2012 Nike International Friendlies Under-17 Mens Soccer Competition at Premier Sports Campus (LWR)

RANCH TO HOST 2012 NIKE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES DURING DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY WINTER SHOWCASE

The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team is set to square off against Brazil, Turkey and Portugal at the 2012 Nike International Friendlies in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase from Nov. 28-Dec. 4 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. 

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Nike International Friendlies, which began in 2003 as the Nike National Team Friendlies. In a decade of competition, the U.S. has participated every year, while Brazil is set to make its eighth appearance and Turkey - which was crowned champion in 2010 when the competition became a tournament format for the first time - returns for a third consecutive year. 

The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team is scheduled to face Brazil, Turkey and Portugal during the round-robin competition with all the U.S. matches beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The U.S. starts the tournament against Brazil on Wednesday, Nov. 28 before facing Turkey on Friday, Nov. 30 and closing out the competition against Portugal on Sunday, Dec. 2. 

Portugal is making its first appearance since 2009, while other national teams that have participated in the Nike International Friendlies during the last 10 years are Australia, the Netherlands, France, Russia and South Korea. 

The U.S. earned the championship last year, defeating Brazil 3-1 in front of a capacity crowd of 3,000 fans.

The Nike International Friendlies will be played in conjunction with the annual U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase where all 80 Development Academy clubs will play 240 non-conference matches from Nov. 30-Dec. 4. 

Launched in 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is a growing partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players with an environment designed to foster a professional attitude and produce the next generation of national team players. 

2012 Nike International Friendlies Schedule

*All matches to be played at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch

Televised Matches

Nov. 28 
Portugal vs. Turkey - 2 p.m. 
USA vs. Brazil - 5 p.m. 

Nov. 30 
Brazil vs. Portugal - 2 p.m. 
USA vs. Turkey - 5 p.m. 

Dec. 2 
Turkey vs. Brazil - 2 p.m. 
USA vs. Portugal - 5 p.m.

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch is a multi-purpose facility that is home to 22 full-sized, mixed-use fields for soccer, lacrosse and other amateur sports, and features Celebration grass and underground irrigation. In 2011, the economic impact to the region totaled more than $30 million from events and tournaments at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.  With more than 30 events scheduled for 2012, the economic impact is projected to be more than $70 million. The complex is used for amateur and professional top-flight and world-class sporting tournaments, events, camps and clinics and is located in Lakewood Ranch – the 17,500-acre, award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. www.lakewoodranch.com.