Breaking Ground: Berchimas Takes the Field in Debut with Charlotte FC

On Saturday night, the promising talent of Charlotte FC’s Nimfasha Berchimas, made his MLS debut in the 1-0 victory over New York City FC at just 16 years and three days old. Born in 2008, Berchimas entered the match in the 84th minute, replacing the Colombian Kerwin Vargas, and thus became the ninth youngest player to debut in Major League Soccer.

Berchimas had previously signed his first professional contract on November 17, 2022, at the age of 14, making him the sixth youngest player to sign a professional contract in the MLS. Subsequently, on November 23, 2022, Berchimas joined the US national team U-16 and scored a goal against Spain. He had earlier participated in the Delle Nazioni U-15 tournament in Italy with the United States National Team U-15, where he was the only player born in 2008 among older teammates born in 2007. His international experience extended to matches against Slovenia, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal. With the United States U-16 team, he played 5 games and scored 1 goal.

His commendable performances with the U-15 and U-16 national teams earned him a call-up to the U-17 national team, where he played alongside players two years older. Berchimas made an impactful debut with the United States National Team U-17 against Ukraine, scoring 2 goals within just 15 minutes, contributing to a 3-2 victory for the United States. Following this, he started as a starter against Switzerland and gained further playing time against the Czech Republic. A month later, Berchimas was once again called up to the U-17 national team, this time for friendlies in Brazil as preparation for the World Cup. He showcased impressive performances in both games, earning praise from coach Gonzalo Segares.

In November, Berchimas was named to the final squad for the U-17 World Cup held in Indonesia. As the only player born in 2008 on the team, he became the second youngest player to represent the United States at the World Cup since 2003, following in the footsteps of Freddy Adu, who played for the U-17 United States team in the 2003 World Cup in Finland. Berchimas' standout performance in the World Cup included 4 games and 3 goals, with two goals scored in the opening match against South Korea, where he also earned the Man of the Match award, and another goal in the subsequent match against Burkina Faso.

DeCarlo Guerra Shines Bright as he Represents Guatemala U-20 Team

Decarlo Guerra, a promising prospect from Los Angeles FC 2, is currently part of the Guatemala U-20 National Team competing in the qualifiers for the Concacaf U-20 championship hosted in Guatemala. Guerra featured as a starter in the team's first match against Barbados, contributing to a 3-1 victory for the Guatemalan side. The qualifying group also includes Saint Martin, Aruba, Curacao, and Barbados.

Guerra's journey in international football saw him represent the United States U-15 National Team in matches against Spain, England, and Japan, where he notably served as the team captain. Additionally, he participated in a domestic camp with the United States National Team U-16 in Chula Vista. Guerra was also previously called up to the Guatemala U-17 National Team for friendlies held in Honduras, where he competed in two matches.

His recent debut with the Guatemala U-20 team marks a significant milestone, as he competes alongside players three years his senior. In 2023, Guerra signed a professional contract with Los Angeles FC 2 in the MLS Next Pro league, making his professional debut and playing nine minutes in a match against Sporting Kansas City II.

Pedro Guimaraes Trials with Brazilian Giants Flamengo

Highly regarded left-back Pedro Guimaraes recently participated in a training session with Flamengo's youth teams. The young talent, born in 2008, and a member of the Los Angeles FC Academy, impressed during his time with the Brazilian club. Expectations are high for Guimaraes, who is anticipated to have a productive year ahead. In 2023, Guimaraes represented the United States U-15 National Team, contributing to their triumph in the Concacaf U-15 championship by playing in all six matches and playing a crucial role on the left side. This season, he alternated between the U-16 and U-17 teams at Los Angeles FC, with anticipation for a significant developmental year.

Weekend Thrills: Unveiling the Major Results from the MLS NEXT Action

Following his return from Brazil, Pedro Guimarães contributed a goal in a 4-1 match against the Seattle Sounders. Snyder Brunell initiated the scoring with a goal at the 18th minute, setting the stage for Jordan Dierks to shine with a hat trick, two of which were executed from penalty kicks. Guimarães sealed the match with a header in the 90th minute.

The Los Angeles FC U-15 team battled to a 2-2 draw against the Seattle Sounders. Callum Lyons opened the scoring at the 4th minute, followed by Taiki Sugitani's goal in the 55th minute. However, the Los Angeles FC side showcased resilience as Ademar Chavez narrowed the lead to 2-1 in the 69th minute, and Andrew Sorto equalized at 2-2 in the 78th minute.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Union U-17 team enjoyed a successful weekend, beginning with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami. Center forward Anisse Saidi netted a brace, while Mateo Saja notched the solitary goal for the Florida-based team. However, the game concluded on a sour note for Inter Miami as Daniel Pinter received a red card for two yellow card offenses.

The Philadelphia Union U-17 team continued their winning streak with a 4-1 triumph over Orlando City. Diego Rocio's hat trick highlighted the victory, with Kellan LeBlanc adding the fourth goal for Philadelphia Union. Gustavo Caraballo, making his return from injury, salvaged a goal for Orlando City.

The Rising Stars: United States U-15 National Team Players Score Debut Goals

In the past week, the ongoing preparation of reserve teams has yielded promising results, particularly with the emergence of some of the brightest prospects. Mathis Albert marked a significant milestone by netting his inaugural goal for LA Galaxy II in a friendly match. Meanwhile, forward Mattheo Dimareli showcased his talent by contributing to Houston Dynamo 2's victory over North Texas with a well-taken goal. Notably, both players honed their skills as integral members of the United States U-15 national team during a recent series of friendlies in Portugal.

Furthermore, in the match between Houston Dynamo 2 and North Texas, another promising talent, Matthew Gardner, born in 2009, was given valuable playing time for Houston Dynamo, further underscoring the depth of emerging talent within the ranks.