MIAMI, Florida – This Saturday the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala kicks off with 20 teams in pursuit of becoming the top Men’s Under-17 national team in the Concacaf region.
The CMU17 has a long history of being an event where some of the region’s brightest stars have introduced themselves to the rest of the world.
However, there will be some recognizable faces who take to the field in Guatemala. Many of the players rostered for next week’s Championship got their start in Concacaf competition at the 2019 Under-13 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
Now nearly four years later, those players are ready to shine again in the CMU17.
Here are some of the players to watch at the 2023 CMU17:
Kyler Vojvodic, Canada: A product of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, Vojvodic is a FW who has a nose for goal and scored twice for Vancouver in the 2019 U13 SCCL.
Lazar Stefanovic, Canada: The left back is one of the promising players coming out of the Toronto FC Academy and already has three international games to his name.
Micah Burton, United States: Burton has emerged as one of the top attacking Academy products with MLS franchise Austin FC and represented the U.S. Under-17s last year on several occasions, scoring in games versus Uruguay and Portugal.
Stephano Carrillo, Mexico: Carrillo is a striker who hails from the famed Santos Laguna Academy and excels with his hold-up play, aerial game and finishing ability in front of net.
Claudio Montero, Costa Rica: Montero is the next player to be emerging from Costa Rican giants Alajuelense. The FW has a penchant for scoring in Concacaf action, having tallied four goals in the 2019 U13 SCCL.
Roberto Osorto, Honduras: Osorto always seems to make a difference whether it is for club or country. At the 2019 U13 SCCL, he scored for Luz y Vida and is now a member of Real Espana. With the national team, he has 11 goals in 25 games.
Axel De La Cruz, Guatemala: At the 2019 U13 SCCL, De La Cruz was a thorn in the side of opposing defenses for Comunicaciones with four goals. The FW will aim to do the same in the CMU17.
Oliver Bello, Nicaragua: Bello of Real Esteli has six goals in just five games with the national team, including three goals in CMU17 Qualifying to help Nicaragua finish atop their group and clinch a CMU17 berth.
Leonard Aviles Jr., Puerto Rico: A member of the New York Red Bulls Academy, the 17-year-old FW has five goals in four games with the Boricuas’ U17 side. Aviles also had a hat trick in an 8-0 win over Anguilla in CMU17Q.
Bladimil Jackson, Dominican Republic: Jackson led the way for the Caribbean side in CMU17Q with four goals, including a trio of scores in the 8-0 victory against Dominica. The 16-year-old Atletico Los Villanos man has played in six international matches with the Dominican Republic U15s and U17s, and scored versus Haiti at the U15 level.
Xahvi Deroza, Bermuda: Deroza of South Kent (USA) played a big role in Bermuda’s first place finish in their group at CMU17Q, scoring a hat trick against Saint Martin. Deroza will be a key part of Bermuda’s success in midfield.
Daion Swan-Desilva, Bermuda: The 16-year-old MF played in four matches during CMU17Q for the Gombey Warriors, scoring in the group finale versus Guyana.
Jade Nicolas Quinones Sanchez, Cuba: The 15-year-old FW has already demonstrated his ability in international play, scoring a goal and registering an assist in four games with Cuba.
Jordan Mangatal, Jamaica: Based at South Florida Academy, Mangatal is a talented 16-year-old who will play a vital role in the Jamaica midfield.
Willan Jaques, Guadeloupe: The midfielder just turned 17 and will have plenty of familiar faces around him in the center of the park for Les Gwada Boys, as one of seven players from Guadeloupe side Cerfa FC.
