USA in the COPA CHIVAS[Mexico]

[Frank Cunha]

Three Miami FC Kendall players selected

for the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team



Franklin Blaise, Cristian Gonzalez and Pablo Punyed

have been named to the final 20-player roster



Miami, January 25, 2008 – Three Miami FC Kendall players have been selected to play for the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team under head coach Thomas Rongen. Franklin Blaise, Cristian Gonzalez and Pablo Punyed have been named to the final 20-player roster that will travel to the Copa Chivas Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2. “Our players are doing very well and we are expecting them to deliver an outstanding presence in this competition,” said Victor Pastora, Director of Kendall Soccer and Assistant Coach for Miami FC.



The U.S. will kick off the tournament against America (MEX) tomorrow, Jan. 26. The following matches in group play will be against Tecos (MEX) on Jan. 27, Locomotiv Moscow (RUS) on Jan. 28, Estudiantes de la Plata (ARG) on Jan. 29, and Santos (MEX) on Jan. 30. If the U.S. advances they could move on to the quarterfinals (Jan. 31). The semifinals will be played on Feb. 1and the final on Feb. 2.



In addition, three players from the Miami FC Kendall U-16 team – Andrew Quintana, David Sarabia and Christian Ramos - participated in a training camp for the U-18 U.S. Men’s National Team that took place in Bradenton, FL. Victor Pastora also participated in the event as an assistant coach. He reflected on the experience by saying: “This camp was a great experience for the kids to gauge their skills and evaluate parts of their game on which they can improve. Overall they are doing very well.”