FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution Under-16 goalkeeper Austin Aviza (Medway, Mass.) is among the 24 players called in by U.S. U.S. Soccer Technical Advisors Brian Johnson and Carson Porter for the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team camp, which began Saturday, March 23, and continues through Sunday, March 31, in Carson, Calif.
One of two goalkeepers selected from across the country, Aviza joins Real So Cal’s Justin Vom Steeg as they prepare for the 2013 Caspian Cup this May in Azerbaijan. Eighteen of the 24 players in camp are expected to rejoin the U17s for the tournament.
“We’re very pleased for Austin; he has worked extremely hard,” said Revolution Director of Youth Development and Under-16 head coach Bryan Scales. “Both (Revolution Academy goalkeepers coach) Karl Spratt and (first-team goalkeepers coach) Remi Roy have done a terrific job immersing him in a challenging training environment throughout the season to prepare him for these opportunities.”
This is Aviza’s first call-up to camp with the U17s, and he is one of 18 players that are currently part of U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs. The Medway resident had previously participated in four U.S. Soccer Training Centers, held locally in January 2012, June 2012, November 2012 and January 2013.
Aviza is currently in his second season with the Revolution Academy. During the 2011-12 season, the goalkeeper made 18 appearances – all starts – with the Under-16 team, posting a 1.29 goals against average and securing six shutouts.
U.S. U17 Men’s National Team Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Austin Aviza (NE Revolution; Medway, Mass.), Justin Vom Steeg (Real So Cal; Santa Barbara, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (8): Guillermo Bermudez (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), David Chavez (Juventus Sport Club; Redwood City, Calif.), Henry Martin (NY Red Bulls; New York, N.Y.), Evan Martinez (Athletico Santa Rosa; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Pablo Pelaez (Albion SC; San Diego, Calif.) Quentin Pearson (Colorado Rapids; Longmont, Colo.), Alex Ramos (LA Galaxy; Reseda, Calif.), Sean Wilson (PDA; Bethleham, Pa.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Said Haji (NH Classics; Manchester, N.H.), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake AZ; Paradise Valley, Ariz.) Cameron Lindley (Indiana United Fire; Carmel, Ind.), Kosti Moni (Crew Wolves; Grand Rapids, Mich.), Abuchi Obinwa (Chicago Magic PSG; Gotha, Fla.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake AZ; Park City, Utah)
FORWARDS (8): Coy Craft (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Malcolm Dixon (NY Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo; Pasadena, Texas), Amirgy Pineda (Fullerton Rangers; Santa Ana, Calif.), Rigoberto Rojas (Chicago Blast; Chicago, Ill.), Jorge Ruiz (Chivas USA; Mission Hills, Calif.), Alejandro Vergera (Chivas USA; Long Beach, Calif.), DJ Villegas (Davis Legacy; Sacramento, Calif.)
