US U17s Mexico Copa de Naciones

U17s beat China 6-0, Mexico (second team entered after Argentina withdrew) 2-0 and face Paraguay today. This is the team that won this tournament last year (winning goal by a Cleveland boy), won the Nike friendlies (beating Brazil, England and others), and won the Aegean Cup.

Of note to FUSA members would be Fulham's playmaker Luca de la Torre, Cleveland Internationals defender John Nelson, U of Louisville coach Mario Sanchez is the assistant coach, and as is the case for every youth national team there are several players from So Cal. There was a San Antonio boy on this team last year, don't know where he is now.

Copa Mexico de Naciones:
GOALKEEPERS (2): William Pulisic (Richmond Strikers; Mechanicsville, Va.), Kevin Silva (PDA; Bethlehem, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (7): Hugo Arellano (Chivas USA Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), Daniel Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Tanner Dieterich (Unattached; Nashville, Tenn.), Edwin Lara (Juventus; San Leandro, Calif.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Alexis Velela (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Luca de la Torre (Fulham; San Diego, Calif.), Thomas McCabe (PDA; South Orange, N.J.), Christian Pulisic (PA Classics; Hershey, Pa.), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas Academy; El Paso, Texas)
FORWARDS (6): Pierre Da Silva (New York Soccer Club; Port Chester, N.Y.), McKinze Gaines (Lonestar SC; Austin, Texas), Joe Gallardo (Monterrey FC; San Diego, Calif.), Josh Perez (Unattached; La Habra, Calif.), Elijah Rice (Chicago Magic PSG; Highland Park, Ill.), Haji Wright (Unattached; Los Angeles, Calif.)

 

With a name "Luca de la Torre" I'm optimistic. Thanks for the update 'Mo.