forward Zyen Jones
Atlanta United First Team members Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin have been called up to the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team, U.S. Soccer announced today. Academy forward Zyen Jones was also called up to head coach John Hackworth’s 20-player roster that will compete in the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, running from April 21-May 7 in Panama. The confederation championship doubles as the qualifying tournament for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be played Oct. 6-28 in India.
The USA has been drawn into Group C along with Jamaica, Mexico and El Salvador. The U-17 MNT opens against Jamaica on Sunday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by Mexico on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET and El Salvador on Saturday, April 29 at 11:30 a.m. ET. All three of the USA’s matches will be streamed live on the CONCACAF Facebook page. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter at @ussoccer_ynt.
The roster includes four players who signed Homegrown player contracts with Major League Soccer, with Carleton and Goslin making up half of the list. Chris Durkin (D.C. United) and Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas) are also on the team.
Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Carlos Joaquim Dos Santos (Benfica; Philadelphia, Pa.), Justin Garces (Kendall SC; Miami, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (5): Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), James Sands (New York City FC; Rye, N.Y.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Akil Watts (IMG Academy; Fort Wayne, Ind.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake AZ; Eden, Utah), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Locust Grove, Ga.), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy; Savannah, Ga.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.)
FORWARDS (6): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ont.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Zyen Jones (Atlanta United FC; Clarkston, Ga.), Bryan Reynolds, Jr. (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.) Timothy Weah (Paris Saint-Germain; Rosedale, N.Y.)
Tournament Notes:
Four countries will directly qualify from this tournament for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. The U.S. U-17 MNT is looking to qualify for its 16th trip FIFA U-17 World ‘Cup or World Championship.
The USA finished tied for third at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, after narrowly defeating Jamaica 5-4 in penalty kicks.
This year marks the 17th occasion that the U.S. U-17 MNT will compete in the CONCACAF Youth Tournament or Championship. The USA has won the CONCACAF U-17, formerly U-16, Championship title three times: (1983, 1992, 2011). The USA has also finished runner-up five times: (1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1996).
Qualifying Format Change
The CONCACAF U-17 Championship format has changed for 2017 and now comprises three groups of four teams. Under the new setup, the top two teams in each group will advance to a second-round classification stage, featuring two groups with three teams each. In this second group phase, the top two finishers in each group will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the first-place teams in each group playing for the tournament championship.
