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Rough Riders youth players take center stage on National Team

October 13, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


Plainview, NY; October 13, 2005 - After announcing the qualification of seven Super Y-League Teams to the North American Finals, the Rough Riders organization is once again celebrating their youth program with the announcement of two players being appointed to the United States National Soccer Team.

Alex Bramell and Briana Garcia, members of the New York Rough Riders Boys under 13 and Girls under 16 squads, were selected from pools of players to represent the United States on the National Team. Both attended invitation only camps created by the United States Soccer Association to gather talent from around the country and choose the best to represent the US in various international competitions.

Bramell, also a member of B.W. Gottschee's Under 14 team, has been playing since he was five years old. This was his first opportunity to attend the Identification Camp, located in Middlesex, MA and run during the week of July 31-Aug. 6. Alex was selected from a pool of 120 players to participate in the camp. The Under 14 program has boasted some impressive talent that has come through its ranks, including Bobby Convey and Freddy Adu.

This achievement is particularly special from Bramell, who said that he was more excited "because I achieved it by myself instead of with a team." He will travel with the team to Texas and possibly Mexico in November, as well as rejoin the New York Rough Riders when they travel to Tampa, FL for the Super Y-League Championships.

Garcia was also selected for the National squad on her first try. "I played for the Lady Riders for a year, and then took a couple of years off," she said. Garcia also splits her time as a member of the East Meadow Dynamite U16 and St. Anthony's High School. With college just around the corner, Briana has also started to think about her collegiate future, with schools like the University of Connecticut and St. John's ranked among her favorites.

Both Rough Riders see soccer as an integral part of their future. Garcia hopes to play in a women's professional league similar to the now defunct WUSA, although she doesn't rule out trying to make her mark on the European market. "I liked going out to watch the WUSA," she said. "It was something that was really exciting to watch, and since we had the New York Power I could go and watch them play all the time. But it would be such an amazing thing being in another country and getting to play." Bramell also hasn't ruled out an attempt at European soccer greatness, saying, "I'd love to get to play in Europe sometime when I get older."

For more information about the Rough Riders Super Y-League program, visit our web site at www.liroughriders.com or call Matt Chulis at (516) 622-3900 ext. 16.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 13, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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