Youth & High School

Gonzalez set for national service
October 6, 2006


The Revolution's Miguel Gonzalez has been named to the USA Under-20 squad for a four-day training camp in Sunrise, FL, which begins on Sunday. The camp will include a behind-closed-doors match against Haiti's Under-23.

Miguel Gonzalez (Revolution media relations)

For Gonzalez, who joined the revs in July, next week's camp will maker his second involvement with the national teams program, following his successful debut in September's Busan Invitational tournament in South Korea, which he marked with a goal against Argentina.

Of the sixteen players on the roster, ten are professionals playing in MLS or overseas. DC United midfielder, Freddy Adu, is the most experienced player on the roster as he has played in the past two FIFA World Youth Championships, though he will be making his first appearance for this Under-20 team.

“While it is a short camp, this is a great opportunity for us to have a large number of our professional players together for an international match, while also taking a look at a couple other players from the college ranks that have not been in with us before,” said Rongen.

“A few of our professional players have been in at least one camp this year, but we've never been able to bring so many of our top players together for a single camp. It will be valuable to be able to put them on the field at the same time against Haiti as we continue to prepare for qualifying early next year.”

The match against Haiti will be the Under-20's tenth international match of the year. The USA is 3-4-2 overall this year, with wins over Argentina, Canada and Wales.

The side is preparing for the 2007 Under-20 Final Round Qualifying Tournament, which will take place in Mexico and Panama next year. A total of eight teams – four in each group – will be looking to progress to the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada.

Roster

Goalkeepers: Brian Perk (UCLA), Joe Willis (Denver)

Defenders: Nick Cardenas (San Diego State), Amaechi Igwe (Santa Clara), Nathan Sturgis (LA Galaxy), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (DC United), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Miguel Gonzalez (New England Revolution), Rodrigo Lopez (Chivas USA), Stephen McCarthy (Santa Clara), Danny Szetela (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Rodrigo Hidalgo (USF), Quavas Kirk (L.A. Galaxy), Robbie Rogers (SC Heerenveen), Johann Smith (Bolton FC)