RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, December 10, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that U16 Academy goalkeeper, Drew Romig, has been selected to play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase Select Team game on Thursday, December 12 in Lakewood Ranch, FL.
Technical Advisors and Youth National Team coaches constructed four teams – two at the U-15/16 age group (1998-99) and two at the U-17/18 level (1996-97) – to compete against each other. Romig will represent the Richmond Kickers in the 1998 age group for the marquee game, alongside Richmond Strikers midfielder Sam Bacon.
The 15-year old goalkeeper caught the eye of U.S. technical staff, having previously attended several U.S. Boys National Team camps at the U14 level. Participating with the Kickers youth programs since U9, Romig became the youngest player in franchise history to represent the Kickers at the Academy level at age 13 in 2011.
Roster additions or changes are possible heading into the Dec. 12 Academy Select games.
2013 Development Academy Winter Showcase Select Rosters:
Academy U-15/16 (1998-99) Red Select Team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Andrew Verdi (Philadelphia Union), Seth Stiebel (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri)
DEFENDERS (4): Fuki Goto (Solar Chelsea SC), Matthew Real (Philadelphia Union), Sean O’Hearn (PA Classics), Trey Vinson (D.C. United)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Theo O’Malley (Real Colorado), Alex Soto (NJSA 04), Danny Griffin (Oakwood Soccer Club), Josh Burnett (Players Development Academy), Sebastian Padua (Chicago Fire), Suniel Veerakone (Crew Soccer Academy Wolves)
FORWARDS (5): Devyn Etling (Crew Soccer Academy), Isaiah Young (Philadelphia Union), Ivan Gutierrez (Chivas USA), Eric Matzelevich (Bethesda-Olney), Nathaniel Adamolekun (Lonestar SC Academy)
Academy U-15/16 (1998-99) Blue Select Team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Andrew Romig (Richmond Kickers), Gabriel Rosario (Carolina Rapids)
DEFENDERS (4): George Espina (Charlotte Soccer Academy), Jordi Avila (Kendall SC), Juan Riley (Weston FC), Miles Stray (Real Salt Lake AZ)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Alejandro Lopez (Santa Cruz Breakers), David Portugal (Chicago Fire), Wan Kuzain (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro), Bryant Huerta (Texans SC Houston), Orlando Lopez (Chivas USA), Sam Bacon (Richmond Strikers)
FORWARDS (4): Orrin Gaines (Lonestar SC Academy), Jaret Townsend (Real Colorado), Julian Hall (Chargers Soccer Club), Ethan Zubak (LA Galaxy)
Academy U-17/18 (1996-97) Red Select Team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Christian Herrera (Real Salt Lake AZ)
DEFENDERS (4): Alex Ramos (LA Galaxy), Willie Maddox (Vardar), Henry Martin (New York Red Bulls), Miles Robinson (FC Bolts Celtic)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire), Jackson Yueill (Minnesota Thunder Academy), Justin Stinson (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri), Dominic Jensen (Capital Area RailHawks Academy – CASL), Abuchi Obinwa (Chicago Magic PSG)
FORWARDS (5): Brendan Constantine (Oakwood Soccer Club), Eddie Venta-Yepes (New England Revolution), Ethan Lochner (New York Red Bulls), Jeremy Ebobisse (Bethesda-Olney), Ryan Sierakowski (Sockers FC)
Academy U-17/18 (1996-97) Blue Select Team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bennett Sneddon (LA Galaxy), Justin Vom Steeg (Real So Cal)
DEFENDERS (5): Austin Maloney (PA Classics), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire), Nigel Blackwood (Georgia United), Pablo Pelaez (San Diego Surf), Quentin Pearson (Colorado Rapids)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Cameron Lindley (Indiana Fire Academy), Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo), Amir Bashti (San Jose Earthquakes), Ben Swanson (Crew Soccer Academy), Tommy Madden (Bethesda-Olney)
FORWARDS (5): Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Jonathan Leal (San Diego Surf), Jorge Ruiz (LA Galaxy), Kendall Stork (Chicago Magic PSG), Nash Popovic (Vardar)
