Official 2009 Northern Ireland Milk Cup Web Site

The United States U-18 Men's National Team head coach Mike Matkovich has named 18 players who will travel to Northern Ireland to participate in the prestigious Milk Cup, an annual event that includes club and international-level competition, from July 22-Aug. 1.

The U.S. will play in the Elite Division of the competition against Denmark on July 27, and Germany on July 29, before a placement game on Friday, July 31. During the team's last international trip to Lisbon, Portugal, they fought for a 0-0 draw against Germany, and with the European side added as a late replacement for Sudan, the U.S. are anxious for a rematch.

Playing for the U-18 team is University of South Florida freshman-to-be Hasani Sinclair from Coral Springs, Fla. A graduate and former soccer standout at American Heritage High School, Sinclair was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009. He recorded 47 goals and 14 assists in his senior season, leading American Heritage to the Class 2A state championship. For his efforts at the end of his senior year, Sinclair was tabbed a Parade Magazine High School All-American and most recently a ESPN Rise First Team All-American.

A three-time South Florida Sun-Sentinel Small School Player of the Year, Sinclair was also named to the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy League Southeast Starting XI in 2008. 

Sinclair was a member of the U-18 National Team that won a gold medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January 2009. During that tournament in Sydney, Sinclair was one of three players to score two goals in a 14-0 rout of China in the final contest, doing so back-to-back in the 39th and 56th minute.

Sinclair was also a member of that U.S. team that player in Portugal.

The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart,Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballymena.

The Milk Cup began in 1983 with sixteen teams participating at an Under 16 (Premier) level. Motherwell F.C. from Scotland were the first winners. It was founded by Jim Weir, Victor Leonard and Bertie Peacock, one of the most famous football players from the region.

The competition was extended in 1985 when an extra age group, the Under 14 (Junior) section was introduced and again the first champions were from Scotland, as Rangers F.C. won the Milk Cup at that age level. The competition at both levels has grown in size and stature over the years, with teams increasingly travelling from all continents to compete. The Under 19 (Elite) section was introduced in 1995 with the Welsh finishing the tournament as winners. Traditionally, the finals are played at The Coleraine Showgrounds on the Friday evening.

Included in the U.S. roster are a mix of college and youth players, with one player, Gregory Garza, who is already a professional playing at Sporting CP in Portugal.

Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Justin Luthy (Boston College; Dublin, Ohio), Zachary MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (6): Chad Barson (University of Akron; Lewis Center, Ohio), Paolo Del Piccolo (Louisville; Lakewood, Colo.), Scott Prozeller (Harvard; Sudbury, Mass.), Jossimar Sanchez (Connecticut; Patterson, N.J.), Kofi Sarkodie (University of Akron; Huber Heights, Ohio), Zarek Valentin (University of Akron; Lancaster, Pa.);
MIDFIELDERS (7): Dion Acoff (Arsenal FC; Upland, Calif.), Jose Altamirano (San Diego State; San Diego, Calif.), Miles Byass (Arsenal FC; Highland, Calif.), Gregory Garza (Sporting CP; Grapevine, Texas), Nicholas Millington (Wake Forest; Raleigh, N.C.), Amobi Okugo (UCLA; Sacramento, Calif.), Harrison Petts (Camel United SC; Zionsville, Ind.)
FORWARDS (3): Will Bates (Virginia; Chester, Va.), Ryan Finley (Duke; Lumberton, N.J.), Hasani Sinclair (University of South Florida; Coral Springs, Fla.)

National Team Staff
Head Coach: Mike Matkovich (Chicago, Ill.)
Assistant Coach: Eric Yamamoto (San Jose, Calif.)
Assistant Coach: John Trask (Chicago, Ill.)
Team Doctor: Travis Hanson (Houston, Texas)
Athletic Trainer: Dan Henrichs (Chicago, Ill.)
Equipment Coordinator: Greg Pyle (Seattle, Wash.)
Team Coordinator: Rachel Grushkin (Redondo Beach, Calif.)

Release courtesy of US Soccer. USF Athletics Communications contributed to the story.