A great learning experience.
That’s what Sporting KC homegrown defender Erik Palmer-Brown called his recent stint with the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team for the 2014 Copa del Atlantico. Despite losing all three games by one-goal margins, the Lee’s Summit native enjoyed the experience representing his country abroad.
VIDEO: USMNT vs. Spain
“It was a great experience,” the 16-year-old defender said upon his return to Kansas City. “It was fun getting to see the culture in Spain and having the opportunity to play against some of the top nations in the world.
“There are not many times that you get the chance to play against the Spanish national team. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we played really well as a team.”
Palmer-Brown started and played 90 minutes in all three games of the tournament. The team opened with a heart-breaking loss to Spain’s U-18 Men’s National Team, who entered the tournament having won the previous six editions. After holding the host side scoreless for 87 minutes, a defensive error cost the USMNT U-18s in the 88th minute as Spain won the opening match 1-0.
VIDEO: USMNT vs. Argentina
The U.S. followed that match with a 1-0 loss to the Argentina U-20 Men's National Team and concluded the tournament with a 3-2 loss to the Canary Islands.
“We entered every game with the mindset that we could win,” the Sporting KC homegrown defender said. “We were never intimidated, regardless of the opponent. Coming off the loss against Spain, where we felt we should have won, we felt confident going into our remaining games."
For Palmer-Brown, he will now return to Kansas City and resume training with Sporting Kansas City as well as continue his schooling.
VIDEO: USMNT vs. Canary Islands
On the international front, his next goal is to continue moving up the US Soccer ladder and work his way into the U-20 squad that will participate in the Dallas Cup Super Group in April. Palmer-Brown was invited to train with Tab Ramos' U-20 side last January and featured in a scrimmage at outside back.
"That's the goal," Palmer-Brown said of a U-20 call-up. "For now, I'm excited to be back in Kansas City and to continue training with my teammates. But I'm definitely working hard to get another call-up and to continue representing my country."
