COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Monday, June 2, 2014) –Colorado Rapids Academy defender Quentin Pearson has been selected to the United States Under-18 National Team for a U-18 International Tournament in Lisbon, Portugal from June 6-11. Pearson has become a regular with the U.S. U-18’s, and is joining the team for the third time in 2014.
“Quentin is a player we feel needs constant exposure at the highest levels of the game,” said Brian Crookham, the Rapids Senior Director of Youth Development. “This experience will prove very valuable as he continues his progress through our organization. His work rate and focus has again earned him this tremendous honor.”
The U.S. U-18 roster consists of 18 players, and will face Norway on June 6, Portugal on June 8, and Sweden on June 10 in the four-team round-robin style competition. The U.S. U-18s will also play a pre-tournament friendly against Primeira Liga powerhouse Benfica’s U-19 squad on June 3.
Former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Eddie Lewis will guide the squad while U-18 MNT head coach Javier Perez assists with the senior Men’s National Team as it prepares for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team International Tournament Schedule
Date Opponent Time (Local)
June 3 vs. Benfica U-19 4:30 p.m.
June 6 vs. Norway U-18 4 p.m.
June 8 vs. Portugal U-18 6 p.m.
June 10 vs. Sweden U-18 4 p.m.
U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jonathan Klinsmann (Irvine Strikers; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (5): Chase Gasper (Bethesda Olney; Alexandria, Va.), Malcolm Jones (LA Galaxy; Chino Hills, Calif.), Quentin Pearson (Colorado Rapids; Longmont, Colo.), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bolingbrook, Ill.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City; Oveido, Fla.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Mukwelle Akale (Minnesota Thunder; Minneapolis, Minn.), Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire; Downers Grove, Ill.), Brooks Lennon (RSL Arizona; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Cameron Lindley (Chicago Fire; Carmel, Ind.), Maduabuchi Obinwa (Chicago Magic; Orlando, Fla.), Sebastian Saucedo (RSL Arizona; Casa Grande, Ariz.), Ben Swanson (Crew Academy; Grove City, Ohio)
FORWARDS (4): Coy Craft (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Sebastian Elney (Boca United; Boca, Fla.), Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht; Beaverton, Ore.), Dembakwi Yomba (Concorde Fire; Lithona, Ga.)
The Rapids captured a 3-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday was the first of three games in seven days, with Colorado hosting the Chicago Fire this Wednesday, with tickets available by clicking here or calling 303-825-GOAL. The team then faces FC Dallas in the first meeting against the Texas side since Oscar Pareja became its new head coach in the offseason.
