FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 26, 2017)- North Texas Soccer players Blaine Ferri and Bryan Reynolds Jr. are representing the Under-17 United States Youth National Team at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is currently taking place in India.
The United States went 2-1 in the group stage with wins over host India and Ghana before falling to Colombia in the final match. The United States advanced to the quarterfinals after a 5-0 win over Paraguay. Ferri has started in all three wins and came on as a substitute in the final group play match. Both Ferri and Reynolds were on the U-17 USMNT that placed second in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championships earlier this year.
Ferri has started seven of the 10 matches the U-17 USMNT has played heading into the World Cup. Ferri notched a goal and in assist on the team’s 4-3 win over Mexico in the second match of the CONCACAF Championships. Ferri has also recorded assists against Iceland and Honduras in 2017. Ferri, a Southlake, Texas native, plays his youth soccer with Solar Soccer Club, where he reached the semifinals of the 2013 US Youth Soccer North Texas State Cup. In addition, Ferri competed in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2011-2013 and participated in US Youth Soccer Region III ODP Camps.
Bryan Reynolds Jr. became the 17th homegrown player for FC Dallas in November of 2016 – and was one of the youngest signed players ever at age 15. Reynolds appeared in three matches so far this year of the U-17 USMNT, including one start. Reynolds has been efficient in those three matches with the forward scoring a goal against Cuba and recording an assist against El Salvador. The Little Elm, Texas native played his youth soccer with Samba FC before playing in the FC Dallas youth system, reaching the 2013 North Texas Soccer State Cup semifinals.