The United States Under-16 youth national team will gather for a camp in Argentina where they will play friendlies against Uruguay on May 27 and Argentina on May 30 at the AFA training center in Buenos Aires.

The team will be led by Gonzalo Segares, who will be again the coach for the next U17 team once the transition is made in July. It should be noted that this group of players, born in 2008 and some in 2009, are preparing for the Concacaf U17 Championship in 2025 and later for the World Cup U17 to be held in Qatar.

It is important to mention that this is one of the most talented groups the United States has produced, although some players have not been released by their teams, while others are injured. Such is the case for young stars like midfielder Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall, who have not been released by their teams. Forward Nimfasha Berchimas appears to have graduated from this age group, and recently U20 national youth team coach Michael Nsien mentioned that he is on the radar to be part of his team, rather than the U17’s. Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes has been invited but has not been released by the New York Red Bulls either. Some players like Jude Terry and Sebasthian Chavez will miss the camp due to injuries.

This team will feature the participation of Mathis Albert, a forward born in 2009 and highly rated by USSF, who has been promoted to the U16 team in search of greater depth on the wing. It will also feature the participation of Maximo Carrizo and Jack Mize as offensive midfielders.

This team includes 10 players who helped the U.S. win their first Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship last summer: Chase Adams, Pedro Guimaraes, Ramiz Hamouda, Jamir Johnson, Omar Marquez, Luca Moisa, Owen Pratt, Tanner Rosborough, Adrian Sanders, and Gio Villa.

As far as friendly matches go, the United States will play against two great powers at the youth level. The trio of friendlies was also the first participation of the previous United States U17 cycle for players born in 2006 in 2022. On that occasion, the team fell in the first game 2-1 against Argentina and in the second friendly, they beat Uruguay 2-1.

Learn To Play the Chelsea Way

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MLS NEXT: Zidane Yañez Scores the Winning Goal for NYCFC in Victory Over NYRB & Weekend Preview

The New York derby captured the attention of youth soccer in the United States this week. In the U17 age group, New York City FC achieved an agonizing 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls. The game was very close, and both teams created opportunities to achieve victory. In the 76th minute, center forward Zidane Yañez took a penalty kick and brilliantly managed to score the only goal of the game. This victory was of utmost importance for NYCFC in their quest to enter the playoffs next June.

In the U15 age group, New York Red Bulls achieved a 2-0 victory over New York City FC. Both teams have already qualified for the playoffs, and the Red Bulls managed to win the game.

This weekend will be key for some teams, and in some divisions, it will be the last day of play on the road to the playoffs.

CF Montreal will face New England Revolution next Sunday. This game will be critical for the U15s, where both teams are in a head-to-head battle for a place in the playoffs. The difference between both teams is only 3 points, and this game could be key in deciding who will go to Tennessee next month.

Among the key games for this weekend is the matchup between Queen City Mutiny and Southern Soccer Academy U15. Both teams are looking to advance first in the Southeast Division, and in that area, Southern Soccer Academy is only 1 point above Queen City Mutiny, increasing the tension in the game.

Other high profile games to watch out for will be the duels between Chicago Fire and Minnesota United, Vancouver Whitecaps against Los Angeles FC, New York City FC against Orlando City, and Sporting Kansas City against Houston Dynamo.

Youngs Dual Nationals Prospects Help Guatemala Win the UNCAF U16 Championship

Yesterday, Guatemala won the UNCAF U16 Championship in a penalty shootout victory after drawing 2-2 in regulation time against Honduras. The Guatemalan team included among its starters Matthew Quic, a central defender from LAFC; Fernando España, a central defender born in 2009 from NYCFC; and Robert Mejia, an LA Galaxy forward born in 2008 who was previously part of youth national teams from the USA and El Salvador.

On the Honduran team, FC Dallas goalkeeper Eliezer Fuentes began as a starter, and in the second half, Deijan Garcia, a forward who plays for Sockers FC and who had been part of the Puerto Rico team in the last Concacaf U15 Championship, came on. Among other notable players in the championship are Columbus Crew forward Dacian Delgado, who was a crucial player for Puerto Rico along with his teammate, Austin FC goalkeeper Nico Aristizabal. Both players had an outstanding tournament.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Rafael Inojosa was another of the most important players in the tournament for El Salvador. The player, born in 2008, played all 4 games and managed to score a goal in the tournament.