July 29, 2010

MILWAUKEE - Gerardo Saavedra, an incoming freshman who will join the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team this fall, was selected to participate in the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team Camp.

"My experience was very good," Saavedra said. "I got to compete against some of the best players that came from Brazil, Portugal ... all over. It was a very enjoyable experience and some of the best competition I have played against. It was a highly-competitive atmosphere, so I think that helped me play at a higher level and prepare for this fall."

The domestic training camp took place in San Jose, Calif. from June 27-July 5, with a total of 24 players representing the youth, college and professional ranks. Saavedra's squad took on the San Jose Earthquakes twice during the camp and also played against two local clubs.

"Getting called up to the national team camp is a fantastic honor for UWM and for Saavedra himself," Milwaukee head coach Chris Whalley said. "We are very excited that he will be coming in and be a part of what we are building here at UWM. So we are really pleased and know that he will be in great shape after working really hard with the team in California."

The squad is approximately seven months away from the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which will serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Earl Edwards (UCLA; San Diego, Calif.), Zac MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Justin Perez (C.F. Monterrey; Sabinas, COAH Mexico)

DEFENDERS (8): Cristian Flores (C.F. Monterrey; El Cajon, Calif.), Greg Garza (Sporting CP; Grapevine, Texas), Sacir Hot (Boston College; Fair Lawn, N.J.), Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Albertson; Brentwood, N.Y.), Aubrey Perry (South Florida; Ocoee, Fla.), Gerardo Saavedra (Milwaukee; Milwaukee, Wis.), Zarek Valentin (Akron; Lancaster, Pa.), Ethan White (Maryland; Kensington, Md.)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kevyn Batista (Desportivo Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Steven Birnbaum (California; Irvine, Calif.), Victor Garza (Tigres; Edinburg, Texas), Ernest Nungaray (Monarcas Morelia; National City, Calif.), Moises Orozco (Real So Cal; Oxnard, Calif.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Roberto Romero (Cruz Azul; Pico Rivera, Calif.); Conor Shanosky (DC United, Sterling, Va.)

FORWARDS (5): Julio Cesar Castillo (C.F. Monterrey; Chula Vista, Calif.), Adam Jahn (Stanford; El Macero, Calif.), Ronald Mendrano Williams (L.D. Alajuelense; Ventura, Calif.), Adrian Ruelas (Santos Laguna; Fontana, Calif.), Omar Salgado (C.D. Guadalajara; El Paso, Texas)