U.S. teens train at Juventus, A.C. Milan

U.S. teens train at Juventus, A.C. Milan
by J.R. Eskilson
March 6, 2013

U.S. U15 Boys National Team standout Joshua Perez continues to rack up the airfare miles, as the budding talent explores his options in Europe for which club he will join next.

Perez spent part of February in Milan with the Rossoneri’s youth academy. A.C. Milan joins a list of clubs that includes PSV and Fiorentina for where Perez has been on trial in the past twelve months.

Christopher Flores, boys club soccer, JuventusChristopher Flores

The brilliant winger returned to the States last week, as he continues to train and play for Chivas USA full time.

Without a passport from a European Union country, there are some complications to any full time move across the Atlantic for Perez. However, indications from those close to the player suggest that the Perez family is firmly committed to making the situation work.

Perez, who is the nephew of U.S. Men’s National Team great Hugo Perez, will be in youth national team camp with the 1998 age group later this month at the Home Depot Center.

New York Teen trains with Juventus

Perez is not the only American who is making the trek over to Italy.

Christopher Flores is heading to Turin this month for a stint with Juventus’ Academy. The 15-year-old forward from Great Neck, New York plays for Met Oval in the USSF Development Academy. The partnership between the youth club and the Serie A giants led to the opportunity for the teenager.

Flores has appeared in 11 games this season with Met Oval’s U16 squad. Previously, he was a member of the Brooklyn Knights. He scored 12 goals and contributed six assists while leading the Knights to the 2011 Super Y-League North American Finals.

The teenager departs on March 23 for his training stint in Italy.

U.S. Youth National Teamer in Argentina

Benji Joya and Daniel Cuevas were, arguably, the most surprising contributors to the success of the U.S. U20 Men’s National Team at the 2013 CONCACAF Championships last week. 

Joya and Cuevas were off the radar prospects in the youth system until U20 head coach Tab Ramos selected them for a training camp with this cycle. The Santos Laguna pair made the most of the chance and had impressive showings on the big stage at the World Cup qualifying event. 

There is a common thread between the two that goes beyond their club and hometown. Maximilano Roditis, a soccer manager, was the one who helped both of them reach this level. The former professional player guided the player to Santos Laguna after seeing them play in the Sacramento area.

Roditis is now helping another budding star reach the same level.

Estudiantes de la Plata youngster Ryan Palmbaum is the next project for Roditis. Palmbaum is only 12-years-old, so there is a long road ahead for him, but the midfielder is already impressing with the top youth club in Argentina as the leading scorer for his age group.

Palmbaum, originally from Roseville, California, was called into a U.S. U14 Boys National Team last year with the 1999 age group. Palmbum along with Ben Lederman and Christopher Goslin are expected to be the key pieces for the 2000 age group, which will have its first camp in August.

Marco Toscano finalizes move to Tecos

Marco Toscano told TopDrawerSoccer.com last week that he has finalized a move to Estudiantes Tecos, and will be joining the club by the end of the month.

Toscano was profiled on the site a couple of weeks ago after he had a successful trial with the club. The Colorado teenager was waiting for the end of his high school semester before making the move to the Mexican club full time.

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