US Under-18 coach Javier Perez on Monday named his roster for this summer's prestigious Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland, and the 18-man squad features healthy representation from the New York Red Bulls organization.
Three RBNY Homegrown players — goalkeeper Santiago Castaño, defender Matt Miazga and forward Amando Moreno — all made the cut for the tournament, which runs from July 29 to August 2. In addition, Red Bulls Academy teammates Chris Lema (pictured above) and Alex Muyl, who just won the USSF Development Academy U-18 national title over the weekend, were also called into the squad.
Besides the MLS players, academy and college representatives on the US roster, there are also two players based in Europe: goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, currently with Norwegian champions Molde FK, and forward Lynden Gooch of English Premier League club Sunderland.
Five players are also veterans of the US squad that fell just short of the U-17 World Cup during CONCACAF qualifying this past April: Lema, Shaq Moore, John Requejo Jr., Rubio Rubin and Ahinga Selemani.
The US are looking to win back the Milk Cup title for the first time since 2010. They also won the tournament in 2005. This year, they'll face Mexico, hosts Northern Ireland and Denmark in the group stage.
US U-18 MNT Roster By Position:
Goalkeepers: Santiago Castaño (New York Red Bulls; Union City, N.J.), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK; Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Defenders: Jordan Allen (Empire Revolution; Rochester, N.Y.), Michael Amick (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Trevor Haberkorn (Furman; Roanoke, Texas), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), John Requejo Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.)
Midfielders: Brian Iloski (LA Galaxy; Escondido, Calif.), Jacori Hayes (Wake Forest; Bowie, Md.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J.)
Forwards: Lynden Gooch (Sunderland; Santa Cruz, Calif.), Piakai Henkel (Unattached; Arcata, Calif.), Alex Muyl (New York Red Bulls; New York City), Amando Moreno (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), Andrija Novakovich (Chicago Magic PSG; Muskego, Wisc.), Rubio Rubin (unattached; Beaverton, Ore.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.)
