SEATTLE, WASH. – U.S. Under-17 Men’s Youth National Team Head Coach Gonzalo Segares today announced the 21 players that will represent the United States at FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023TM, with Sounders FC defender Stuart Hawkins named to the roster. Hawkins is selected for the global tournament after representing the United States at both the U-16 and U-17 levels, with the competition running from November 10 – December 2 in Indonesia.
“We are so happy for Stuart to be representing us in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia,” said Sounders FC Vice President of Player Development Henry Brauner. “Since joining the development pathway at age 12, Stuart has worked tirelessly at his craft, and we have been thrilled to watch him progress into the professional ranks through Tacoma Defiance and now to the First Team. I would like to thank all the development side coaches that have guided him to this point, and we are excited to watch his continued growth. We believe that when our best players are also our best people then we have something unique, and Stuart fits that mold.”
Hawkins, 17, signed with Sounders FC as a Homegrown Player on September 13, becoming the 23rd Homegrown signing in the team’s history following two successful seasons with Tacoma Defiance. The Fox Island native joined the Sounders FC Academy via the Sounders Discovery Program at age 12, and was named to both the 2022 and 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star rosters. He has represented the United States at both the U-16 and U-17 levels, most recently receiving a call-up in September to the U-17s for a tournament in the Czech Republic. Hawkins was notably named Most Valuable Player of the 2022 U-17 Generation Adidas Cup, helping lead the Sounders FC Academy to its second consecutive title.
“Congratulations to Stuart, a player who has worked hard here at all levels of the club and earned this opportunity,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “We’ve witnessed his growth first-hand and have seen him excel at both the local and international levels. I cannot think of a more deserving player to represent our club at this global stage.”
The United States kicks off Group E play on Sunday, November 12 against Korea Republic (5:00 a.m. PT), takes on Burkina Faso on Wednesday, November 15 (2:00 a.m. PT) and finishes the Group Stage vs. France on Saturday, November 18 (5:00 a.m. PT). All three matches are being played at Jakarta International Stadium in Jakarta and shown on FOX Sports and Telemundo platforms.
Following a 2-0 win over St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday to end the regular season, Seattle Sounders FC takes on FC Dallas in the first match of the best-of-three Round One series on Monday, October 30 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (6:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV – Watch Free, FS1, 950 KJR AM, SiriusXM FC 157, El Rey 1360 AM).
