Gage Akalu and Nati Clarke lead USA at U-15 UEFA Development Tournament

By Sam Kovzan, 10/30/19, 11:00AM CDT

Academy forward Gage Akalu (left) and defender Nati Clarke (right)

Sporting Kansas City Academy forward Gage Akalu (above left) and defender Nati Clarke (above right) played leading roles for United States U-15 Boys’ National Team last week at the U-15 UEFA Development Tournament in Poland.

Akalu and Clarke both appeared in all three matches of the competition as the USA defeated Iceland 2-1 on Oct. 21 before taking penalty shootout losses to Poland on Oct. 23 and Russia on Oct. 25.

Akalu made full use of his lone start with two goals in a wild 3-3 draw with Poland, slotting home in the fourth minute to give the Americans a 1-0 lead and bagging a penalty kick just before halftime to put his side on top 3-2. Clarke was also instrumental, donning the captain’s armband versus Iceland and Russia and converting his penalties in dramatic shootouts against Poland and Russia.

Akalu and Clarke were among 20 players on the USA roster—all of whom were born in 2005—under serving head coach Steve Klein, the Academy Director at U.S. Soccer Development Academy club PA Classics.

USA RESULTS AT 2019 UEFA DEVELOPMENT TOURNAMENT

Match	Result	Gage Akalu	Nati Clarke
Oct. 21 vs. Iceland	W 2-1	Played 40 minutes as sub	Played all 80 minutes as captain
Oct. 23 vs. Poland	T 3-3 (L 5-6 in PK)	Scored two goals; started and played 70 minutes	Played 40 minutes as sub; converted PK
Oct. 25 vs. Russia	T 2-2 (L 1-3 in PK)	Played 40 minutes as sub	Played all 80 minutes as captain; converted PK

Akalu, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, joined the Sporting Kansas City Academy in 2017. The 14-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2019-20 season, scoring four goals in five appearances for the Sporting KC U-15s.

A native of Topeka, Kansas, Clarke has also played five matches for the Sporting KC U-15s this season as an integral member of the backline. The 14-year-old joined the Academy in 2016.

U.S. U-15 BNT ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB)

GOALKEEPERS (2): Victor Gomez (FC Dallas), Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes)

DEFENDERS (6): Edwin Avalos (Monarcas Morelia/MEX), Nati Clarke (Sporting Kansas City), Pranav DuBroff (FC Dallas), Joshua Hardin (Seattle Sounders FC), Angel Martinez (Seattle Sounders FC), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Julio Benitez (Real Salt Lake AZ), Robert Deziel (Celta Vigo/ESP), Diego Hernandez (FC Dallas), Francis Jacobs (Orange County SC), Jordan Jones (FC Dallas), Sergio Oregel (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS (6): Gage Akalu (Sporting Kansas City), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC), Italo Jenkins (Atlanta United FC), Kevin Kelley (FC Dallas), Anthony Ramirez (FC Dallas), Robert Willcot (LAFC)