Sporting Kansas City Under-14 Academy player Colin Innes returned from Italy this week following his participation with US Club Soccer's id2 National Selection International Tour. The Olathe, Kan. native was one of 18 players in his age group to be selected for the 12-day trip abroad in which the team visited three cities and played four opponents after arriving in Florence.
Led by head coach Gerry McKeown and accompanied by U.S. Soccer scout Tony Meola, the id2 NSIT team went unbeaten with victories over the Giovanissimi Regionali squads of Siena (7-0), Fiorentina (3-1) and Juventus (2-0) to go along with a scoreless draw against their youth counterparts from Inter Milan. Innes tallied an assist in the opening game on a 37th minute goal by Valentino Ambrosio (New York Red Bulls).
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In addition to the match competition and sightseeing opportunities, the group was provided one-of-a-kind experiences throughout the trip including a meet and a greet with Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong and tickets to a Serie A match between Lazio and Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi Stadium.
"We got to train at Fiorentina's practice facility, which was extremely nice," Innes said.
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The id2 National Selection International Tour is the final programming element of the id2 Program cycle for boys born in 2000. The id2 Program was established in 2004 and serves as an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and U.S. Soccer Federation. This year's international trip marked the fifth consecutive year for the id2 National Selection International Tour.
