by Deny Gallagher

On Thursday, the United States unveiled its roster for the 2015 U-17 World Cup — and the Tri-State area was well represented.

The 21-man roster has several tie-ins to the local market, including a pair of Cosmos and Red Bulls prospects. Manager Richie Williams has called in four players from Pennsylvania, two from New York, and two players from New Jersey.

However, the ties don’t stop with the homegrown talent. The two headliners of local interest are Haji Wright and Alexis Velela of the New York Cosmos. Much has been made about the Cosmos’ Haji Wright whose signing with the club made global headlines. The striker has made three appearances for the Cosmos first team, tallying one assist.

The Red Bulls also have two players on the squad in Tyler Adams of USL’s New York Red Bulls II team and Matthew Olosunde of the Academy. The highly-touted Adams has made nine starts and 11 appearances for NYRBII this season.

Bernardsville, NJ based club Players Development Academy is also well represented with two players of their own earning call-ups.

The side features 20 players from the team that qualified for the tournament against Jamaica last March, including leading goal scorer Josh Perez.

Things get underway for the U-17’s in Chile on October 17th, when they take on Nigeria at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos. Kickoff for the side’s opening game of U-17 World Cup is slated for 4 PM ET.

Detailed U.S. Roster for U-17 World Cup

GOALKEEPERS: Eric Lopez (LA Galaxy II; Westminster, Calif.), William Pulisic (Richmond United; Mechanicsville, Va.), Kevin Silva (Players Development Academy; Bethlehem, Pa.)

DEFENDERS: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls II; Wappinger Falls, N.Y.),Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy Academy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion; Allentown, Penn.), Tanner Dieterich (Real Salt Lake Academy; Nashville, Tenn.), John Nelson (Internationals; Medina, Ohio), Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union Academy; Media, Pa.), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos; San Diego, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS: Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal; Palmdale, Calif.), Luca de la Torre (Fulham F.C. San Diego, Calif.), Thomas McCabe (Players Development Academy; South Orange, N.J.), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund; Hershey, Pa.), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas; El Paso, Tex.)

FORWARDS: Pierre da Silva (Orlando City SC Academy; Port Chester, N.Y.), Joe Gallardo (C.F. Monterrey; San Diego, Calif.), Josh Perez (Unattached; La Habra, Calif.), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Haji Wright (New York Cosmos; Los Angeles, Calif.)