New York City FC’s promising youngster, James Sands, made the United States’ under-23 roster for the first time as a 19-year-old.
A bit of good news for the New York City FC fans after their aching playoffs exit on Oct. 23 to Toronto F.C. The club’s promising youngster, James Sands, was called on the United States under-23 men’s national team for the first time as a 19-year-old.
Sands is the fourth-youngest player USMNT U-23 head coach, Jason Kreis, called for the United International Football Festival, a tournament served as preparation for the Olympic qualifiers.
The Americans will play Brazil on Nov. 14 in the UIFF followed by either Argentina or Chile in the third-place match or the final.
The last time Sands played for the U.S. was in 2017 for the U-17 squad. He made the CONCACAF Under-17 Team of the Tournament. The New York native tallied the lone goal of his young career in the CONCACAF U-17 tournament.
At the domestic level, NYCFC topped the Eastern Conference standings; Sands played a huge role in the club’s successful regular season, starting 18 games.
The 19-year-old’s teammates, Joe Scally, recently represented the U.S. at the U-17 World Cup and Valentin Castellanos was called on Argentina’s U-23 roster for their fixtures in November.
On a sad note, NYCFC midfielder Keaton Parks wasn’t called on for the U.S. U-23 squad nor for the senior team’s upcoming matches.
After the UIFF tournament, the U.S. will take part in the Olympic qualifiers from March 20 to April 1.
