Benjamin Joya (pictured) was called up to the United States under-23 national team for its October trip to Brazil. (Photo: Mexsport)
CHICAGO – A 21-player roster has been named for the United States under-23 men’s national team’s upcoming trip to Brazil.
The group, which is beginning early preparations for 2016 Olympic Football Tournament qualifying, will train in Brasilia from October 10-12 and then meet its counterpart from the host nation in a friendly on October 13 at the Estádio Nacional.
In its last gathering, the U.S. defeated the host Bahamas senior team, 5-1, on August 6. The current roster includes nine players from that win, including Jordan Morris and Dennis Flores, who each scored a goal.
The selection contains seven members from the team that competed at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey: goalkeeper Cody Cropper; defenders Eric Miller, Juan Pablo Ocegueda and Oscar Sorto; midfielder Benji Joya and forwards Alonso Hernandez and Mario Rodriguez.
At 16-years-old, Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is the youngest player.
UNITED STATES UNDER-23 ROSTER
(Training camp & friendly: October 10-13, 2014, in Brasilia, Brazil)
GOALKEEPERS: Charlie Horton (Cardiff City/Wales), Cody Cropper (Southampton/England)
DEFENDERS: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/England), Christian Dean (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/Canada), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Eric Miller (Impact de Montreal/Canada), Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca/Mexico), William Packwood (Birmingham City/England), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Oscar Sorto (LA Galaxy)
MIDFIELDERS: Dennis Flores (León/Mexico), Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham/England), Benjamin Joya (Chicago Fire), Esteban Rodriguez (Dorados de Sinaloa/Mexico)
FORWARDS: Alonso Hernandez (Monterrey/Mexico), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Sean Okoli (Seattle Sounders FC), Mario Rodriguez (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht/Netherlands), Ben Spencer (Indy Eleven/USA)
