Sunday, Sporting Kansas City Academy defender Ramiz Hamouda and the U.S. Under-15 Men's Youth National Team took home the Concacaf Boy's U-15 League A Championship, sinking Mexico 4-2 in the final at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Hamouda and the USYNT cruised through the competition, going undefeated and outscoring opponents by a combined 26-5.
2023 CONCACAF BOYS’ U-15 CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB)
GOALKEEPERS (2): William Mackay (Real Salt Lake), Owen Pratt (LA Galaxy)
DEFENDERS (6): Miguel Alvardo (Colorado Rapids), Sebastian Chavez (New York City FC), Pedro Guimares (LAFC), Ramiz Hamouda (Sporting Kansas City), Adrian Sanders (LAFC), Juan Villa (Real Salt Lake)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Peter Doran (Philadelphia Union), Luca Moisa (Real Salt Lake), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Jude Terry (LAFC), Isaac Tortola (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (5): Chase Adams (Columbus Crew), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Jamir Johnson (Philadelphia Union), Omar Marquez (Real Salt Lake), Tanner Rosborough (New York Red Bulls)
Joining a roster of 18 fellow MLS NEXT players, Hamouda started in four of the six contests, including Sunday's final against Mexico, donning the captain's armband in the team's 11-0 win over Cuba in the second group stage match. The massive victory was proceeded by a 3-2 triumph over Qatar in the group stage opener. With a spot in the knockouts all but secure, the boys capped off the group stage with a three-goal clean sheet against Haiti.Â
In the quarterfinals of the competition, Hamouda and the U-15s took down Guatemala in a dominant 4-1 thrashing. Following that, they played their tightest match of the competition. The USYNT were tested in a rematch with Haiti in the semifinals, prevailing 1-0, and punching their ticket into the finals where they faced their rivals to the South, Mexico.
With Hamouda in the starting XI again, the Stars and Stripes jumped out to a two-goal, first-half lead before adding a third early in the second. Mexico pulled one back, but the US responded with an insurance goal to all but put the match on ice. El Tri added a second, but it was not enough to overcome the substantial deficit and the USYNT claimed the Concacaf League A crown.
Hamouda, a 14-year-old native of Lincoln, Nebraska, joined the Sporting KC Academy in 2020 and made a quick impact by helping the U-14s win the 2021 US Youth Futsal National Championship. The defender rose to the U-15 ranks in 2022, notably scoring goals in MLS NEXT action against Texas rivals Solar SC and Austin FC. He attended his first USYNT training camp in January alongside fellow SKC Academy player Jack Kortkamp and will be rising to the U-17 level this fall.Â
He will now rejoin the Sporting KC Academy for the preseason which kicked off in early August as the teams prepare for the 2023-24 Academy season. Fans can follow along with everything happening in the Academy by following @SKCAcadmey on Twitter and Instagram or by checking SportingKCAcademy.com.
