OTTAWA, Ontario ? Kentucky freshmen Nathan Li and Riley O?Neill were recently selected to participate on Canada?s Men?s Youth Under-20 Team. Li and O?Neill are currently training in camp in Antalya, Turkey with Coach Dale Mitchell and the rest of the 18-player roster.
The team?s camp began Monday, April 19 and will run through Thursday, April 29. While in Turkey, the U-20 squad will play the Turkish National U-20 team on April 26 and 29 before concluding the camp. Both Li and O?Neill have previous experience playing on Canadian National teams.
Li, a Delta, B.C, native, played on the Canadian U-16 and U-18 teams that traveled England, Ireland and Cuba and also played for the U-20 Development team in 2003. The 5-7 midfielder was a dynamo for the Kentucky attack this past season and he started in 17 matches as a freshman. Li tallied two goals, both which were game-winners, against Bowling Green and Western Michigan. Against Cincinnati in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he scored Kentucky?s third penalty kick goal in the Cats? 4-2 shootout victory.
Li?s individual accolades in his first season at UK include the UK Invitational All-Tournament team, the Mid-American Conference All-Tournament team and All-MAC second team recognition.
O?Neill has played for the Canadian National U-20 Development Team since 2000 and was the team?s leading scorer during a tour of Austria in 2003. O?Neill became the first freshman in Kentucky history to lead the team in goals scored as he tallied seven this past season. The Campbell River, B.C., native, also contributed three assists and was UK?s second leading scorer (17 points). Three of O?Neill?s goals were game-winners, including the Cats? lone goal in a 1-0 win over MAC foe and then No. 12-ranked Akron.
At the conclusion of the season, O?Neill became the fourth Kentucky player to be named MAC Newcomer of the Year. He finished fourth in the league in scoring and fifth in goals. O?Neill was also named Kentucky Male Rookie of the Year at the second annual Catspy Awards this past Monday.
For a complete list of the Canadian National U-20 Team and its coaching staff visit www.canadasoccer.com.
