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Though the club wants to give Efrain Alvarez as many minutes with the first team as possible, general manager Dennis de Kloese and company are cautiously optimistic about his playing time, noting the 16-year old will spend a significant chunk of 2019 with the El Tri youth teams.
True to form, the Mexican Football Federation have called up Alvarez with an eye on the CONCACAF U-17 Championship coming up in May. Marco Antonio Ruiz’s 27-player squad will train in Acapulco until Saturday before moving to Mexico City, where they will continue to prepare until April 11 when they take on Costa Rica. Players will be released to their clubs afterwards.
(As you may know, Alvarez is a dual national who can opt to play for Mexico or the United States)
#U17 | Meet the squad called up by HC Marco Antonio Ruíz to work in Acapulco and Mexico City as preparation for the @Concacaf U-17 Championship in May! ⚽ #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/0rLZocUtpN
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) April 2, 2019
The young LA Galaxy prodigy is one of three players selected from clubs outside Mexico. Also making the list is Heerenveen’s Tuen Wilke and Diego Letayf from FC Dallas.
Good luck Efrain!