Mukwelle Akale Selected to 20-Player US U-17 Roster for AGS Cup in Spain

Minnesota’s Mukwelle Akale, who is part of the 31 player U.S. U-17 residency program, has been selected as one of only two 15-year-olds on the 20-player roster that will take part in the AGS Cup in Spain. Head coach Richie Williams named the 20-players in preparation for the upcoming trip to Alicante, Spain from Sept. 29-Oct. 6 to compete in the 2012 AGS Cup.

The U.S., which finished in second place at the 2011 AGS Cup, was placed into Group B of the tournament along with the United Arab Emirates, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Group A features the USA’s CONCACAF rivals Mexico and Canada paired with Morocco and Russia.

Tournament play begins on Sept. 29 as the U.S. squares off against Azerbaijan at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET). The U.S. faces Georgia on Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) and ends group play on Oct. 1 against the United Arab Emirates at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).

Depending on the team’s results in group play, the U.S. will contest a playoff match against a team from Group A on either Oct. 3 or 4 before finishing the tournament with a placement match on Oct. 6.

Full Roster

U.S. U-17 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2):  Jeff Caldwell (NC Fusion; Todd, N.C.), Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders FC; Woodinville, Wash.)
DEFENDERS (7):  Bryce Cregan (PA Classics; Dallastown, Pa.), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Jorge Miranda (LA Galaxy; Van Nuys, Calif.), Shaquell Moore (Unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), John Requejo Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.)
MIDFIELDERS (6):  Mukwelle Akale (Minnesota Thunder; Minneapolis, Minn.), Junior Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J.), Rolando Muñoz (LA Galaxy; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Ben Swanson (Crew Soccer Academy; Grove City, Ohio)
FORWARDS (5): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Portland Timbers; Beaverton, Ore.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls; South Orange, N.J.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea FC; Garland, Texas)