Young Stars Shine: Weekend Prep in Full Swing

As anticipation builds and excitement fills the air, we take a look at the talented stars ahead of the weekend in professional and national team participation.

Exclusive: Announcement of the Roster for the Upcoming US U-15 Camp

The eagerly awaited roster for the upcoming U-15 camp has been officially unveiled. The United States U-15 national team is poised to convene at a domestic camp in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled from April 12th to 17th, in preparation for the forthcoming Vlatko Marković youth tournament in Croatia, slated for May.

Distinguished by its composition, the camp will showcase a contingent comprising 5 players from the New York Red Bulls, 4 from the Columbus Crew, 3 from the Chicago Fire, 2 each from Atlanta United, Inter Miami, and the San Jose Earthquakes. Notably, midfielder Xander Newstead, hailing from the esteemed Ajax academy, will make his inaugural appearance with the team.

Furthermore, the roster introduces several fresh talents, including goalkeeper Keller Abbott, full-backs Prince Forfor and Nash Dearmin, central defenders Hugo Berg and Gianmarco Di Noto, forwards Ivory Covington, Darris Hyte, and Immanuel Ewing, alongside center forward Zidane Cadet, all of whom will be representing the United States U-15 national team for the first time.

Vlatko Marković Tournament

Croatia is set to host their 6th edition of the Vlatko Markovic Tournament with 8 different nations; Portugal, Belgium, France, England, United States, Morocco, Japan, and Croatia.

The teams are split into two groups:

Group A:

  • England

  • Morocco

  • United States

  • Croatia

Group B:

  • Belgium

  • Japan

  • Portugal

  • France

The tournament will take place from May 15th through the 19th in Croatia, following the MLS NEXT Flex qualifiers.

Omar Gonzalez - FC Dallas Defender Uses Athlete Narrative To Tell His Story

Omar Gonzalez, the seasoned professional for FC Dallas, has recently taken a significant step off the field by becoming a brand ambassador for Athlete Narrative, a platform dedicated to enhancing athlete branding and communication. Gonzalez has been using the app platform to share personal stories and insights, connecting more deeply with fans and aspiring athletes. By partnering with Athlete Narrative, he aims to leverage his experience and personal journey in professional soccer to inspire and mentor others while also enhancing his visibility and engagement across various media. Gonzalez is at the forefront of a movement that empowers athletes to take control of their narratives and build lasting legacies beyond the playing field, making him a pivotal figure in transforming how athletes interact with their audiences.

Right now athletes looking to get noticed, get fans, and get sponsored can use the code OMAR to get the $99 monthly pro package for the rookie price of just $29 a month for a limited time. 

MLS NEXT Pro: Highlights of Young Players Performance this Weekend

@crownlegacyfc - Instagram

The fifth matchday of MLS Next Pro commenced last Wednesday, showcasing promising talent across various encounters. In the FC Cincinnati 2 versus New England Revolution II match, midfielders Stiven Jimenez and Cristiano Oliveira notably demonstrated their prowess, leaving a lasting impression.

Additionally, Nimfasha Berchimas showcased his skills, starting for Crown Legacy and contributing a solid 45 minutes of play. In the intense New York derby, Julian Hall displayed his capabilities by playing the full 90 minutes for the New York Red Bulls, while Tanner Rosborough made an impact upon entering the field in the 80th minute.

Furthermore, Andrew Baiera, Maximo Carrizo, and Jonathan Shore demonstrated their potential by starting for New York City FC II, with midfielder Jacob Arroyave and center forward Adam Basse making notable appearances in the second half.

@bkoodsphotos - Instagram

Looking ahead, the excitement continues this weekend with anticipated matchups including New York Red Bulls II versus Chicago Fire 2, New York City FC II versus New England Revolution II, Real Monarchs versus The Town FC, Los Angeles FC 2 versus Ventura County FC, and Atlanta United 2 versus Philadelphia Union II.

These fixtures offer opportunities for numerous young talents to further their development and edge closer to first-team opportunities.