Headed to KC: Breaking Down the US U16 GNT October Roster

US Soccer has named its 24-Player roster for the U16 Girls' National Team October Training camp in Kansas City, running October 23-31st and featuring two friendly matches against England. Every player on this roster was born in 2011, and the group led by newly hired youth national team coach Becky Edwards represents the next wave of American talent on the pathway toward the full national team. Here's a closer look at every player making the trip"   [player_tooltip player_id='295783' first='Paige' last='Miles'] (Mustang)- An outstanding goalkeeper with a physical profile that immediately sets her apart. She pairs genuinely rare proprioception and athleticism with the size and presence every elite shot-stopper needs, making her a commanding figure in the box. Sharpening her distribution is the natural next step in her development, but the raw tools here are the kind you simply can't teach. She would be my guess on the starter going into camp.   Gwyneth Provost (Indy Premier SC) - Coming out of one of the Midwest's most respected clubs and one of two Indy Premier products on this roster. A two sport standout from Carmel High School, Provost also excels on the basketball court. She was also called up in the U15 cycle twice by the selection committee in previous team selections. She brings the most national team experience of the 3 goalkeepers selected.   Sophia Thompson (Florida Premier) - Depth in goal is essential at this level and Thompson provides just that. From the Girls Academy league Representing a The USA have produced 2 of the top 5 goalkeepers in the history of the sport in Hope Solo and Brianna Scurry. The way USA develops shot stoppers is different then anywhere else. To be considered as one of the top 3 in this country at this age is a special achievement for Thompson. The experience of training in a national team environment is invaluable for a player on the rise like this.   Brynn Buchanan (NASA Tophat SC) - Another Girls Academy player here out of NASA Tophat SC who continues to place players into youth national teams. Has some of the most explosive burst of speed I have ever seen from a player in this age group. That kind of recovery pace and acceleration is a game-changing weapon for a defender, allowing her to erase mistakes and shut down attacks before they develop. Raw athletic gifts like hers are exactly what the national team pathway is built to cultivate. Buchanan is a genuinely exciting prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='290422' first='Bonnie' last='Earl'] (San Diego Surf SC)- One of three San Diego Surf players on this roster, the most from any single club. Earl arrives out of Seal Beach, California. Her Inclusion reflects both her own quality and the pipeline Surf continues to produce. You won't see a Youth US national team without a Surf player on it at any level.   [player_tooltip player_id='295094' first='Erin' last='Gonzalez'] (Solar SC)- One of two players from the great state of Texas in this squad. Representing a powerhouse club Solar SC. Gonzalez brings her talents to the heart of the US back line. Earning a national team nod out of the competitive Texas landscape is a genuine achievement.   [player_tooltip player_id='315854' first='Claire' last='Hansen'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] SC) - Having one player in a family to make a national team roster is an incredible achievement having two is quite remarkable (sister of fellow USYNT player [player_tooltip player_id='147282' first='Kendra' last='Hansen']). Claire has featured across multiple U15 and U16 camps throughout the cycle the selection committee clearly thinks she has what it takes to climb high in this game. She shows a similar profile to that of her sisters insane athlete, defensive mastermind, competitive steadiness, and great at dribbling into space. Representing the respected [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] club. With her experience in the national team setup I think she is a candidate to captain this team as one of the more established pieces of this defensive group.   McKenna Kann (Michigan Hawks) - arrives from South Lyon, Michigan and the well regarded talent factory that is the Michigan Hawks. She adds Midwestern defensive steel to a deep and talented back line. This camp is her stage to prove she belongs amongst the nation's best.   Khloe Smith (VDA) - Out of Gainesville, Virginia and a product of the Virginia Development Academy whom have produced their fair share of USYNT and NWSL players over the years. Smith has worked her way into the national team setup and will look to make her mark in Kansas City. Her selection is a testament to her consistency at the club level.   Cambria Williams (Eclipse Select) - representing the state of Illinois and major ECNL power Eclipse Select one of two players from the club on this roster hailing from Glendale Heights. Eclipse Select has long been a factory for national team talent, and Williams is the latest to carry that banner. She'll be eager to seize her opportunity in the two games against England coming up.   Aniah Zembrodt (Kings Hammer FC)- Zembrodt is from Independence, Kentucky and the Kings Hammer FC program. Representing a region not always in the national spotlight at this level, by earning a spot on this roster Zembrodt is an incredible achievement. Her call-up is a well deserved reward for her development decisions and talent.   Harper St James (SC Del Sol)- from the sweltering heat of Phoenix Harper St James is a top player with exceptional versatility. She's the kind of of player that can do a job at any position. She combines 5-star athleticism with a relentless competitive streak that shows up in every phase of the game. Her blend of athleticism, fight, and clean technical ability makes her exactly the kind of modern midfielder the national team covets.   Angelica Alzugaray (Cincinnati United SC) - She has been a national team mainstay with this age group, having featured across multiple U15 and U16 camps throughout the last two cycles. A consistent presence in the midfield pool, Alzugaray brings reliability and experience to this group. An excellent passer of the ball and will break lines on the dribble as well Alzugaray gives her defense a reliable outlet to pass the ball to in midfield.   Lilia Bhuta (Century Soccer) - The top ranked player in Pennsylvania and another Girls Academy prospect on this roster. Also the sister of current Stanford captain and NWSL prospect Mia Bhuta, Lilia has a similar athletic profile of her older sister. Expect to see a technically sound midfielder with an insane engine that makes positive plays in all 3 phases of the game.   Marley Skalski (Western New York Flash)- The Florida State commit out of East Aurora, New York is a powerful and explosive athlete who is no stranger to national team camps. She looks like she's gliding through space when she's in a sprint and has very sharp change of direction as well. She uses that power to her advantage with a vicious shot using both feet. She will be a fun one to watch at this camp.   Olivia Winters (Eclipse Select) - The second Eclipse Select player on this roster. The Chicago native is fast and polished on the ball beyond her years. Extremely sharp footwork on and off the ball Winters brings Midwestern toughness to this group of players and will be determined to make an impression in Kansas City.   [player_tooltip player_id='280889' first='Alaia' last='Harrington'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']) - If I was to bet on any player in this group to represent the USA on the full national team it would be Harrington. A tall, technically magical attacker who, to my eye, plays like a female Jude Bellingham. Out of Southlake, Texas she combines her long imposing physical frame with the kind of silky technical ability and all-around game that is incredibly rare for her size.   Lyla Charlet (Richmond United SC) - out of Midlothian, Virginia Charlet brings a top goal threat to this team. A truly exceptional finisher with both feet. She plays the number 9 position with progressive runs and direct to goal dribbling. She flies around the field and presses the opposing back line like a bat out of hell. Excellent at slipping her teammates through the oppositions back line its tough to find a weakness in her game.   [player_tooltip player_id='335175' first='Kate' last='Cintron'] (San Diego Surf SC) - Completing the trio of SD Surf players on this roster Cintron brings a proven attacking pedigree to the front line, having featured in national team camps throughout the cycle. Her familiarity with the national team setup is a real asset. She's a smaller profile with truly outstanding technical skills. I'd assume she's had a ball at her feet since she could walk.   Arianna Hodge ([program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake']) - The Leander, Texas native arrives from [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] brings a shifty, pacey profile to this squad. Her close control is fantastic and can get out of even the most difficult binds occasionally having 3 or 4 defenders around her and somehow coming away with the ball closer to the oppositions goal. She brings speed and directness to this forward group. This camp is her chance to show that she can produce at a higher level.   Olivia Jones (Indy Premier SC) - The Chesterton, Indiana native is the second Indy Premier player on this roster. Earning a forward spot in a California and Texas heavy attacking group is a real statement for a player a player coming out of the midwest where the spotlight doesn't always shine as brightly. This camp will be the perfect opportunity for Jones   [player_tooltip player_id='280247' first='Michelle' last='Myers'] (Beach FC) - The Manhattan Beach native is an electric attacker with a devastating first step and top tier dribbling ability. She combines close control with the confidence to take on any defender and has the ability to score from distance. That blend of creativity off the dribble and a real goal-scoring punch makes her a nightmare matchup for any back line.   [player_tooltip player_id='316204' first='Saige' last='Scarborough'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy']) - Scarborough pairs excellent technique with the kind of quick-twitch athleticism that enables her to wriggle out of tight spaces and accelerate past defenders. That combination of close control and raw explosiveness makes her a constant handful in the final third. She is a genuinely exciting prospect with a bright future ahead.

US Soccer has named its 24-Player roster for the U16 Girls' National Team October Training camp in Kansas City, running October 23-31st and featuring two friendly matches against England. Every player on this roster was born in 2011, and the group led by newly hired youth national team coach Becky Edwards represents the next wave of American talent on the pathway toward the full national team. Here's a closer look at every player making the trip"