Cabrera Takes Over U-17 Team

Colombian Veteran Replaces Hackworth

October 26, 2007

CHICAGO — Colombian World Cup veteran Wilmer Cabrera was named head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team and head of the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program, both positions formerly occupied by the recently promoted John Hackworth.

The former Colombian international is a veteran of two FIFA World Cups, being named to the roster in 1990 and playing in three matches in France in 1998. Cabrera has coached at the U-17/18 level at the prestigious B/W Gottschee in Ridgewood, N.Y., one of 62 clubs chosen as an inaugural member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, since 2005.

"Wilmer is going to be a great addition to all of our player development initiatives,” US Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement. “He has played at the highest level of the sport and will bring a unique perspective to our programs. He has been very involved in our youth national teams across the past year, and has done the work at the grassroots since relocating to the United States that make him an ideal candidate.”

Cabrera, who earned his USSF A Coaching License in 2005, has been a member of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team staff since January of 2007, serving as an assistant coach under Bob Jenkins. He has been a part of a number of camps, including trips to Mexico, Portugal and Japan earlier this year.

"I know the system, and I know our youth programs very well,” Cabrera said. “And this is a beautiful challenge for me and a great responsibility. I am very much looking forward to contributing to the developmental environment that is growing in the United States for youth players.”

Cabrera, 40, will oversee U.S. Soccer’s U-17 Residency Program from Bradenton, Fla., where 40 of the country’s elite players reside year-round and train in a professional environment to help them develop and climb the ladder in the men's national program. Since the launch of the U-17 Residency Program in 1999, the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team is the only team in the world to have qualified for every World Cup at that age level, earning one fourth-place and two fifth-place finishes in five World Cup cycles.

U.S. Soccer Notes:

Gulati also announced that U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen’s contract has been extended through the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup cycle.

Rongen led the Under-20 team in their exciting quarterfinal run in 2007 World Cup in Canada. He was also at the helm in the 2003 tournament where the U.S. finished in fifth place.

“I am excited to be continuing with the Under-20 team,” said Rongen. “I want to thank the Federation for the opportunity to build on the success we have had in the past few years, and I look forward to moving on with the promising young players who will be working toward the 2009 U-20 World Cup.”

Rongen will begin the two-year cycle by leading an Under-18 team in the Limoges Tournament in France in late October. The 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup will be held in Egypt.

"Having Thomas back on board and having Wilmer join our Youth National Team staff is great for our program," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. "It is very clear in the appointments that have been made this week that the focus within our Youth National Teams is about player development. It is important for us moving forward to continue to connect all of our programs, from the Development Academy through to the U.S. National Team."

Return from Cabrera Takes Over U-17 Team to US National Teams

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