FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution Academy forward Justin Rennicks is no stranger to the U.S. National Team setup, having joined several Under-16 and Under-18 camps in recent years. His most recent experience with the U.S. U18s was an eight-day camp in Chula Vista, California, which wrapped up last Saturday, April 30.
Rennicks rejoined his Revolution Under-18 teammates for a training session inside the Empower Field House on Thursday night, but before lacing up his boots he reflected on his time with the USYNT.
“Honestly, it’s been getting better for me. I’ve been getting more used to going with the national team,” said Rennicks, who was first called into the U.S. U18s last July. “The chemistry is building up because this is a newer team. Everybody’s getting to know each other.”
In many ways Rennicks’ talent translated to the international level immediately; he’s registered either a goal or an assist in every international tournament he’s participated in at both the U16 and U18 levels.
But there’s an adjustment period for every player who makes the leap into a national team camp, and Director of Youth Development Bryan Scales believes Rennicks has moved past that initial phase and into a place where he’s developing the skills he’ll need to reach the next level.
“When you first go into these camps, it’s a surprise. You’re excited, it’s new, the game is fast and you’re playing against other top kids from around the country and in international games,” Scales said. “Now I think the game has started to slow down a little bit for him, and when he goes into these international trips, I don’t think that Justin is in awe whatsoever.”
U.S. Under-18 head coach Omid Namazi deployed a 4-3-3 system in a pair of friendlies during camp at the Olympic Training Center, using Rennicks – who stands at 5-foot-11 and has the pace to stretch defenses – as the target forward.
Rennicks was one of just three field players to play the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Club Tijuana’s U20/U18 team, while he played 35 minutes off the bench in a 1-1 draw with the San Diego Nomads.
The experience Rennicks is getting at the national team level – like the experience he’s had training with the Revolution first team during preseason the past two years – is invaluable, and will only serve to aid in his progression as he continues to round into a more complete player.
“The (U18) national team is the closest thing (at the youth level) to the professional Revolution team. Getting used to playing with them will clearly help me play up with the older guys,” Rennicks said. “Clearly it’s not as good as the pro players, but it’s the level that will definitely help me get there. It’s exciting.”
Rennicks will very likely have more opportunities to train with the Revolution first team during the summer months, and all indications are that he’ll continue to be called into the U.S. Under-18 setup.
“The reports that we get back (from the U.S. Under-18s) are that he’s done very well,” Scales said. “I think it just helps add to his backpack when it comes to what the real game looks like and the real demands, not just here domestically, but internationally.”
