What to Know for Gameweek 8

For the matchup of the week, we're heading to Atlanta to cover the U-15 and U-17 matches featuring Atlanta United against DC United and Atlanta United against New York Red Bulls.

Action Packed Gameweek 8

For the matchup of the week, we're heading to Atlanta to cover the U-15 and U-17 matches featuring Atlanta United against DC United and Atlanta United against New York Red Bulls.

Atlanta United has seen several of its players called up to the most recent USYNT camps, including:

  • James Donaldson (2009)

  • Rocket Ritarita (2007)

  • Dominik Chong-Qui (2007)

  • Kaiden Moore (2007)

  • Adyn Torres (2007)

The Atlanta United U-17 squad comprises players who clinched victory in the most recent U-16 MLS NEXT Cup, featuring standout players like Cooper Sanchez, Rocket Ritarita, and more.

New York Red Bulls, on the other hand, also come off a national championship title, albeit at the U-15 level. They have incorporated some players from that championship-winning squad into the U-17 team, including Adri Mehmeti, the only 2009 player on the team, and homegrown signings Julian Hall and Tanner Rosborough, all of whom could participate in this weekend's match with the MLS NEXT Pro season concluded.

El Traffico

Via Michael Kell @kellpictures

Arguably the biggest rivalry in the United States is happening this weekend in the MLS NEXT. LAFC will host LA Galaxy this Saturday. LAFC boasts arguably the best academy in the United States, consistently producing and promoting players through the ranks. The most notable players in the squad are midfielders Jude Terry, who captained the U-15 USYNT during the U-15 Concacaf Championships where they emerged as champions. Additionally, DeCarlo Guerra was a crucial part of the U-17 LAFC midfield throughout the entire last season.

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The Youngest Player to Participate in a U-17 World Cup

Nimfasha Berchimas has recently received a call-up to the United States National Team for the U-17 FIFA World Cup next month. Nimfasha earned his first call-up to the U-17 US squad back in September, being the youngest player on the team.

As a substitute, he made a strong impression by scoring two goals in just two minutes during a remarkable comeback, helping the team secure a 3-2 victory against Ukraine in the opening match of the Jezek Cup. This outstanding performance made a compelling case for his inclusion in the upcoming World Cup. However, what might have solidified his spot was his achievement of scoring his first professional goal just one week later.

Nimfasha has garnered significant acclaim over the past year. He accomplished several notable feats, such as becoming the 6th youngest signing in MLS history when he signed with Charlotte FC, playing two years ahead of his age group on the US national team, and demonstrating his skills at the professional level at the young age of 15. With his call-up to the World Cup, he has now become the youngest player to represent the United States in a U-17 World Cup since 2003.