U.S. Soccer Kicks Off 2026 with Under-14 Boys’ Talent Identification Mini-Camp

ATLANTA (Feb. 9, 2026) – Emphasizing its commitment to the U.S. Way philosophy, U.S. Soccer is set to conduct its inaugural regional mini-camp of 2026 for the Under-14 Boys’ Talent Identification Program. This unique event will bring together 80 promising players from the West Region, all born in 2012, for a training session at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, from February 12-16.

Overview of the Mini-Camp

The upcoming mini-camp will be led by U.S. Soccer’s Talent ID Director for Men’s Youth National Teams, Garrett Biller. He will be joined by U.S. Soccer Talent ID Managers Junior Burgos (Northwest) and Roberto Gimenez (Southwest), along with three other Regional Talent ID Managers. This collaborative effort is designed to evaluate young talent while fostering an engaging environment that encourages player development.

Participants from the West Region

The 80 players selected for this event represent a diverse array of clubs from across the West Region, including states such as Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. They are split into four sub-regional teams: Los Angeles/Las Vegas, Northern California/Utah, Northwest, and Southwest.

Future Mini-Camps

This February mini-camp is the first of three planned for the U-14 Talent Identification Program this spring. Following the West Region event, camps for the South/Southeast regions will take place in March, and another session for the Central/Northeast regions will occur in April. Both of these future events will be hosted at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Detailed Roster Breakdown

Goalkeepers (8)

• Angel Perez Figueroa (Crossfire Academy; Pasco, WA)
• Nuno Ramirez (Eastside FC; Seattle, WA)
• Brock Bahney (Lamorinda Soccer Club; Oakland, CA)
• Wyatt Graves (La Roca FC; Plain City, UT)
• Mario Villegas (Rebels Soccer Club; Long Beach, CA)
• Sean Fields (LA Galaxy; Aliso Viejo, CA)
• Ezekiel Gonzalez (Total Futbol Academy; Cerritos, CA)

Defenders (26)

The roster features standout defenders such as:

• Leonardo Almada Manica (Pateadores SC; Tustin, CA)
• Joaquin Duarte (Legends FC; Rialto, CA)
• Ricardo Esparza (LA Galaxy; Compton, CA)

Midfielders (24)

Notable midfielders include:

• Michael Agdaian (LA Galaxy; Tarzana, CA)
• Noah Angulo (Legends FC; Moreno Valley, CA)
• Ryan Brito (Albion SC San Diego; San Diego, CA)

Forwards (22)

Leading the front line are forwards like:

• Somto Chidebe (LA Galaxy; Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
• Erik Pizano Ambriz (Players SC; Las Vegas, NV)
• Thomas Puppe Jr. (LA FC; Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

Goals of the U-14 Talent Identification Program

The U-14 Talent Identification Program aims to discover and nurture top athletes in the U-14 category, serving as a foundational step toward the U-15 Boys’ National Team. The format of the mini-camp not only helps evaluate high-potential players but also introduces them to The U.S. Way philosophy focusing on performance, nutrition, rest, recovery, and self-evaluation.

Enhancing Player Development

This unique approach allows young athletes to absorb core principles that benefit their long-term development while also minimizing travel requirements. The regional mini-camp setup assists in reducing time away from homes, schools, and clubs, which is beneficial for both the players and their families.

Building a Network of Scouts

In addition to developing players, the program also strengthens U.S. Soccer’s scouting network. U.S. Soccer scouts will participate as assistant coaches for the sub-regional teams, gaining valuable experience and helping to foster relationships with clubs nationwide.

For more information on player development in U.S. Soccer, visit the official U.S. Soccer website and stay updated with the latest news in youth soccer initiatives.

This mini-camp serves as a significant step forward for U.S. Soccer in its mission to identify and cultivate young talent, enhancing the future of soccer in the United States.