Sporting Kansas City Academy forward Maxi Rugova (pictured above) and midfielder Grayson Barber have joined a U.S. U-17 Men's National Team training camp that began this weekend and runs through Sunday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Rugova and Barber have starred for the Sporting KC U-16s during the 2015-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, earning training stints with the Swope Park Rangers in recent weeks. The U-16s are currently third in the Frontier Division standings and well-positioned to qualify for the USSDA Playoffs next month in Frisco, Texas.
Rugova leads the U-16s with 10 goals in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and also scored three times at the 2016 Generation adidas Cup in March. In 2015, Rugova helped the Sporting KC U-15s win the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship, earning a spot on the tournament's Best XI. He was also a member of the first-ever U-14 U.S. Youth Futsal National Team, notching seven goals for the team.
A native of Blythewood, South Carolina, Barber moved to Kansas City last August and has scored seven goals in 16 league appearances for the U-16s. He added three goals at the Generation adidas Cup as Sporting KC competed against the best youth clubs from across the nation.
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