Two former NCE Soccer graduates have been called up to the US Men’s Under 19s National Team Camp.

Curtis Ofori and Diego Rossi have been selected to join America’s best young talent at the first Under 19-s camp for three years.

The pair both benefited from NCE Soccer’s supplementary coaching program and have both gone onto sign pro-terms with MLS clubs New York Red Bulls II and New York City Football Club respectively.

US Head coach Marko Mitrovic selecting the talented duo to join his 34-player squad at a nine-day Under-19 training camp in Carson, California within 48 hours of being appointed to the job.

Ofori and Rossi were due to join their US teammates on Friday for the Camp which will run through until May 1st.

It is the first training camp for the Under 19s since the Covid pandemic struck in March 2020.

Terrific

NCE Soccer Technical Director John Curtis, said: “It is terrific news to learn that both Curtis and Diego have been selected for the US Under-19 squad and provides an incredible platform for them to shine.

“This is an opportunity to impress the new coaching team at the US Under-19s and I have no doubt they will do themselves, their clubs and their families proud.

“They have both applied themselves with total dedication and are working so hard to maximise their potential and it is fitting to see that effort is being recognised.

“They are both at terrific clubs and have already had their chance to shine amongst seasoned professionals and we love to keep track of their progress.

“On a personal level, having worked with the boys from such a young age, it fills me with pride to see them doing so well and know that we have played a small part in their success.”

Ofori has already represented the US Under 15s and has been making great progress since becoming the youngest player to sign pro-terms with the New York Red Bulls II.

The 16-year-old defender, originally from Hopewell Junction, has no doubts about the role NCE Soccer played in his early journey.

NCE Soccer

When he joined Red Bulls II he delivered a special message to the current NCE Soccer crop of players.

He said: “People might the journey was easy but it  took a lot of hard work and dedication from the people around me.

“My advice to others would be to work hard in everything you do and take the training at NCE program very seriously because it is a big reason of why I am where I’m at today.

“Remember to listen to the great coaches around you and know success doesn’t happen overnight. Finally, always have fun and remember the love you have for the game.”

Ofori recently returned from the 2022 Generations Adidas Cup, where he participated with the Red Bulls Academy U-17’s. He joins Nathan Worth, Jeremiah White, and Davi Alexandre, who all recently received call-ups to the USYNT U-15’s.

Diego Rossi will join his former NCE Soccer teammate at the US Under-19 camp after impressing with New York City FC in training and during  friendly games against Chicago Fire and Orlando City SC.

The 16-year-old was selected last season to join the NYFC First team for pre-season training and has been making fantastic progress, even earning a call-up to the Puerto Rican national team at U20 level.