2023 id2 International Tour concludes in England, providing players with immersive experience
LONDON, England (April 10, 2023) – The 2023 id2 International Tour concluded Monday afternoon after the girls and boys teams defeated Oxford United FC, 7-0 and 5-1, respectively. The ’09 teams leave London for the U.S. Tuesday morning after having beaten every team they faced and being challenged on and off the field. While this was the 11th id2 International Tour in id2 Program history, this trip was unique in that it also featured a girls team, who had in previous years participated in a domestic camp as its final id2 progression.
Monday afternoon’s games against Oxford United FC were similar to the previous six games of the tour, as the id2 National Selection girls and boys teams earned early leads and were unrelenting throughout. For the girls, the shutout was the fourth of the trip. Felicity Nguyen (SoCal Blues) scored a hat trick – her second in four games – and Mia Corona (Legends FC) scored twice. Kaia Maloian (Rush West HI) and Jordyn Heathcock (Oklahoma Energy SC) each added a second half goal. Miliani Makasini (Bay Area Surf) provided an assist.
In the boys game, a total team effort again led to victory against the host opponent. Sebastian Moran Ruano (Strikers Irvine) broke the scoreless tie in the 23rd minute, assisted by John Lewis (Florida Kraze Krush). Lewis scored just before halftime for a 2-0 advantage at intermission. A goal from Renden Thomas (LAFC SoCal) and two goals from Daniel Sanchez (Kansas City Legends) provided plenty of insurance, despite allowing a goal – only the second in four games for the id2 boys – midway through the second half.
Here is the full game schedule in England with recaps available for each:
- April 3 vs. Leeds United FC (boys only)
- April 4 vs. Everton FC (girls only)
- April 6 vs. West Bromwich Albion FC
- April 8 vs. AFC Wimbledon (boys only)
- April 8 vs. Haringey Girls Academy (girls only)
- April 10 vs. Oxford United FC (details above)
The id2 National Selection girls squad played the U-16 teams of their academy opponents, except for the Haringey Girls Academy U-15 team.
The matches took the teams to several sites in England, which speaks to the value of cultural immersion on this trip. These clubs offer unique training styles and developmental experiences that the id2 National Selection teams saw first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation also attended professional men’s and women’s games and toured stadiums in Manchester and London.
The 2023 id2 National Selection International Tour officially began March 30 with a two-day domestic camp in New Jersey before traveling to Manchester for the first half of the England stay and then London for the remainder. The tour, which concludes April 11, represents the final progression of the current id2 age group cycle targeting players born in 2009.
The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. For the international tour, all travel costs are also covered by US Club Soccer. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.
Follow @USClubSoccer throughout the 2023 id2 National Selection International Tour on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube for coverage. A highlight video of each game is available on social media, as well as a slew of other videos, graphics and photos from every day of the tour.
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