id2 National Selection boys team commands AFC Wimbledon in third match of international tour
SOUTH LONDON, England (April 8, 2023) – The id2 National Selection boys team continued its brilliance in England Saturday afternoon at KCL Sports Ground in South London, beating host AFC Wimbledon, 6-0. It was the third game for the ’09 boys team of the 2023 id2 International Tour, having previously defeated Leeds United FC and West Bromwich Albion FC.
The game was played as three 30-minute periods. Briggs Gwozdo (South Carolina Surf SC) scored in the 13th minute off a penalty kick after Daniel Sanchez (Kansas City Legends) drew a foul in the box. Renden Thomas (LAFC SoCal), fresh off two goals and an assist against West Bromwich Albion FC, again scored twice (36th and 45th). Sebastian Moran Ruano (Strikers Irvine), Sanchez and John Lewis (Florida Kraze Krush) each added a goal in the final period.
The 2023 id2 National Selection boys and girls teams face five worthy challengers in England during the tour:
- 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
The id2 National Selection girls squad play the U-16 teams of their academy opponents, except for the Haringey Girls Academy U-15 team.
The matches take 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 will see first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation have 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 will be available on social media.
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A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.
Anchored by Players First and its pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Referee Development, Parent Engagement and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.
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