USA U-19s to compete in Slovakia Cup

American goalkeeping legend Brad Friedel is leading a 20-man under-19s squad to Slovakia to compete in the Slovakia Cup from April 20th through the 29th.

The U-19s are in Group B and will play Georgia (April 25th in Modranka), Ukraine (April 26th in Bernolakovo), and Slovakia (April 28th in Senica). Group A is comprised of Russia, the Czech Republic, Norway, and Macedonia. The winner of each group will play in the tournament final on April 29th in Myjava.

In February, the U-19s finished 0-3 (dropping matches to Spain, France, and the Canary Islands) at the Copa del Atlantico tournament in Las Palmas, Spain.

Friedel was appointed the coach of the U-19s team on January 4th. He earned 82 caps for the senior national team and led the 2002 World Cup squad to the quarterfinals.

The roster includes seven players plying their trade abroad and four connected to MLS academies.

Roster via U.S. Soccer:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Benn Diaz (Queretaro; Los Angeles, Calif.), Ben Hale (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas)

DEFENDERS (6): Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Pa.), Marlon Fossey (Fulham FC; Surbiton, England), Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic; Sacramento, Calif.), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos; Palmdale, Calif.), Pierre Da Silva (Orlando City SC; Port Chester, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Sebastien Des Pres (RSL Arizona; San Diego, Calif.), Ander Egiluz (Athletic Bilbao; Getxo, Spain), Nelson Hunsinger (Leg A-Z; Mary Esther, Fla.), Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas)

FORWARDS (5): Colby Agu (Capital Area Railhawks; Cary, N.C.), Ernesto Espinoza (Club Tijuana; San Diego, Calif.), Joe Gallardo (Unattached; San Diego, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Isaiah Young (PDA; Berlin, N.J.)