Mt. Laurel, NJ June 3 , 2015: The next wave of young American talent came crashing into Belgium this past weekend.  The Next Gen USA 2002 Boys Select Squad performed magnificently to finish an impressive fifth out of 16 teams, achieving a 5-1 record with their only loss coming in a heartbreaking last minute defeat by the tournament winners, FC Barcelona. 

“The boys were magnificent, playing with quality and character on the field and earning well deserved recognition for the professionalism they showed off the field.  Being invited as the first ever group to represent the U.S. we all felt a great responsibility to create a favorable first impression and we are proud to have done that. For our most talented young players in the U.S. to reach their full potential we must provide them with world class international development experiences that will challenge and inspire their development,” said Tony Williams, Director of Youth Development at Next Gen USA. 

The prestigious U13 Cup in Bassevelde, Belgium, is known as the U13 Champions League. Next Gen USA entered the tournament as the unheard of American underdogs, but they left with the respect and interest of some of Europe’s biggest Professional Clubs. 

“The Next Gen USA team played at a very high level. We were not expecting- it against such big teams from Europe. In America they would never have the opportunity to play against such clubs. So, I would never have believed how well they did.  Next Gen USA has really talented, wonderful players and we would take six or seven of these boys if we could,” said Peter Quast, Bayer Leverkusen U13 Coach.

 The Squad was selected after clubs nominated their most promising players to attend Next Gen USA’s  “Best with Best” Regional Training Centers.  The 17 players were from eight different states, 10 players were identified from non USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Developmental Academy Clubs, five were Pre Academy Players at USSF Developmental Academy Clubs and two players, Paxton Aaronson and Ethan Horribin were born in 2003.

The Next Gen USA 2002 Select Squad: 

Onyx Murillo (Atlantic City Youth in Motion, Atlantic City, NJ), Bryang Kayo (Bethesda SC, Montgomery Village, MD.), Adam Lenges (Penn Fusion SA, Wilmington, DE), Hamza Shehata (Match Fit Academy, Kendall Park, NJ), Andres Jasson (Everton FC West Chester, Greenwich, CT), Tomas Lazicki (Holmdel NJX, Atlantic Highlands, NJ), Nick Long (Pipeline SC,Nottingham, MD), Joe Suchecki (BW Gottschee, New York, NY), Noah Atanda (Bethesda SC, Olney MD), Tucker Lepley (Carolina FC, Charlotte, NC), Julian Anderson (PDA, Ocean, NJ), Gregory Zappos (Brentford F.C , London, UK),  Paxton Aaronson (NJ Real, Medford, NJ), Jack De Vries ( Beach FC, Virginia- Beach, VA), Simon Reng Thlang(Washington United, Summerdale, NJ), William Cardona (Weddington Black Soccer, Fort Mill, SC), Ethen Horrobin (New Jersey Cedar Stars Academy, Union, NJ). 

The Next Gen USA Squad opened the tournament defeating the host team, KVVK Bassevelde,
5-1. They went on to beat Club Brugge from Belgium 3-2 and Bayer Leverkusen from Germany
1-0 to win their group. Their prize was a Quarter Final match up against the great FC Barcelona. The Select Squad showed tremendous confidence and courage in a thrilling match, which ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. Barcelona scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game.

“It took a while for it to sink it that we were playing Barcelona, but we showed the character of champions traits and once we realized we were able to compete with them we did really well.  This experience with Next Gen taught us how to be more mature and professional,” stated Andres Jasson, Everton Westchester F.C / Next Gen USA Player. 

On Sunday the Next Gen USA squad qualified into a 4-team group that competed for fifth-eighth place. First up were Scottish giants, Glasgow Celtic. The Next Gen USA boys won this hard fought match 3-1. Then, playing in front of over 3,000 people, they defeated German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund 1-0 to win fifth  place. 

“Results like these against world-class youth development academies, proves that a ‘best-with-best’ program not only works to help accelerate the development of the most promising players in the USA, but is also a solution in bridging the gap between club and country,” said Jeff Bookman, Next Gen USA Technical Director. 

Next Gen USA’s Onyx Murillo from Atlantic City, NJ won the tournaments Golden Boot scoring eight goals in six games. What’s even more remarkable is that less than a year a go he wasn’t even playing on a travel team!  He was discovered through Next Gen USA’s Urban Promise Program playing in a recreation league with Atlantic City Youth in Motion. He is now being invited to train with top European Professional Academies.

Jeff Bookman, Scott Middlemass and Tony Williams, who are all directors in the program, coached the Next Gen USA Squad. Rusty Aaronson, Director of Coaching at Real NJ Soccer Club, was a guest coach that also helped with preparation and guidance.  

“Through Next Gen the best players from our club have been able to train and play together with the other talented players from top clubs around the region, that’s been a recipe for success.  At Next Gen the boys are learning important social skills off the field and are coming back with more confidence and responsibility. This week, I’ve seen it with my own eyes young American players who came here questioning their level are now leaving with the understanding that they are as just as good as the rest of the world. Hopefully this achievement can raise the awareness and more kids will get this opportunity in the future.” Rusty Aaronson, Director of Coaching Real NJ Soccer Club. 

Next Gen USA: To nominate players or to get more information on Next Gen USA Programs contact Tony Williams: tony@nextgenusa.org or visit www.nextgenusa.org.