Gator sophomore Parker Roberts (second row, second from left) is heading to Papua New Guinea for next month's FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Parker Roberts Named to U.S. Team for 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Thursday, October 13, 2016 | Soccer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida sophomore Parker Roberts is part of the U.S. Soccer National Team roster for the 2016 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which starts exactly a month from now in Papua New Guinea. This is the eighth U-20 World Cup, which started in 2002 and is held every two years. The U.S. won the title in 2002, 2008 and 2012.
U.S. under-20 women's national team coach Michelle French officially named the 21-team roster today after the completion of the most recent training camp in in Florida. The USA defeated the Venezuela U-20 Women's National Team twice, by 6-2 and 5-1 scores. Roberts started Monday's 5-1 win, assisting on the U.S.'s first goal.
Group Play
The U.S. is in Group C and opens the tournament on Monday, Nov. 14 against France. Then the U.S. faces New Zealand on Thursday, Nov. 17 and finishes the group against Ghana on Monday, Nov. 21.
The USA will play its first two group games at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and its third group game at National Football Stadium. Both stadiums are located in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea. All the matches will be broadcast on the FOX family of networks.
Hear from Parker Roberts:
"I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here. I am so very, very excited and honored to be able to have this opportunity." – Gator sophomore and U.S. Under-20 National Team member Parker Roberts
Coach French Says:
"Throughout this cycle, we have gone through an extensive process evaluating a number of players in various environments," French said. "The final World Cup roster is comprised of players that provide great depth and versatility in every position. The way in which players competed to be a part of the roster, their commitment to be a part of this cycle, and their overall dedication to each other, has been tremendous. This group of players is highly motivated which has proven to be the impetus for their individual and collective development, particularly over the last six months." – U.S. Under-20 National Team Coach Michelle French
"The experience and knowledge this group of players will gain through their participation in the U-20 World Cup is extremely valuable. Players have two opportunities at the youth level to try to qualify and compete in a World Cup, so being a part of this roster is massive. The more exposure our Youth National Team players can get to major world events, the heightened physical and emotional demands, and top international competition, the more the players will be prepared moving forward in their respective National Team careers." – U.S. Under-20 National Team Coach Michelle French
Parker Roberts with U.S. U-20 Team:
Joined the Gator squad in summer of 2016 after playing her freshman season at Kansas in 2015…Will redshirt the 2016 collegiate season due to U.S Under-20 team commitments…2015 Big 12 All-Freshman team…Picked up Big 12 Freshman of the Week award on Sept. 2, 2015 after a goal and assist in 2-1 win versus SMU…Started 19 of 20 matches played at KU, scoring three goals (all game-winners) and an assist.
Owns 15 caps (international appearances) with 10 starts with U.S. U20 National Team…Part of U.S. team that posted a 3-0 record at 2015 U20 10 Nations Tournament (wins over Sweden, Norway and Netherlands)…Also part of U.S. U20 roster at 2015 Four Nations Tournament…Started four of the five matches (including the championship match win) played at the CONCACAF U20 World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Pedro Sulas, Honduras, last December – U.S. won tournament and advances to the 2016 U20 World Cup.
Who is in the World Cup?
The 16 nations competing in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup are: host Papua New Guinea, defending U-20 World Cup champion Germany, Brazil, Canada; France, Ghana, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, Sweden, USA and Venezuela.
U.S. under-20 women's national team coach Michelle French officially named the 21-team roster today after the completion of the most recent training camp in in Florida. The USA defeated the Venezuela U-20 Women's National Team twice, by 6-2 and 5-1 scores. Roberts started Monday's 5-1 win, assisting on the U.S.'s first goal.
Group Play
The U.S. is in Group C and opens the tournament on Monday, Nov. 14 against France. Then the U.S. faces New Zealand on Thursday, Nov. 17 and finishes the group against Ghana on Monday, Nov. 21.
The USA will play its first two group games at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and its third group game at National Football Stadium. Both stadiums are located in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea. All the matches will be broadcast on the FOX family of networks.
Hear from Parker Roberts:
"I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here. I am so very, very excited and honored to be able to have this opportunity." – Gator sophomore and U.S. Under-20 National Team member Parker Roberts
Coach French Says:
"Throughout this cycle, we have gone through an extensive process evaluating a number of players in various environments," French said. "The final World Cup roster is comprised of players that provide great depth and versatility in every position. The way in which players competed to be a part of the roster, their commitment to be a part of this cycle, and their overall dedication to each other, has been tremendous. This group of players is highly motivated which has proven to be the impetus for their individual and collective development, particularly over the last six months." – U.S. Under-20 National Team Coach Michelle French
"The experience and knowledge this group of players will gain through their participation in the U-20 World Cup is extremely valuable. Players have two opportunities at the youth level to try to qualify and compete in a World Cup, so being a part of this roster is massive. The more exposure our Youth National Team players can get to major world events, the heightened physical and emotional demands, and top international competition, the more the players will be prepared moving forward in their respective National Team careers." – U.S. Under-20 National Team Coach Michelle French
Parker Roberts with U.S. U-20 Team:
Joined the Gator squad in summer of 2016 after playing her freshman season at Kansas in 2015…Will redshirt the 2016 collegiate season due to U.S Under-20 team commitments…2015 Big 12 All-Freshman team…Picked up Big 12 Freshman of the Week award on Sept. 2, 2015 after a goal and assist in 2-1 win versus SMU…Started 19 of 20 matches played at KU, scoring three goals (all game-winners) and an assist.
Owns 15 caps (international appearances) with 10 starts with U.S. U20 National Team…Part of U.S. team that posted a 3-0 record at 2015 U20 10 Nations Tournament (wins over Sweden, Norway and Netherlands)…Also part of U.S. U20 roster at 2015 Four Nations Tournament…Started four of the five matches (including the championship match win) played at the CONCACAF U20 World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Pedro Sulas, Honduras, last December – U.S. won tournament and advances to the 2016 U20 World Cup.
Who is in the World Cup?
The 16 nations competing in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup are: host Papua New Guinea, defending U-20 World Cup champion Germany, Brazil, Canada; France, Ghana, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, Sweden, USA and Venezuela.
| U.S. U-20 WNT Roster by Position: GOALKEEPERS (3): Rose Chandler (Penn State; Atlanta, Ga.), Brooke Heinsohn (New England FC; Norfolk, Mass.), Casey Murphy (Rutgers; Bridgewater, N.J.) DEFENDERS (7): Madeline Elliston (Penn State; Omaha, Neb.), Emily Fox (FC Virginia; Ashburn, Va.), Sabrina Flores (Notre Dame; Livingston, N.J.), Ellie Jean (Penn State; Coventry, Conn.), Natalie Jacobs (Notre Dame; Coto de Caza, Calif.), Taylor Otto (CASL; Apex, N.C.), Kaleigh Riehl (Penn State; Fairfax Station, Va.) MIDFIELDERS (7): Marley Canales (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Katie Cousins (Tennessee; Forest, Va.), Savannah DeMelo (Beach FC; Bellflower, Calif.), Kelcie Hedge (Washington; Post Falls, Idaho), Emily Ogle (Penn State; Strongsville, Ohio), Courtney Petersen (Virginia; Canton, Mich.), Parker Roberts (Florida; Leawood, Kansas) FORWARDS (4): Ashley Sanchez (So Cal Blues: Monrovia, Calif.), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Jessie Scarpa (North Carolina; Lakeland, Fla.), Ally Watt (Texas A&M; Colorado Springs, Colo.) Head Coach: Michelle French |
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