So Rongen’s work with this cycle is crucial in general. But it becomes even more crucial as the coach identifies dual nationals and brings them in to the U.S. system for a look. That’s what makes this upcoming camp so interesting.Rongen has brought in no fewer than eight players who are on the books at Mexican clubs. It’s safe to assume they are all dual nationals. He has also included one player each based in Costa Rica and Brazil.
Rongen is great at looking at lots of players, but doesn’t always select the best ones in the end. Still, the commitment to finding American players worldwide is impressive and bound to yield dividends soon.
Here’s the roster:
Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Earl Edwards (UCLA; San Diego, Calif.), Zac MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Justin Perez (C.F. Monterrey; Sabinas, COAH Mexico)
DEFENDERS (8): Cristian Flores (C.F. Monterrey; El Cajon, Calif.), Greg Garza (Sporting CP; Grapevine, Texas), Sacir Hot (Boston College; Fair Lawn, N.J.), Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Albertson; Brentwood, N.Y.), Aubrey Perry (South Florida; Ocoee, Fla.), Gerardo Saavedra (UW-Milwaukee; Milwaukee, Wis.), Zarek Valentin (Akron; Lancaster, Pa.), Ethan White (Maryland; Kensington, Md.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kevyn Batista (Desportivo Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Steven Birnbaum (California; Irvine, Calif.), Victor Garza (Tigres; Edinburg, Texas), Ernest Nungaray (Monarcas Morelia; National City, Calif.), Moises Orozco (Real So Cal; Oxnard, Calif.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Roberto Romero (Cruz Azul; Pico Rivera, Calif.); Conor Shanosky (DC United, Sterling, Va.)
FORWARDS (5): Julio Cesar Castillo (C.F. Monterrey; Chula Vista, Calif.), Adam Jahn (Stanford; El Macero, Calif.), Ronald Mendrano Williams (L.D. Alajuelense; Ventura, Calif.), Adrian Ruelas (Santos Laguna; Fontana, Calif.), Omar Salgado (C.D. Guadalajara; El Paso, Texas)