Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin and Chicago Fire midfielder Victor Pineda headline a group of six MLS products called into US Under-18 national-team camp by head coach Mike Matkovich on Monday. The U18s will train in Portland, Oregon from April 16-24 and will play twice on April 23rd against the University of Washington and the University of Portland.
Kempin, Kansas City’s first Home Grown Player upon signing last year at age 17, is an active member in the United States Under-18 and Under-20 National Team pools, having played for the U18 National Team in Israel in December 2010 and starting both matches for the U20 National Team at the Torneo de las Americas in November 2010.
Kempin also participated in a 36-player U18 National Team training camp in Carson, California in January 2010 and was called upon again in April 2010 as one of two goalkeepers in a 24-player training camp also held at the Home Depot Center.
The 24-man list also features MLS youth prospects Scott Thomsen (New York Red Bulls Academy), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders Academy), Marcus Salandy-Defour (D.C. United Academy) and Will Trapp (Crew Soccer Academy).
Furman University's Walker Zimmerman is the only college player on the roster.
The squad will convene in Portland, Ore., from April 16-24 and will play friendlies against the Portland Timbers, the University of Portland and the University of Washington during the camp.
US U-18 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jeff Gal (Sockers FC; Bartlett, Ill.), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City; Leawood, Kan.)
DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Campbell (NC Fusion; Greensboro, N.C.), Matt Jeffery (PDA; Freehold, N.J.), Mitchell Lurie (Concorde Fire; Alpharetta, Ga.), Timothy Parker (Albertson SC; Hicksville, N.Y.), Grant Silvester (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Scott Thomsen (New York Red Bulls Academy; Brick, N.J.), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders Academy; Seattle), Walker Zimmerman (Furman University; Lawrenceville, Ga.)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Stefano Bonomo (De Anza Force; Hillsborough, Calif.), Seth Casiple (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Daniel Cuevas Granados (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Miguel Lopez, Jr. (Classics Elite; Alton, Texas), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bollingbrook, Ill.), Marcus Salandy-Defour (D.C. United Academy; Kensington, Md.), Christopher Somerville (Baltimore Bays Chelsea; West Chester, Pa.), Gabe Stauber (FC Westchester; Waccabuc, N.Y.), Will Trapp (Crew Soccer Academy; Gahanna, Ohio), Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler (CASL Chelsea SC; Cary, N.C.)
FORWARDS (4): Villyan Bijev (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Isaac Kannah (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Plymouth Minn.), Luis Rendon (FC Richmond Magic; Chesterfield, Va.), Khiry Shelton (Lonestar SC; Leander, Texas)
Noah Davis covers the United States national team for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @noahedavis.
