SECAUCUS, NJ --
Red Bull Academy forward John Agudelo has been called into the U17 Men's National Team Residency Program at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for the Fall 2008 Semester, it was announced today by U.S. Soccer U17 head coach Wilmer Cabrera.
"We are always pleased when a member of the New York Red Bulls is called in to represent their country," commented Bob Montgomery, Director of Youth Programs. "John is an extremely gifted midfielder who not only ran the show, but scored crucial goals for Coach Matlak's U15 New Jersey State Championship team."
Agudelo is one of six players joining the team from MLS associated clubs, as nearly half of the players join the team from Development Academy clubs.
"John is a very talented player, with exceptional technical skills, great passing abilities, and great vision," stated Red Bull U15 head coach Stan Matlak. "In my opinion, he is the most talented player in the entire RBNY Academy."
The players joining the Residency Program will be competing for a place on the U.S. team that will attempt to qualify for its 14th consecutive FIFA Under-17 World Cup in April or May, when the CONCACAF Qualification tournament will be held in Mexico.
Former Red Bull Jozy Altidore also passed through the U17 Residency Program, which was established in 1999.
Agudelo is the 13th player from the New York Red Bull Academy to be invited to participate in National team camps or events. Yannick Salmon (Jamaica), Anthony Vasquez (Puerto Rico), and Matt Uy (USA) played for their respective U20 sides, Johnny Exantus (Haiti), Walter Hines (Costa Rica), and Matt Kassel (USA) represented their countries at the U18 level, Oscar Gonzalez (USA) and Victor Manosalva (Ecuador) played at their countries at the U16 level, Agudelo (USA) at the U15 level, and Danny Bartok (USA), Adam Najem (USA), and Matt Mahoney (USA) played the U14 National side.
