Two NYCFC youngsters have been called up to the U.S U16 Boys’ National Team.
Head coach Shaun Tsakiris has selected Nico Benalcazar and Justin Haak for the IMG Cup: Boys Invitational which will take place Dec.17 – Dec.19.
The tournament will coincide with a domestic training camp in Bradenton, Florida.
Ahead of the competition, the U.S will take on Clearwater Chargers U17/18 before they take on Next Gen USA Showcase Select, FC Florida Prep Academy and Miramar United Elite FC in a round-robin style tournament format.
“As a staff, we are giving these players another opportunity to be recognized and seen,” Tsakiris said.
“Whether you are a 2001 or not, anytime you get together as a National Team, it is a great chance for you to display your talent and prove to us as a staff that you deserve to be here.
“In terms of objectives, we want to continue to monitor and recognize young players and continue to push them and get them on the path for our older National Teams.
“This tournament and week gives another opportunity for those players to do that.”
Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen (Weston FC; Southwest Ranches, Fla.), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake AZ; Casa Grande, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (6): Julian Araujo (Santa Barbara Soccer Club; Lompoc, Calif.), George Bello (Atlanta United FC; Douglasville, Ga.), Nico Benalcazar (NYCFC; Wilton, Conn.), Edward Berumen (Sacramento Republic FC; Salida, Calif.), John Hilton (LA Galaxy; Long Beach, Calif.), Leonardo Sepulveda (LA Galaxy; Corona, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Sebastian Berhalter (Crew SC Academy; Westerville, Ohio), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake AZ; Eden, Utah), Oscar Cervantes (LA Premier FC; Indio, Calif.), Justin Haak (NYCFC, Brooklyn, N.Y.), Nelson Martinez (DC United; Woodbridge, Va.), Jonathan Munoz (SportingKansas City; Olathe, Kan.), Marcelo Palomino (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy; Savannah, Ga.)
FORWARDS (7): Everson Amaya (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Azriel Gonzalez (Seattle Sounders FC; Renton, Wash.), Cameron Harper (Pateadores; Newport Beach, Calif.), Ben Ortiz (La Roca; Orem, Utah), Axel Picazo (Philadelphia Union; Round Rock, Texas), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas), Gabe Segal (Bethesda SC; Bethesda, Md.)
