US U-17s to take on Brazil in friendly tournament

The United States U-17 team will measure up against Brazil, Korea Republic and Turkey at the Nike International Friendlies in Phoenix from Dec. 1-5.


The three matches will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Channel.


Wilmer Cabrera's side, which will consist of 21 to 23 members of the 40-student class training in Bradenton, Fla., will battle the Asian nation first, tackle the Samba Boys two days later and finish up the six-game tournament against Turkey on Dec. 5.


For the first time in tournament history, a winner will be crowned after the six-match round-robin.


Additionally, all 78 Academy teams will also be in Phoenix for the 2010 Development Academy Winter Showcase. Each club will play three matches between Dec. 3-7.


Twenty members of the U-17 team are currently on a training trip through England. Strikers Mario Rodriguez and Andrew Oliver tallied against Manchester City's youth side on Tuesday and the squad will play Blackburn and Scotland's U-17 on Saturday and Wednesday, respectively.


The team is preparing for the 2011 CONCACAF championship, held in Jamaica from February 12-28. The top four squads automatically qualify for the U-17 World Cup.


Roster in England:
Goalkeepers

Kendall McIntosh - Mustang Academy


Fernando Pina - Houston Dynamo


Defenders

Kellyn Acosta - FC Dallas


Mobi Fehr - Tokyo Verdy 1969


Alessandro Mion - Kendall SC


Nathan Smith - Cal Odyssey


Andrew Souders - Crew Soccer Academy


Danny Zaid - Camp Elite Guatemala


Midfielders

Joe Amon - South Carolina United FC


Alejandro Guido - Aztecs Premier


Nico Melo - Florida Rush


Marc Pelosi - De Anza Force


Esteban Rodriguez - Cosmos Academy West


Tarik Salkicic - Strictly Soccer


Dillon Serna - Colorado Rapids


Forwards

Daniel Flores - Cal Odyssey


Kellen Gulley - MS Chicago Fire Juniors


Alex Muyl - Cosmos Academy East


Andrew Oliver - Westside United


Mario Rodriguez - Central Aztecs


Noah Davis covers the United States national team for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @noahedavis.
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