Aaron Cervantes Called Up to U17 MNT Camp
Aaron Cervantes has received an international call-up from the U17 Men’s National Team ahead of the CONCACAF U17 Championship to be held next month. The 17-year-old goalkeeper will represent Orange County SC at the national training camp that will host standout youth products from across the country.
Youth Soccer News: Orange County SC goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes has been called up to the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team training camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, from April 4-8. The Chino Hills native will participate in the final camp before the CONCACAF U17 Championship to be held in May. 
Cervantes will be among eight players that have competed in the USL Championship and USL League One this season.
Two years ago, Cervantes signed with Orange County as a 15-year-old prospect. Last month he made his professional debut for the club in a 2-2 draw against New Mexico United at Championship Soccer Stadium. Cervantes recorded two saves in the match, including one that was voted USL Championship Save of the Week for Week 3.
Goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes made his pro debut on March 23, starting against New Mexico United.
The training camp will also be the first under new U.S. U17 Men’s National Team head coach Raphael Wicky.
“I’m really excited to begin this journey with my new team,” said Wicky. “I’m looking forward to meeting both the players and the staff. I have spent a lot of time watching film and studying the players, as well as talking with clubs and U.S. Soccer leaders, which has prepared me well for this camp. Now, I finally get a chance to work with the players in person and prepare them for World Cup qualifying.”
The U17 side will play against Canada (May 2), Barbados (May 4) and Guatemala (May 6) in the group stage of the 2019 CONCACAF U17 Championship. The tournament will be held at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The top four teams of the CONCACAF U17 Championship will ultimately earn a bid to the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil. Wicky hopes to lead the U.S. squad to its 17th appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Twenty-four of the 26 players headed to Lakewood Ranch have spent at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Twenty-two have played in the current 2018-19 campaign, including every player currently based at a U.S. club.
U.S. U 17 MNT Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (4):
Aaron Cervantes (Orange County SC; Chino Hills, Calif.), Bryan Dowd (FC United; Willow Springs, Ill.), Damian Las (Chicago Fire; Norridge, Ill.), Chituru Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN; Calgary, Alberta)
DEFENDERS (8):
Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.), Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.) Mauricio Cuevas (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.), Kobe Hernandez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Antino Lopez (Shattuck–St. Mary’s; Las Vegas, Nev.), Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.)
MIDFIELDERS (5):
Gilbert Fuentes (San Jose Earthquakes; Tracy, Calif.), Bryang Kayo (D.C. United; Poolesville, Md.), Daniel Leyva (Seattle Sounders FC; Las Vegas, Nev.), Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.), Peter Stroud (West Ham United/ENG; Chester, N.J.)
FORWARDS (9):
Sagir David Arce (Morelia/MEX; Chihuahua, Mexico), Jack de Vries (Philadelphia Union; Wayne, Pa.), Cameron Dunbar (LA Galaxy; Chula Vista, Calif.), Andres Jasson (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Kent, Wash.), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas), Joshua Pynadath (Ajax/NED; Los Altos Hills, Calif.), Giovanni Reyna (Unattached; Bedford, N.Y.), Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.)
ROSTER NOTES from U.S. Soccer:
- Seventeen clubs are represented on the roster, with 21 players coming from domestic teams and four based internationally in Canada, England, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
- The LA Galaxy provided the most players with four. Three come from New York City FC, while D.C. United, FC United and Seattle Sounders FC each have two players on the roster.
- Seven players have seen professional minutes in 2019.
- Goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes made his pro debut on March 23, starting against New Mexico United.
- The U-17 MNT returns to Lakewood Ranch for its third straight training camp. The team held a January camp in Florida and hosted the 2018 Nike International Friendlies at the same venue in November and December.
