Thursday, May 17, 2012

Union's Pfeffer and Steffen join U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team

Chester, Pa. (May 16, 2012) – Midfielder Zach Pfeffer and Philadelphia Union Academy member Zackary Steffen have been called up by the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team for the four-team 2012 Lisbon International Tournament May 23-26 in Portugal.

The squad, coached by Javier Perez travels tomorrow and will play a friendly against Sporting Lisbon on Sunday, May 19, before kicking off tournament play against Poland on Wednesday, May 23. The U.S. then faces Slovakia on May 24 and wraps up against host Portugal on May 26.

Pfeffer, one of six professionals on the 20-player roster, signed as the Union’s first ever Homegrown player in 2010 and made his first official league appearance with the Union in 2011, starting in a 1-0 victory against the Columbus Crew on September 17. Pfeffer, 17, started again in the club's regular season finale against the New York Red Bulls.

Steffen helped lead the Union U-18's to an undefeated fall season, the Academy's first full season of competition. In addition to participating in Philadelphia's academy system, Steffen plays for Youth Development Affillate FC DELCO.

No comments: