The barnstorming US National Arena Soccer Team (USNAST) is back in action this week with games on Thursday at Family Arena in St. Charles, MO and Saturday at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, IA against the Mexican National Futbol Rapido Team.

The US is preparing to defend their WMF World Cup title in Tunisia this October, but has had a bumpy summer, going 2-4 on their tour. Coach Phil Salvagio’s team is 1-2 against Mexico in that stretch, but won the last meeting, 7-6, on May 13.

This weekend, the US will arguably have more firepower at their disposal than they did in recent games in Boise, ID and West Valley City, UT. Three time league MVP Kraig Chiles returns to the squad as well as 40-goal scorer Taylor Bond and Joey Tavernese, who has averaged more than a goal per game in his last three MASL seasons.

New teammates Bond, who signed this offseason with the Cedar Rapids Rampage, and regular USNAST fixture Gordy Gurson, clicked in their last game together, the MASL International Challenge, which was also played at Family Arena in June.

Also joining the roster this week is All-MASL First Team defender John Sosa, who will join 2016/17 MASL Defender of the Year Stephen Basso and Joshio Sandoval in the back.

The St. Louis Ambush, who call Family Arena home, will be represented on the USNAST roster by Corey Adamson and Richard Schmermund.

Mexico will be led by 51-goal scorer Christian Gutierrez and Luis Alonso “Negro” Sandoval, who is a former Mexican international player outdoors, and has played for several Liga MX teams including Chivas Guadalajara.

Veterans of Coach Rene Ortiz’s team include Victor Quiroz, Angel Curiel and Bogar Moreno. Jesus Flores and former Atlas goalkeeper Alan Lopez will share time in goal for Mexico.

Tickets are still available online.

August 24 at Family Arena

August 26 at US Cellular Center

USA Player Height Weight Hometown Last or Current Team GK Boris Pardo 6’0″ 190 Queens, NY San Diego Sockers GK Piotr Sliwa 6’1″ 190 Debica, Poland Florida Tropics F Kraig Chiles 5’11” 185 Poway, CA San Diego Sockers F Taylor Bond 6’2″ 200 St. Charles, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage F Joey Tavernese 5’9″ 160 Garden City, NY Syracuse Silver Knights MF Gordy Gurson 5’6″ 145 Buffalo Grove, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage MF Matt Clare 6’1″ 170 Ft. Lauderdale, FL San Diego Sockers MF Lucas Rodriguez 5’8″ 160 Buenos Aires, Argentina Kansas City Comets MF Bryan Perez 5’9″ 165 San Jose, Costa Rica Kansas City Comets MF Tony Aguilar 5’7″ 140 Hammond, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage MF Bobby Hurwitz 5’8″ 155 Rolling Meadows, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage D Stephen Basso 6’0″ 165 Columbia, MD Harrisburg Heat D John Sosa 5’9″ 175 Medellin, Colombia Kansas City Comets D Joshio Sandoval 5’8″ 152 Hammond, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage D Corey Adamson 5’7″ 155 Clearwater, FL St. Louis Ambush D Richard Schmermund 6’2″ 180 St. Louis, MO St. Louis Ambush D Derek Huffman 6’0″ 180 Elgin, IL Cedar Rapids Rampage General Manager Bernie Lilavois Head Coach Phil Salvagio Mexico Player Height Weight Hometown Last or Current Team MF Luis Alonso “Negro” Sandoval 5’9″ 145 Guadalajara Chicago Mustangs MF Angel Curiel 5’10” 145 Tulancingo Milwaukee Wave MF Brandon Escoto 5’4″ 144 Tijuana San Diego Sockers MF Christian Gutierrez 5’9″ 175 Tijuana El Paso Coyotes MF Bogar Moreno 143 Distrito Federal Chicago Mustangs D Victor Quiroz 5’7″ 149 Mexico City San Diego Sockers D Edwin Rojas 5’7″ 175 Mexico City Chicago Mustangs F Osvaldo Rojas 5’9″ 180 Tuxpan Chicago Mustangs F Alexis Camarena 5’6″ 160 Morelia Chicago Mustangs D Carlos Avina 5’8″ 155 Mexico City Chicago Mustangs GK Jesus Flores 5’10” 170 Guadalajara Chicago Mustangs GK Alan Lopez 6’2″ 181 Guadalajara Venados FC Head Coach Rene Ortiz Assistant Coach Victor Melendez

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