Louis Bennett II (Shorewood) and Andrija Novakovich (Muskego) didn't get a chance to play together on the Marquette men's soccer team. But they'll be teammates for nine days at a U.S. Under-20 national team camp that starts Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.
It will be the first Under-20 camp for both players, though both have some history with the national program. Bennett, the son of the Marquette coach of the same name, attended an Under-14 identification camp back in 2008, while Novakovich has played with both the Under-17 and Under-18 national teams in the past 10 months.
U.S. Under-20 assistant Brian Bliss will oversee the camp at North Carolina State University, as head coach Tab Ramos is fulfilling his duties as an assistant with the full national team at its World Cup preparation camp in Palo Alto, Calif.
The Milwaukee-area duo are among the 13 newcomers on the 24-player roster for the camp, which will include friendlies against the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League on Tuesday, the RailHawks' Under-23 team next Thursday and the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL PRO on May 24.
Bennett, who turns 19 on Monday, played in all 21 matches for the Golden Eagles as a freshman last fall (20 starts) and finished with four goals and five assists. He was a unanimous Big East All-Rookie Team selection and was honorable mention All-Big East.
Novakovich signed a national letter of intent with Marquette in February. But last month, he opted to forego a college career and signed with Reading FC in England after spending time on trial with the Royals – coincidentally, the Championship club officially confirmed his addition for the 2014-15 season on Thursday.
The 6-foot-4 striker has four goals in 10 appearances for the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams. Novakovich was named the 2012 Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year after recording 41 goals and 13 assists for Muskego, then scored 30 goals in 25 games for Chicago Magic PSG teams in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play in 2013.
On Twitter: @AndrijaNovakov3
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