CHICAGO – Grande Sports Academy’s Miles Stray will be headed to Europe as part of the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team for the Open Nordic Tournament starting July 28 in Kolding, Denmark.
“It’s been a goal for a while now, ever since I came to [Grande Sports Academy],” said Stray. “All of the coaches here have been really supportive about it, pushing me even when I thought my shot was over, I didn’t play well in front of one scout.
“All of my teammates kept helping me out, talking about what a great experience it is,” said Stray. “It’s been a big help, seeing all of my other teammates on the national team, just wanting to get to that position and I finally got there.”
The call up sees Stray on his first tournament roster with the national team following his call up to the U-17 training camp in Carson earlier this month. Stray played 45 minutes at the camp, helping to secure a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Sport Club Orange County PDL.
Stray played 30 games for Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-15/16 this season, helping contribute to the team’s Southwest Division and West Conference best 20 goals conceded while adding four goals scored of his own.
The Open Nordic Tournament kicks off on Monday, July 28th with the U.S. taking on hosts Denmark, followed by matches against Norway and the Faroe Islands and concluding with a placement match on Saturday, August 2nd.
U.S. U-17 MNT Roster:
Goalkeepers: Eric Lopez (LA Galaxy Academy) William Pulisic (Richmond Strikers)
Defenders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls Academy), Nikkye DePoint (Revolution Empire), Edwin Lara (Juventus), AJ Palazzolo (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri), Logan Panchot (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri), Miles Stray (Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy)
Midfielders: George Braima (Crew Soccer Academy), Jonathan Gonzalez (Monterrey), Kyle Gurrieri (NJCSA), Keegan Kelly (Baltimore Celtic), Weston McKennie (FC Dallas Academy), Brian Zelaya (De Anza Force)
Forwards: McKinze Gaines (Lonestar SC), Kai Koreniuk (Vitesse), Eric Matzelevich (Bethesda-Olney), Elijah Rice (Chicago Magic PSG)