Collin Martin Called Into U.S. U-20 Camp
4/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 6, 2012
U.S. Soccer Release | TopDrawerSoccer.com Story
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CHICAGO, Ill. - Incoming Wake Forest men's soccer freshman Collin Martin has again been selected to train with the U.S. U-20 National Team, beginning Monday, April 9 in Portland, Ore. The camp will last a full week and will feature two games and two scrimmages, including a Thursday, April 12 match against the University of Portland.
"I think the first camp he was possibly a little bit shy and he didn't show what I think he can," U-20 head coach Tab Ramos told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "I had seen him play in Academy before so I know what type of aggressiveness and determination he had. When you combine that with the type of skill that he possesses, I think he has a good future... I'm hoping he'll be a big part of the team but the next six-eight months will dictate that."
Eight players in the camp come from the professional ranks, while 10 more are from collegiate teams. 24 total players were selected to train with the team and 10 of them are new during the current cycle as Ramos continues to evaluate players for the upcoming U-20 World Cup.
"We've had three camps this year and taken advantage of the opportunity to cast a wide net in evaluating the player pool," said Ramos. "This is the last time we plan on calling in a large number of new players. From here on out, we're really going to really focus in the players we have identified who we think will be competing for spots on this team moving forward."
The third-ranked player in the class of 2013 by College Soccer News and the lone high school junior to train with the U.S. Soccer U-20 squad in January, Martin will graduate from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland one year ahead of schedule and will round out the Deacs' incoming class of eight players.
A top U.S. Soccer Development Academy player for U-18 coach Nolan Sheldon at D.C. United, Martin was rated among the best 2013 prospects at his midfield position and scored 14 goals during his junior season at Bethesda-Chevy Chase on his way to First Team All-Met honors from the Washington Post.
For D.C. United, he was one of three midfielders named to the 2011 U-15/16 Development Academy Starting XI and had 13 goals in helping D.C. win the Mid-Atlantic Division. In 2011-12, Martin has four goals in eight matches with the U-17/18 team and has made appearances with the D.C. United MLS Reserve team - scoring the equalizer in a recent match against the New England Revolution first team defense.
Ramos is preparing the squad for the 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup qualifying tournament, which will likely begin in early 2013. The World Cup will be held in Turkey in 2013, and every player on the roster is age-eligible for the competition.
