Boca’s Sorrentino Heads To England via Florida
August 23, 2005
Jersey Shore Boca Super Y-League standout Joseph Sorrentino will take-up his second year as a full-time resident with the US Under-17 National Teams program later this month at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He was also named to the US Under-17 National Team that will compete in the Pepsi International Tournament in Bristol, England next week.
Boca’s Sorrentino Heads To England via Florida
Super Y-League standout selected for U-17 National Team trip also begins his second year as full-time resident at IMG Academy
TOMS RIVER, NJ (August 23, 2005) – Jersey Shore Boca Super Y-League standout Joseph Sorrentino of Hamilton, NJ will take-up his second year as a full-time resident with the US Under-17 National Teams program later this month at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
He was also named to the US Under-17 1989 National Team that will compete in the Pepsi International Tournament in Bristol, England next week.
Sorrentino is one of 40 players who arrived at the IMG Academy on Monday. The first training session is scheduled for Tuesday.
A total of 24 players, including the Boca’s Sorrentino, are returning to the residency program, while 16 players will be beginning their first semester under the instruction of Coach John Hackworth. The majority of the returning players will be vying for a spot on the US roster for the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, which will take place in Peru from Sept. 16-Oct. 2.
“This is an interesting fall semester since we retain our oldest players as they prepare for the world championship next month, while at the same time begin to assemble the new crop of players that will be beginning the first stages of the residency program,” Hackworth said. “Obviously, our main objective is to advance as far as possible in the world championship, but after the tournament the staff’s concentration will shift to developing the younger players at the highest level.”
Started in 1999, the US Soccer full-time residency program has become an important piece of the overall player development picture. Over the past six years, the Federation has doubled the number of players enrolled in the program as it continues to increase its investment in player development and provide greater opportunities for young players, expanding to 40 players two years ago.
The players attend classes at nearby Edison Academy and return to the IMG campus in the afternoon to train daily under the guidance of Hackworth, and assistant coaches Keith Fulk, Raul Diaz Arce, Tim Mulqueen and Brian Maisonneuve. With 40 players in residency, the program is able to field two full teams that train together during the week, and get the chance to compete against college and club teams on the weekends.
Sorrentino led his 2004 Boca U15 Super Y-League team to a first place finish in the SYL Mid-Atlantic Division and a trip to the Super Y-League North American Finals one year ago.
Because of national team commitments, Sorrentino saw limited action with the Boca U16 SYL team this summer. He anticipates re-joining his Boca team this November as the Boca U16s head to the Super Y-League North American Finals for a second consecutive year.
Sorrentino and the US will face England, Italy and Portugal in the four-team, round-robin tournament. The U-17 ’89s will open against Italy on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Clevendon Town Football Club, before taking on host England on Friday, Sept. 2, at Swindon Town Football Club and will finish the tournament against Portugal on Sunday, Sept. 4, at Forest Green Rovers Football Club.
With U-17 men’s coach John Hackworth preparing the US for the FIFA U-17 World Championship, assistant coaches Raul Diaz Arce and Brian Maisonneuve will direct the 18-player team during the tournament.
This is the fifth straight year that Jersey Shore Boca competed in the Super Y-League, the nation’s top elite youth soccer league.
Jersey Shore Boca has been a fixture in the soccer community since 1978 and is one of the most respected soccer clubs on the East Coast.
The Club is celebrated their 27-year anniversary in 2005.
Boca alumni include several former National and Olympic Team members as well as numerous collegiate players, coaches and former local high school standouts.
For more information about the Jersey Shore Boca Soccer Club visit the Club’s official web site at www.jerseyshoreboca.com
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