10/18/23 - The American Association of Soccer 5/6/7 today announced the roster for the USA567 Men's National Team for this month's WMF Minifootball World Cup in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

The star-studded roster includes four-time MASL MVP Franck Tayou, two-time MASL MVP Ian Bennett, former MASL Defenders of the Year Drew Ruggles and Chad Vandegriffe, three-time MASL Goalkeeper of the Year Boris Pardo, two-time All-MASL 1st Team defender Marcio Leite, former All-MASL 1st Team midfielder Justin Stinson, and former MASL Rookie of the Year Zach Reget.

Ten of the 15 players were part of the US roster that won the EMF Nations Games tournament in Slovakia in May. It was the first major minifootball tournament win for the Americans.

Bennett and Leite, newly minted American citizens, will be making their debuts for the Stars and Stripes. Stefan Mijatovic will also be making his first appearance on the USA567 National Team.

David Ortiz and Sebastian Mendez, a pair of Texas Outlaws who had breakout seasons in the MASL last year, return after successful debuts with the team in Slovakia.

"The staff did a really good job of putting together a roster that gives us depth and some flexibility based upon who we play," said USA567 Technical Director Craig Rhodis. "Obviously there are some really good players that were not called in, but we are looking forward to the World Cup with this group. Our focus now is on getting the group prepared. We have a difficult group in the World Cup so we need to be playing our best as a team."

The US will be coached by Phil Salvagio and assistant coach Mark Litton. Group play opens on October 26 with the US taking on Spain, followed by games against Bahrain on October 28, and Romania on October 30.

USA567 2023 WMF World Cup National Team Roster

Boris Pardo, GK, San Diego Sockers

Robert Damron, GK, US National Futsal Team

Chad Vandegriffe, D, Kansas City Comets

Drew Ruggles, D, San Diego Sockers

Israel Sesay, D, Empire Strykers

Stuart Grable, D, Milwaukee Wave

Stefan Mijatovic, D, Utica City

Marcio Leite, D, Milwaukee Wave

David Ortiz, M, Texas Outlaws

Sebastian Mendez, M, Texas Outlaws

Justin Stinson, M, Empire Strykers

Ian Bennett, M, Milwaukee Wave

Micheal Ramos, M, Tacoma Stars

Franck Tayou, F, Empire Strykers

Zach Reget, F, Kansas City Comets