Earthquakes Academy midfielder Mario Anaya has been named to the U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team roster for an international training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina from Feb. 3 - Feb. 12.
Anaya and the rest of the 21-player roster will play in three friendlies against A.A. Argentino Juniors (La Paternal), San Lorenzo de Almagro (Boedo) and Racing Club de Avellaneda (Avellaneda).
“Mario is a player with natural gifts and added to hard work and intelligence,” Academy Director Paul Holocher said. “He plays as a central midfielder, the base of midfield, as someone who brings balance, control and poise to our team.
“Besides his excellent overall comfort and decision-making in possession, Mario has made strides to improve his overall game, including his defending and how he organizes and leads those around him.”
This is Anaya’s first call-up to the U-16s, boasting experience with the U-14 Boy’s National team. The Livermore native recently participated in the adidas ESP match during MLS All-Star Week this past July at Avaya Stadium.
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen (Weston FC; Southwest Ranches, Fla.), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake AZ; Casa Grande, Ariz.)
DEFENDERS (5): Julian Araujo (Santa Barbara SC; Lompoc, Calif.), George Bello (Atlanta United FC; Douglasville, Ga.), John Hilton (LA Galaxy; Long Beach, Calif.), Leonardo Sepulveda (LA Galaxy; Corona, Calif.), Nathan Toledo (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Everson Amaya Mejia (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Mario Anaya (San Jose Earthquakes; Livermore, Calif.), Jordan Bender (Orlando City SC; Lake Mary, Fla.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake AZ; Eden, Utah), Cameron Duke (Sporting KC; Olathe, Kan.), Nelson Martinez Rivera (DC United; Woodbridge, Va.), Matko Miljevic (A.A. Argentinos Juniors; Buenos Aires, Argentina), Marcelo Palomino (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy, Savannah Ga.)
FORWARDS (5): Nicholas Mendonca (Clube de Regatas do Flamengo; Coconut Creek, Fla.), Benjamin Ortiz (La Roca FC; Orem, Utah), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas, Little Elm, Texas), Gabriel Segal (Bethesda-Olney; Bethesda, Md.), Jose Rivas (Weston FC; Weston, Fla.)
