Thursday, February 21
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced today the list of 12 players chosen from last month’s Super Y-League ODP National Camps held in Cocoa, Florida that will accompany USL on their joint venture with English Premier League side West Ham United.
A unique and inventive element for youth players in North America, the project paves the way for the most skilled players in USL’s Under-13 through Under-17 league access to training within one of the top youth academies in the world.
“Coming out of this season’s SYL ODP National Camps, we wanted to provide players who displayed exceptional tactical awareness and technical ability, the opportunity to compete and be scouted at an elite international level,” said Senior Director of Youth League Development, Jeff McRaney. “Regarded as one of the top academies in the world, the West Ham Youth Academy provides the best platform to meet those initiatives for our U13 through U17 boys.”
Derived by the calculated evaluations of the SYL ODP Technical Staff, player selections were made based on ability, work ethic and level of performance over a four day period at the SYL ODP Camps. The list is compiled of the top 10 field players and two goalkeepers who attended the SYL ODP Camps.
USL’s proposal of sending selected athletes to the storied West Ham Academy furthers USL’s ongoing mission of developing an international platform for foreign clubs to connect with the North American game. The initiative provides the best available opportunities for USL players with professional aspirations.
Players will begin traveling to West Ham United on Friday, March 28. During their ten day venture, players will train within their corresponding West Ham Academy age group and attend English Premier League matches.
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Super Y-League ODP Players Heading to West Ham Academy
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Justin Maheu
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Ottawa Fury
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Alan Narvaez
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D
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Juventus Sport Club
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Cody Mizell
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GK
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Atlanta Silverbacks
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Renato Pezzulo
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D
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Parsippany SC
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Glenroy Chapman
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D
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South Jersey Barons
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Ryan Lehman
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Atlanta Fire United
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Aaron Liang
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D
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Santa Cruz County Breakers
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Cody Cropper
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GK
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Bangu Tsunami
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Sekani Sinclair
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D
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Schulz Academy
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Giovanni Freitas
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D
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Sunrise SC
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Fabian Bastidas
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M
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Sunrise SC
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Antonio Schneider
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D
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Chicago Magic
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