Two NYCFC players have been called up to the U17 U.S Soccer Spring Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.
Twin brothers James and William Sands are both included in the 32-strong roster selected by U17 Men’s National Team Head Coach John Hackworth.
The pair, who are both alumni of New York Soccer Club, will both hope to be involved in 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup qualifying which takes place April 14-May 8 in Panama.
Hackworth said: “Our feeling is that we’ve balanced our roster, in particular by adding two quality center backs that can compete for those starting positions and roster spots. This is the group that we want to train and prepare for the base of our qualifying roster.”
James Sands is currently with the NYCFC first-team on the squad’s preseason training camp in Jacksonville.
In other call-up news, Jonathan Lewis has once again been named to the U.S Soccer U20s squad by Head Coach Tab Ramos.
Lewis is called to the 24-player camp which will assemble in Orlando from today (January 31) until February 10.
Four players will be cut from this list when Ramos makes his final 20-player roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship which determines qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
The World Cup qualifying tournament is scheduled to run from Feb. 17-March 5, with the team’s first game taking place Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. EST against Panama.
Ramos said: “Our objective for this camp is to continue our preparation for the U-20 World Cup qualifiers.
"After having a fitness camp followed by a camp with a combination of fitness and local games, now we are looking to get into game rhythm and select the final roster.”
