U.S. U-15 BNT set to kick off Nike International Friendlies vs. England

(Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team 00’ begins the new cycle that will culminate with the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India when it hosts the Nike International Friendlies this week at Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Coinciding with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Winter Showcase, the U.S. U-15 BNT kicks off the round-robin tournament Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET against England (live on ussoccer.com).

U.S. U-15 BNT 00’ Notes

• The U-15 BNT 00’ is 3-4-3 over 10 international matches in 2015.
• Fifteen players on the Nike International Friendlies roster took part in the U-15’s run to the Tournament de Nazioni championship in Vipolze, Slovenia this past April and May.
• The U-15 BNT 00’ opens the Nike International Friendlies against familiar foe England. The two sides played to a 2-2 draw on Aug. 16 and 3-3 draw on Aug. 19 in a pair of matches played in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
• Defenders Kelee Cornfield-Saunders, Christopher Durkin and midfielders George Acosta and Adrian Villegas have appeared in all 10 matches for the U-15 BNT this year.
• Andrew Carleton leads the U-15 BNT in scoring with six goals in 2015. He’s followed closely by Toronto FC Academy product Ayomide Akinola with five and Weston FC’s George Acosta with three.
• Acosta and Timothy Weah hold the joint team lead for assists with four each in 2015.
• Timothy Weah is the son of former FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah.
• The U.S. U-15 BNT will be coached by John Hackworth.

2015 Nike International Friendlies Tournament Schedule

Wednesday, Dec. 2
Netherlands vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
USA vs. England, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)

Friday, Dec. 4
Brazil vs. England, 3 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
USA s. Netherlands, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)

Sunday, Dec. 6
England vs. Netherlands, 3 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)
USA vs. Brazil, 6 p.m. ET (ussoccer.com)

U.S. U-15 BNT Roster for 2015 Nike International Friendlies:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces (Kendall FC; Miami, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (7): Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy, Glendora, Calif.), Kelee Cornfield-Saunders (LA Galaxy; San Marcos, Calif.), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Bryan Perez (LA Premier FC; Los Angeles, Calif.), Chandler Vaughn (D.C. United; Woodbridge, Va.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Andrew Carleton (Georgia United; Powder Springs, Ga.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Georgia United; Locust Grove, Ga.), James Sands (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.)
FORWARDS (4): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ont.), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.), Tonny Temple (IMG Academy; Millville, Pa.), Timothy Weah (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.; Rosedale, N.Y.) 

2015 U-15 BNT 00’ Results

2015 U.S. U-15 BNT 00’ Statistics
Through Aug. 19, 2015

Goalkeeper Statistics