While the US Men’s National Team, including Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre, and Frankie Westfield, was getting all the attention, the US Youth National Teams were putting in the work in Spain. Some flourished while some floundered, but the Union players within those squads had some triumphant moments.
U19 Men’s National Team
The U19 squad, led by coach Rob Valentino, featured a pair of Union II players in midfielder Kellan LeBlanc and forward Theo Reed, the latter an Academy amateur. Both had impressive stints with the squad and were major contributors.
In their opening match on September 29, both LeBlanc and Reed were in the starting lineup for the 2-0 win over Wales. Both were impactful, with LeBlanc assisting the game-winning goal, and Reed creating chances including a shot that hit the post.
In their 2-1 loss against England on October 2, Reed came off the bench in the 68th minute, while LeBlanc came in at the 83rd.
Wrapping up the friendlies, the pair were key in the US’s 4-3 win over Norway on October 5. Reed scored a brace and LeBlanc had the second-half stoppage time winner.
U17 (2009) Men’s National Team, playing as U18
Malik Jakupovic, the Union’s 17-year-old striker who netted his first MLS goal a few weeks ago, has been enjoying a bit of an upswing as of late. He has had a very strong year at the USYNT level, and continued that run of form in Marbella, Spain as the U17 squad, led by coach Alex Aldaz, held their final camp before the FIFA U17 World Cup. Aldaz will soon be choosing the 21 players to represent the United States, and Jakupovic is a shoe-in to be in that roster.
For the matches, the team played as U18, but will revert to being U17 for the U17 World Cup in Qatar. The opening match with Ireland on September 30, which Jakupovic started and was captain, ended in a 1-1 draw. They lost 3-2 against Norway on October 3, and finished with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands on October 6. Jakupovic started that final match and scored a goal.
U17 (2010) Men’s National Team
Not to be confused with the 2009 group of U17s, coach Jeremy Hall’s squad included Union Academy defender Landon Mulvenna, and played in San Pedro Del Pinatar, Spain in preparation for the 2027 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
The squad started out well with a 4-1 victory over Scotland on September 26, with Mulvenna in the starting lineup. On September 29, they got the 2-1 win over the Netherlands, with Mulvenna coming off the bench in the 61st minute.
The US fell 4-1 to Belgium on October 1, with Mulvenna in the starting XI, and concluded the window with a 4-1 loss to France on October 3.
Main article photo credit: US Soccer/USYNT
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