The 15-year-old winger will be the youngest player on USYNT which begins play on November 12
CHARLOTTE, NC (Wednesday, October 25, 2023) – Charlotte FC winger Nimfasha Berchimas has been called up to represent the United States Youth National Team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, becoming the first active Charlotte FC player to play at the tournament.
The 15-year-old forward will be the youngest player on the USYNT roster in the tournament and the youngest since Freddy Adu in 2003.
“We are proud and grateful for Nimfasha’s opportunity to represent the United States at the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” said Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. “Nimfasha has worked relentlessly on and off the pitch to further his development as a professional footballer and has been able to see the fruits of his labor at Crown Legacy FC and with the USYNT. We wish him and the U-17s luck in the competition.”
Berchimas, a High Point native, has joined the USYNT U-17s for most of their camps leading up to the World Cup, notably scoring a brace against Ukraine in early September.
“I am thrilled and honored to represent my family, club and country in the U-17 World Cup,” said Berchimas. “I am thankful for opportunities that Charlotte FC and Coach Segares have given me to grow as a footballer and prove myself on and off the pitch. I am excited for the opportunity to represent the United States and compete for the prestigious trophy.”
The 15-year-old spent much of the 2023 season with the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Crown Legacy FC, and scored his first professional goal on September 17 in a 1-0 win over New England Revolution II.
Berchimas is one of four current Charlotte FC or Crown Legacy FC players to take part in a U-17 World Cup: Jaylin Lindsey (USA – 2017), Chituru Odunze (USA – 2019), and Bill Tuiloma (New Zealand – 2011)
Other players who have represented the Stars and Stripes in the U-17 World Cup include current USMNT standouts like Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest and Tim Weah as well as former stars Jozy Altidore, Claudio Reyna and Landon Donovan who won the Golden Ball at the 1999 iteration of the tournament.
This will be the 17th appearance for the USYNT in the U-17 World Cup and will enter the tournament as the second ranked team in CONCACAF after finishings as runners-up in the U-17 CONCACAF Championship in February.
The United States U-17s will kick off the tournament against South Korea on November 12. The Stars and Stripes will also need to get past Burkina Faso and France in Group E.
