University of Evansville freshman soccer player Richard Menjivar reports for pre-season practice August 11, but first comes a little side trip to South America.

Menjivar has been chosen for the prestigious United States U-18 Men’s National Team, which plays four exhibition matches over seven days beginning tomorrow in Uruguay and Paraguay (see story below). Menjivar, from Panorama City, California, is a highly regarded attacking player who was team captain of the LAFC of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy. LAFC reached the finals last week in the US Soccer Developmental Academy National Championships, going down in defeat to the Baltimore Bays, 4-2. The match was televised nationally by ESPN2, and Menjivar was named to the US Soccer Developmental Academy "Best XI", an 11-man all-star team comprised of the best players in the country. Menjivar will have one familiar face alongside him when he comes to Evansville next month since LAFC teammate Bobby Reiss is also on the Purple Aces' 2008 squad.

Coach Mike Jacobs' first practice session for his 2008 University of Evansville team will take place August 13, and three days later UE plays its first of three friendlies, at the University of Louisville. Other exhibition matches are August 19 at home against the University of Southern Indiana, and August 24 at home against Bellarmine. The regular season begins August 29 against Central Arkansas at the University of Kentucky tournament.



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