Sounders Academy Alumni Called Into US U-20 January Camp

by Dave Clark on Jan 2, 2012 12:30 PM PST in Sounders: Academy, U23 PDL and Reserves

The Seattle Sounders Academy shows early promise as two Alumni were selected to the United States National Team's U-20 Camp in January. Forward Sean Okoli, currently with Wake Forrest, and rightback Deandre Yedlin, of Akron, will both get to prove themselves to coach Tab Ramos. While the Sounders have a very tight roster for 2012 it is clear that they hold some cards from within their own Academy.

Okoli and Yedlin are two of 15 college players who will join with 12 pros from MLS, Bundesliga, Mexican and Norwegian Premier leagues. This includes one time University of Washington commit Villyan Bijev. There are also nine current Academy players on the roster.

As the Sounders continue to recruit and track potential pros down to the U-11 level they can point to the recognition of players like Okoli, Yedlin and others who get the call to perform in not just the green and blue but also our nation's colors.

Jalen Markey of the Sounders U-16s is called into US U-18 camp as well.

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Congratualtions to Deandre and Sean

Go do us proud!

by brokejumper on Jan 2, 2012 2:30 PM PST reply actions

Congrats to them all

I hope we’ll see Deandre, Sean and Jalen in red, white and blue (as well as rave green) for a long time. :-)

by Dizzo on Jan 2, 2012 2:36 PM PST reply actions

I missed Jalen there!

Read right over the last sentence. Way to go Jalen!

by brokejumper on Jan 2, 2012 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

It was added later

@SoundersAcademy tweeted his addition.

Seattle also has a player on the U-17 2013 World Cup team.

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by Dave Clark on Jan 2, 2012 6:41 PM PST up reply actions

But

I’m not sure about that, don’t you think its a little early for players to start being announced as on a 2013 WC team? We still have another year and a half til then..

by DMS12 on Jan 2, 2012 6:43 PM PST up reply actions

They take those players aside and start training now

Paul Christenson, keeper from the U-16 Sounders was already selected and has already played in matches against European teams.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow @bedirthan Dave's Twitter

by Dave Clark on Jan 2, 2012 6:52 PM PST up reply actions

If I were the coach

I guess I would’ve waited a little longer. Ya know? Maybe a very good player comes along who I haven’t seen before and instead of having to drop a player from the roster, I can compile my roster around 6-8 months before and have the players ready that way. A full year and a half seems early to me I guess thats all.

by DMS12 on Jan 2, 2012 7:44 PM PST up reply actions