(May 23, 2007) Parade Magazine has named Crossfire James U17 and US U17 National Team players Ellis McLoughlin, Brandon Zimmerman and Danny Wenzel to its 2007 All-America Boys Soccer Team. The Parade All American Team is one of the greatest recognitions youth athletes can receive in the United States. This is the 27th year the team, is selected by coaches, recruiters, and scouts from around the country, has been named. The 2007 team has 38 players from states. The three players from Washington are the most ever from the state named at one time to the team. All three are current members of the Crossfire U18 youth club in Redmond, WA, the leading club in the Northwest and current holder of eight State Championships. The Crossfire U18 team is the only one in the country with three members named as Parade All Americans.
Currently over sixty five former Parade All-Americans currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS). 28 former Parade All-Americans are members of the 2006/7 player pool for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Notables include Freddy Adu (02, 03) , DeMarcus Beasley (99, 01), Landon Donovan (90), Kasey Keller (87,88), Brian McBride (90) and Claudio Reyna (90,91). Crossfire Alum and current Bundesliga player Preston Zimmerman received the honor in 2005.
McLoughlin, a University of Washington recruit, Wenzel, a Wake Forest recruit and Zimmerman, a high school junior, are all participating in the US Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, FL. They will be competing as members of the US team at the 2007 U17 Youth World Cup in South Korea this summer. Only one other player from the Northwest, Alex Nimo from Portland, OR, was named to the boy’s Parade All American. Nimo is teammate of the three Washington players on the U17 team and is also part of the residency program. Jorde Kussman, a senior goalkeeper from Charles Wright of Tacoma, was named to Parade’s girls soccer team.
“It is great for the State of Washington and Crossfire as a club to see these three boys receive this honor,” said Crossfire Coaching Director and former US National Team member Bernie James. “They have all worked hard for what they have achieved. I know they are excited to be going to Korea this summer. They continue to build on the tradition of great soccer players coming from the state of Washington and are an example to the current youth players coming up in the system. They show just how far you can go with hard work and dedication.”
James, who has coached and played for the Seattle Sounders and played against the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and George Best in the NASL should know something about quality players. He says, “I have known Brandon almost since he began playing soccer. He is type of player that will never quits and fights you for everything. He has great leadership skills. There is not a team in the world that does not need a player with his tenacity. I expect him to be playing in the pros some day. Brandon’s dedication was clear when for years he drove up to our practices from Pasco, WA.”
“Ellis is one of the most talented players we have had with the club. He has great speed and the ability to turn on a dime. When our 1990 team went to Hong Kong and I saw him compete successfully against the best in the world it was clear he had a bright future. I still remember the look on the Inter Milan coach’s face when Ellis knocked over the center defender, blew past his defense and slammed the ball in the upper corner of the goal. He just turned to me, kissed his hand like you see done in Italy, looked in the sky and said, “Magnifico.’ Ellis will be a big part of the US effort in Korea this summer.”
“Wenzel is a tall midfielder who does a solid job in the center of the field. Danny was a good contributor on our quarterfinalist team at the Nike Manchester United World Championships. He seems to be doing well down in Florida. Danny works hard and is a good tackler”
“This is a real honor,” said star forward Ellis McLoughlin when reached in Florida. “I am really proud to be included with such a great bunch of players. I want to thank Crossfire and Bernie for all they have done for me. Crossfire gave me the foundation, training and support to get me where I am. I have a great bunch of teammates there and love playing with them every time when I am back.”
Zimmerman added, “Having a coach like Bernie who has actually played at the highest level has made such a difference for me. He was a great example for all of us. When I came to the National Team I was prepared. Bernie did everything he could to get me to the next level. When I receive honors like this my first thought is to thank him and Crossfire. I also want to thank my parents for everything they have done as well.”
Brandon follows in the footsteps of his brother Preston Zimmerman. Preston was also part of the US Youth Residency program and has been a member of the US U17 and U20 National teams. He is currently playing professionally for SV Hamburg in the German Bundesliga. “Preston has been a great example for all Crossfire players,” said James. “He is so dedicated to the game. When he is on break you always see him on the practice field be it with the U14s, 15s, 16s or 17s. It does not matter. He continues to support the club and even donated a number of items for our upcoming auction. We are so proud of him, Ellis, Brandon and Danny.”
The six-time State Champion Crossfire U18 team to which McLoughlin, Wenzel and Zimmerman belong has some of the most decorated players in the history of the State. Along with the Parade All Americans three members, Tyler Klein, James Matern and Brooks Hopp (a University of Washington commit), are part of the Far West Regional Team. Klein and Hopp have also been invited to participate in the prestigious ESP Camp this coming summer. Three more, Anthony Arena, Alexander Klein and Fernando Monge (a UCLA commit) are members of the Super Y-League National Team and will be participating in the USFC National Talent Combine this June in California. Aaron Becerril, Kellan Brown, Matt Berry, Joseph Pak, Josh Petosa, Estaban Reyes and Surafel Worku have all been part of the Washington State ODP team. DJ Dewaile, Ian Fewing, Doug Herrick and Lachlan Huck were recently named to the Seattle Times All District team along with Arena, Klein, Klein and Monge. Avi Castro last week lead his Rainer Beach relay team to first place in the 4X100 in Districts as well as placing second in the 100 yard dash. The Crossfire team also recently added Far West Regional Team pool players Ricky Morales and Jermaine Haller. They will be competing in the 2007/8 Red Bull National League, which is comprised of the top 16 teams in the United States.
“Things do not happen in a vacuum,” says James. “The team from which Ellis, Danny and Brandon come from is one of the most talented in the history of our State. They were the first Northwest team ever to win the Nike Manchester United Cup US Championship. They went further in the world championships than any team in the history of our country. They go into the 2007/8 Red Bull National League as one of the clear favorites. Every one will go on to play in college or the pros. They are great bunch of kids and their careers are just beginning.”
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The Crossfire Premier Soccer Club is based in Redmond, Washington. Crossfire Premier is the Advanced Development Program (“ADP”) affiliated with the Lake Washington Youth Socer Association (LWYSA), a Non-Profit Organization formed in 1968 and devoted to promoting the game of soccer and serving over 7,500 boys and girls in East King County of Washington State USA. In the 2006 season, the Crossfire Premier Soccer program consists of 47 teams (roughly 700 players), ages U-11 through U-19. We are affiliated with the US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), which in turn is affiliated with FIFA. (LWYSA), a Non-Profit Organization formed in 1968 and devoted to promoting the game of soccer and serving over 7,500 boys and girls in East King County of Washington State USA. In the 2006 season, the Crossfire Premier Soccer program consists of 47 teams (roughly 700 players), ages U-11 through U-19. We are affiliated with the US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), which in turn is affiliated with FIFA.
The Crossfire Premier Soccer Club provides professional training and player development to qualified players to assist them in advancing to play at the highest levels of play available in the state. Many of the local high school and college teams are chiefly comprised of players who have demonstrated their ability to improve their skills and tactics through Crossfire Premier. Crossfire Premier coaching has produced players that have risen above the Crossfire Premier levels and onto the National Residency Programs in Florida, the U17 and U20 US National teams, and onto careers in the European leagues.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Brian Klein 206-619-9411; Bernie James 425-442-6546
