PITTSBURGH (March 10, 2017) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy goalkeeper Dane Jacomen is presently participating in the U.S. Under-16 Boy’s National Team Camp (BNT) that began on March 5 and concludes on March 13.
Jacomen has been a member of the Hounds Academy since 2014, competing under head coach Niko Katic on the 2000 RDA Boys team.
“We are extremely proud of Dane in earning the right to compete amongst the best in the country,” said Academy Director Jason Kutney. “This is a major step forward for the boys game in Western Pennsylvania and we are happy to contribute to the overall mission.”
Announced by U.S. Soccer earlier this month, Jacomen was one of 24 players invited to Bradenton, Florida, for camp by U-16 head coach Shaun Tsakiris. The camp begins preparations for the U-16 BNT’s upcoming Mondial Minimes Tournament in Montaigu, France set to take place from April 11-17.
Hounds goalkeeping coach and Goalkeeper Academy Director Hunter Gilstrap said the invite is well deserved.
“This national team camp is a huge accomplishment for Dane. He’s been putting in the work for years and now he’s been given an opportunity to see what the next level looks like,” said Gilstrap, who has worked with Jacomen since he joined the Academy. “I’m confident he’ll rise to the occasion. We train all of our players with the goal being to prepare them for a future as a professional. We’ve all felt that Dane’s been on this path for some time, and we’re excited that he’s being rewarded with this call up.”
Currently a junior at Taylor Allderdice High School, Jacomen has started at keeper for the Dragons since his freshman year. This past season saw him earn First Team All-Conference and All-WPIAL honors, as he helped his squad to the quarterfinals of the 4A Soccer Championship.
Jacomen’s latest recognition at the national level adds to a growing list of accolades. The keeper recently trained in Lakewood Ranch, Florida this past December as a part of the 2001 Olympic Development Program Boys in the US Youth Soccer ODP Nike Friendlies. He also went on trial in April of last year for D.C. United’s Academy residential program while still a member of the Hounds U-15 squad.
For more information on the U-16 training camp, visit USsoccer.com.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) seeks to identify, improve, and advance elite youth soccer players through the creation of a multi-faceted platform under the Riverhounds professional team. Players progress through a system focused upon individual player development and advancement. The club model enables the Riverhounds organization to design and manage year-round programming for highly committed players seeking advancement in the game of soccer. Through the commitment of ownership and management, and with the generous support of corporate partners, the Riverhounds provide professional level resources to all RDA players. These resources are exemplified by way of investments in current and future facilities, medical oversight from the Allegheny Health Network Orthopaedic Institute and Division of Sports Medicine, soccer and performance instruction from a licensed staff, and guidance through the college recruitment process.
