Máximo Carrizo gets a break from preseason with New York City FC as he's been called up to the United States U-17 team for a trio of FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers.
The US U-17s will determine their World Cup qualification fate by facing the U-17s of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Monday, Feb. 10, St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, Feb. 12, and Cuba on Saturday, Feb. 15. All three matches will be played in Costa Rica and all kick off at 8:00 pm ET, with the games set to be broadcast in some form (specifics still to be announced) by Fox Sports.
Eight teams from Concacaf will qualify for this expanded 48-team U-17 World Cup, so the United States and Carrizo will need to finish atop the group they share with the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Cuba to seal a spot in the U-17 World Cup field. Concacaf divided its 35 U-17 World Cup hopefuls into eight groups and those group winners will earn the federation's World Cup spots.
Carrizo has been a staple with the US U-17s since this cycle for U-17 World Cup-eligible players began, with US Soccer's official roster release pointing out that he's one of 10 players to have been called up for all three training camps held to date. One of those call-ups came in August 2024, when Carrizo traveled to the Czech Republic and played minutes in all three matches the United States U-17s played in the Vaclav Jezek Tournament.
He's also one of 13 Major League Soccer players on this latest domestic-heavy 21-player United States U-17 roster, though the 16-year-old New York City Homegrown attacking midfielder is still waiting to make his full MLS debut.
Carrizo made 29 appearances and 26 starts for New York City FC II across all competitions in 2024, scoring three goals and collecting three assists. He also made the teamsheet for the NYCFC First Team on six different occasions, though has yet to get that debut.
His involvement with the United States U-17s at the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers runs from Feb. 10-15, meaning Carrizo will be absent for a chunk of New York City FC's preseason games. Pascal Jansen's NYCFC squad plays San Diego FC on Feb. 8, St. Louis City SC on Feb. 10, and then Minnesota United FC on Feb. 15 to close out their Coachella Valley Invitational schedule.
John Baney
