RICHMOND, Va. (January 16, 2024) - Twelve current ECNL players headline Puerto Rico's U17 Youth National Team roster, which will host Group A of the first round of the 2025 CONCACAF U17 Women's World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the growing impact of ECNL players on the international stage.
Camila Adame (Florida Elite Soccer Academy), Alanyss Cabrera (Sunrise Surf), Paige Foye (PDA Blue), Gabriella Garnett (Atlanta Fire United), Sofia Gonzalez (Great Falls Reston), Zariah Kern (Orlando City Seminole), Victoria Moore (Florida Kraze Krush), Sandra O'Neill (PDA Blue), Michaela Poidomani (FC Stars), Jaeda Russell (Florida Premier), Adelina Torres (Florida Kraze Krush), and Amanda Vega (Orlando City Seminole) will all feature for Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF qualifiers from January 27-31.
Puerto Rico will take on Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with a chance to advance to the CONCACAF U17 Women's Qualifiers Final Round this spring, where four teams will qualify for this fall's FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
Heading into 2025, the ECNL Heritage Project now has more than 1,250 players in its database, with connections to 34 different international federations. Of those players, 49 are eligible to play for Puerto Rico.
"The Heritage Project has been instrumental over the past 12 months in providing opportunities for players that might have otherwise been overlooked," said Pat McStay, Director of the ECNL Heritage Project. "I am eagerly anticipating the advancements and successes that year two will bring."
The upcoming CONCACAF qualifiers are just another example of the growing opportunities for ECNL athletes in Puerto Rico. In last year's inaugural CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, Puerto Rico had the third most ECNL alumni on their roster, with 10 players, behind only the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Puerto Rico Sporting Director Daniel Sellitti believes the Heritage Project is providing an incredible opportunity for so many dual-national players to get to experience international competition.
"As Sporting Director of Puerto Rico, I've seen first-hand the benefits of the ECNL Heritage Project that Pat and his team have pioneered," Sellitti said. "This initiative has provided a fantastic opportunity for dual-national players to experience international football, and it's been incredible to witness the impact it's had on youth players being called into Puerto Rico National Team Camps. I look forward to seeing this project continue to grow and provide more pathways for players worldwide."
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation's leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
www.TheECNL.com
