"To represent the National Team at any level is an honor," said Pfeffer. "Having the chance to play for your country does not happen too often so you have to make the most of the opportunity. I'm very excited to get back and play with this group because we have a very talented pool of players.
"This is a very prestigious tournament that attracts some of the best countries from all over the world. It will be a great test for all of us and we will have the chance to perform on the international stage against fantastic competition."
Pfeffer has represented the United States at the U-14 and U-15 levels and has also trained at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. as part of the U.S. Soccer's U-17 Residency Program. With the U-15's, the talented midfielder traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina from May 1-10, 2010 to train and play against CA Argentino Juniors, Bolivia, Argentina and a select team of players from the Rosario region. Pfeffer was last called up by the U-17 MNT for a camp in Colombia last August.
The U.S. U-17 Men's National Team will face Portugal, host country France and Japan on April 20, April 21 and April 23, respectively, as part of the 39th edition of the tournament. On April 24 or 25, Pfeffer and the U.S. will play a placement game against a team to be determined.
Zack Steffan, a 16-year-old goalkeeper who plays for FC Delco, will also join the U-17's. Steffan was included on the Union's reserve roster for a match against the New York Red Bulls on April 10.
U.S. Under-17 MNT'95 Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Santiago Castano (NY Red Bulls; Union City, N.J.), Zack Steffen (FC Delco; Downingtown, PA)
DEFENDERS (6): Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim FC; Lancaster, PA), Dylan Greenberg (Albertson SC; Dix Hills, N.Y.), Matt Habrowski (Derby County Wolves; Bloomfield Hills, MI.), Luis Martir (Chivas Mexico; Los Angeles, Calif.), Miguel Polley (Derby County Wolves; West Bloomfield, Mich.), Robby Sagel (Downtown Rapids; Las Vegas, NV)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Jordan Allen (Empire United; Rochester, N.Y.), Marco Delgado (Cosmo Academy West; Glendora, Calif.), Nicholas Gaitan (Argentinos Juniors; Oceanside, N.Y.), Antonio Murillo (Neusport '93; Las Vegas, Nev.), Adam Najem (NY Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union; Dresher, PA)
FORWARDS (4): Paul Arriola (Arsenal FC; Chula Vista, Calif.), Nicko Corriveau (Bethesda SC; Potomac, MD), Kevin De La Torre (Chivas USA; Winchester, Calif.), Alex Muyl (Cosmos Academy East; New York, N.Y.)
(Copyright 2011 Philadelphia Union. Reprinted by permission)
