Revolution Academy Goalkeeper Eliot Jones Called To U.S. Under-16 Boy’s National Team for the Torneo delle Nazioni in Grasdisca d’Isonzo, Italy.
The Revolution Academy had a rather nice surprise on Tuesday with the announcement that one of their own was being called to the U.S. Under-16 Boy’s National Team for the Torneo delle Nazioni in Grasdisca d’Isonzo, Italy.
The player who is receiving the honor of wearing the American flag on his jersey is 14-year-old goalkeeper Eliot Jones who will play in the tournament that runs from April 19th- May 2nd.
Jones is in the middle of his third season with the Revolution Academy and has made a combined 41 appearances including 32 starts for the Revs Academy. Jones has spent time at the U-19, U-17, and U-15 levels this season. The New Britain, Connecticut native is not a stranger to the U.S. Youth National Team though. This will be Jones’s fifth appearance since joining the Academy and is the only player on the squad making is U-16 Boys National Team debut in the tournament.
The U.S. has been drawn into Group A and opens tournament play against Italy on Tuesday, April 24. The team then plays Libya on Thursday, April 26 before concluding group play against Croatia on Friday, April 27.
“Any time you have the opportunity to face international competition, we look forward to it because this is the standard and the benchmark that we want to hold our players to,” U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team head coach Shaun Tsakiris said. “This will be a great test for our players. What I like about this tournament is that the teams we are facing are not only very good opponents, but they are also very different opponents, in their style, who they are and how they play. I’m excited to see how our players respond to different types of international talent.”
U.S. U-16 BNT SCHEDULE:
April 24: U-16 BNT vs. Italy; Gradisca, Italy (11:30 a.m. ET)
April 26: U-16 BNT vs. Libya; Cervignano, Italy (4:45 a.m. ET)
April 27: U-16 BNT vs. Croatia; Monfalcone, Italy (4:45 a.m. ET)
April 29 – Torneo delle Nazioni Semifinals
May 1 – Torneo delle Nazioni Final
We will keep you updated on how Jones faired in the Torneo delle Nazioni at its conclusion on May 2nd.
