Swope Park Rangers midfielder and Sporting KC Academy graduate Felipe Hernandez has been called in to the U.S. Under-20 National Team. Hernandez and the U.S. U-20s will travel to London, England for a weeklong camp from April 3-10. The inclusion marks Hernandez’s first with the U.S. U-20s as the side continues preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May.
Hernandez has been a staple of the U.S. Under-19 National Team since August 2016, taking part in two training camps and one tournament in late 2016 before being joined by fellow SPR midfielder Will Little for a camp in February.
Hernandez is the second member of the club to represent the U.S. U-20s this year, joining Sporting KC Homegrown player Erik Palmer-Brown, who captained the side to CONCACAF Championship glory and qualification for the U-20 World Cup.
The 18-year-old has started each of the Rangers’ opening two games of the 2017 USL season, tying the team-lead with four shots and placing second on the team with three chances created as SPR topped OKC Energy FC and Portland Timbers 2 for a perfect start to their Western Conference title defense.
The Nashville, Tenn. native starred for the Sporting KC Academy for two and a half years before joining the Rangers on a full USL contract ahead of the 2017 season.
U.S. U-20 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown University; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.), Justin Vom Steeg (Fortuna Dusseldorf; Santa Barbara, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (8): Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion F.C.; Allentown, Pa.), Marcello Borges (University of Michigan; Kearny, N.J.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Casa Grande, Ariz.), John Nelson (Internationals SC; Medina, OH), Keaton Parks (Plano, Texas; Unattached), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; Arlington, Mass.), Brandon Terwege (FC Dallas; Highland Village, Texas)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Mukwelle Akale (Villarreal CF; Minneapolis, Minn.), Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire; Bridgeview, IL), Jeremiah Gutjahr (Indiana University; Bloomington, IN), Felipe Hernandez (Swope Park Rangers; Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; Bridgeview, Ill.), James Murphy (Sheffield Wednesday F.C.; Scotch Plains, N.J.), Yosef Samuel (Bethlehem Steel FC; Atlanta, Ga.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.)
FORWARDS (6): Sebastien Des Pres (Blackpool FC; San Diego, Calif.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC, Tucker, Ga.), Stephen Paybe (Estoril Praia; Birmingham, Ala.), Emmanuel Sabbi (UD Las Palmas; Columbus, OH), Mason Toye (PDA, South Orange, N.J.)
