U.S. Under-17 Men’s Team Sets Up Camp in Brazil
The United States Under-17 Men’s National Team will gather in Natal, Brazil, for a ten-day training camp that runs from June 1 through June 11. Head coach Alex Aldaz has called up a 20-player squad that reflects the country’s “U.S. Way” philosophy, a development model that emphasizes technical growth and readiness for upcoming international tournaments.
During the camp the youngsters will test themselves against Brazil’s senior side in two friendlies scheduled for June 7 and June 10 at the Arena das Dunas, the stadium that famously hosted the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2‑1 victory over Ghana in the 2014 World Cup.
Friendlies Against Brazil
The matches mark a rare opportunity for the U.S. prospects to experience the atmosphere of a World Cup venue while facing a Brazil team that will field a mix of youthful and senior talent. The venue’s historic significance adds an extra layer of motivation for the American players.
A Blend of MLS and European Talent
The roster is a blend of domestic and overseas talent. Ten Major League Soccer clubs are represented, including Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, Red Bull New York, Atlanta United, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes. In addition, six European clubs — AC Milan, Atlético Madrid, Augsburg, Brentford, Girona and PSV Eindhoven — contribute players, underscoring the growing pipeline that the U.S. program has cultivated.
All participants were born on or after January 1, 2009, ensuring a true under‑17 cohort. Goalkeepers Philipp Eckle and Tobias Szewczyk headline a defensive line that also features Edward Chadwick, Gianmarco Di Noto, Mattias Fernandez, Prince Forfor, Astin Mbaye and Liam Vejrostek. Midfielders such as Jai Bansoodeb, Deven Cadigan, Vicente Garcia, Peter Molinari, Kaedren Spivey and Ignacio Suarez‑Couri will look to control the tempo, while forwards Kashan Hines, Darris Hyte, Malik Jakupovic, William Ostrander, Robert Turdean and Edward Wumah provide attacking options.
Coach Aldaz emphasized that the camp is more than a warm‑up; it is a stepping stone toward future competitions where the United States hopes to translate this developmental approach into deeper runs on the world stage.