Team USA Kicks Off Practice Schedule
Team USA Football kicked off preparations for the NFL Global Junior Championship XI this week with the first of nine practices at Florida International University (South).
The 40-man roster selected from student athlete seniors from Miami-Dade and Broward counties will face international teams representing Canada, France, Japan, Mexico and Panama on Wednesday, January 31 and Saturday, February 3 at Lockhart Stadium as part of the Super Bowl XLI festivities.
Team USA Football will practice from 4.30pm to 7pm every day from Tuesday, January 16 to Friday, January 19 and from Monday to Friday of the following week, January 22 to 26.
Team USA assistant coach Steve Smith of Hialeah High School and Team USA offensive lineman Emeka Nwankwo and linebacker Reginald Sandilands will be the guests on Radio Show 790 The Ticket on Thursday night between 8pm and 9pm ET. Joining the show at 8.45pm will be Team Canada Head Coach Glen Constantin (pictured). The interviews can be heard live at www.790TheTicket.com.
Team USA head coach Mark Guandolo has added names and made changes to his provisional roster. He has added running back Kenny Mantuo (Cypress Bay), wide receiver Jasper Howard (Miami Edison) and defensive back Anthony Gaitor (Northwestern) to the names of players previously selected. Quarterback Travaris Cadet and running back Bo Williams have both withdrawn from the squad.
Team USA practice schedule:
January 16, 17, 18 and 19 at Florida International University (South) 4.30pm to 7pm
January 22, 23, 24 at Florida International University (South) 4.30pm to 7pm
January 25 and 26 at Miami Dolphins Indoor Practice Facility, Davie, FL
Directions to Flirida International University from Florida Turnpike:
Take Homestead Extension South
Take SW 8th Street Exit 25 and merge onto SW 8th Street /Tamiami Trl/FL-90 E towards Miami
Turn right onto Snapper Creek Road
Turn left onto SW 17th Street
Turn right onto SW 115 Ave
Turn left onto SW 17th Street to 11310 SW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33199
Tickets for the tournament cost $5 per day and are available from local schools Cardinal Gibbons, Pine Crest, North Broward Prep, Western High, University School and Chaminade-Madonna Preparatory, with all proceeds benefiting those schools.