Sounders Academy prospect Azriel Gonzalez was named to the United States U-16 Boys National Team by coach Shaun Tsakaris for the IMG Cup: Boys Invitational. The final U-16 tournament of 2016, which will also feature a brief camp and a friendly against USSDA side Clearwater Chargers U-18, will take place from December 17 - 19 in in Bradenton, Fla.
In total, the group will play three competitive matches against Next Gen USA Showcase, FC Florida Prep Academy and Miramar United Elite FC in a round-robin competition.
The tournament marks Gonzalez’s third call-up to the U.S. U-16s in recent months, after participating in a training camp in September before traveling with the squad to France for the Val de Marne Tournament in October.
A promising striker with intelligent movement off the ball and an innate finishing ability, Gonzalez has been in excellent form for the Rave Green in 2016.
After helping to lead the young Sounders to the Youdan Trophy title in August with five goals in five games, Gonzalez scored on his SSFC Academy U-18 debut back in September. Since then, the 15-year old goal scorer has gone from strength strength.
Despite missing a number of games through National Team duty, Gonzalez has been a game changer for the U-16s. In fact, Gonzalez has already collected an astounding seven goals and five assists in just nine appearances for the U-16s this season. His two goals and one assist in the Sounders’ 3-1 win over Columbus Crew in the USSDA winter showcase demonstrate his wide array of attacking ability.
