Beach FC’s Gutierrez Completes Participation in U.S. Under-16 Youth National Team Camp
September 30, 2019 (RICHMOND, VA) – In June, Beach FC Boys ECNL 03 Mauricio Gutierrez verbally committed to UCLA. In July, he hoisted the ENPL Under-17 National Championship trophy alongside teammates who were all older than him. Last week, an amazing few months continued as Gutierrez was invited into the U.S. Under-16 Youth National Team Camp held in Chula Vista, California.
Gutierrez was one of 59 players identified from US Soccer’s three main scouting regions (East, Central, and West) who came together at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista for a camp that ran from September 19-23, managed by U.S. Soccer Director of Talent Identification, Tony Lepore.
Gutierrez represented Beach FC and the Boys ECNL as one of 18 forwards that were spread amongst three teams that competed in matches against each other as well as squads from Club Tijuana and LA Galaxy over the five-day camp.
“Mauricio’s selection into the National Camp is a sign of the quality that exists in the Boys ECNL,” said Boys ECNL Commissioner Jason Kutney. “There are high-level prospects in this league and Mauricio’s identification proves these types of opportunities exist for all 90 of our member clubs.”
According to his Beach FC head coach, Ever Morataya, Gutierrez worked hard to apply lessons learned in his time training and playing with older teammates in the Beach FC environment.
“Being around older kids has helped him tremendously, mentally,” said Morataya. “Playing with the older players just pushed him to practice and play harder every session.”
A current Junior at Lawndale High School in Lawndale, CA, Gutierrez signed to play with the Beach FC 02 Boys ECNL side last July, and would spend time training with the club’s Under-18/19 team to further supplement his advanced development. As a top talent and hard-working student, Mauricio achieved a great accomplishment in verbally committing to UCLA earlier this summer.
As a young, aspiring player, this selection into the U.S. Youth National Team Camp validates the great efforts of Gutierrez to push toward his goals while also solidifying his understanding of the opportunities that exist for his Beach FC teammates.
“I have been given the opportunity to get closer to my dream,” said Gutierrez. “When I get back to my team, they should know that they can be in the same position.”
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About Boys Elite Clubs National League: Boys Elite Clubs National League (Boys ECNL) was founded to provide a top class, club-based development, training, and competition platform for youth male soccer players in the United States. The mission of the Boys ECNL is to improve the landscape for players in the United States through innovative, player-centered programming that raises standards of quality and improves the player experience in all aspects of the game
The Boys ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by PUMA North America.
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