FRISCO, Texas (May 27, 2016) — Of the 23 players selected to the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team AIFF Youth Cup in India finalist roster, 17 have US Youth Soccer ties.
After a 4-0 win over India, the U.S. drew Tanzania and South Korea before defeating Malaysia to advance to the finals. The finals match between the United States and South Korea went to extra time with the teams tied at one, but South Korea ultimately prevailed with a goal off a free kick in the second period of extra time to win the tournament.
Among those with US Youth Soccer ties are the co-leading scorers in the tournament — Williams Sands, a 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships semifinalist with NYSC (NY-E), and Joshua Sargent, who won two US Youth Soccer Missouri State Cup titles with St. Louis Scott Gallagher (MO). Each player found the back of the net twice in the tournament.
Andrew Carleton, who won the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships with United FA 00 Elite (GA), led the squad with two assists, and also scored team’s only goal in the final. Carleton was also awarded the Golden Ball at the 2014 National Championships as the best field player in his age group after scoring six goals in the tournament, which was twice as many as anyone else in the age group. Carleton also helped United FA win the 2013-14 US Youth Soccer National League Red Division.
Twelve of the players have played in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP), including Jean-Julien Foe Nuphaus, Adrian Villegas and Kevin Negrete, who all competed in the US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships. Negrete won the 2014 ODP Region IV Championships with Cal South 2000, and was named to the All-Tournament Team, while Nuphaus was named to the 2013 ODP RIV All-Tournament Team.
Of the 13 players who have experience playing in the US Youth Soccer National Championships Series (NCS), nine have advanced past the group stage in their respective US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, and four have competed in the US Youth Soccer National Championship.
Quantrell Jones and Jake Arteaga have both won a US Youth Soccer National Championship, as Arteaga won with Pateadores LA (CA-S) in 2013, whole Jones won the 2015 US Youth Soccer National Championships with Baltimore Celtic (MD). Both collected individual hardware as well, as Arteaga won the 2013 National Championships Golden Ball award, while Jones was awarded the 2015 National Championships Golden Glove award. Christopher Goslin placed third in the 2013 National Championships with United FA (GA) and was named to the National Championships Best XI team.
More information on US Youth Soccer’s programs can be found on usyouthsoccer.org/programs. You can also receive up-to-date news by signing up for emails or following US Youth Soccer on social media.
Under-17 U.S. AIFF Youth Cup Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces^ (Kendall FC; Miami, Fla.), Quantrell Jones^* (Baltimore Celtic; Baltimore, Md.)
DEFENDERS (8): Jake Arteaga^* (LA Galaxy; Glendora, Calif.), Jean-Julian Foe Nuphaus^* (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey^* (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Tyler Shaver^* (Beachside Soccer Club; Riverside, Conn.), AJ Vasquez^* (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Chandler Vaughn^ (D.C. United; Hood River, Ore.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): George Acosta^* (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri^ (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin* (Georgia United; Locust Grove, Ga.), James Sands* (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Adrian Villegas^ (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.)
FORWARDS (6): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ontario), Andrew Carleton^* (Georgia United; Powder Springs, Ga.), Niccolo Lemoine (De Anza Force; Livermore, Calif.), Kevin Negrete^* (LA Galaxy; Hawthorne, Calif.), Will Sands* (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Joshua Sargent* (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallen, Mo.)
^ = US Youth Soccer ODP
* = US Youth Soccer NCS