SACRAMENTO, CA -- Mykell Bates and Ade Akinsanya, teammates from the Capital Athletic Boca Jrs 89 boys team, have been asked by US Soccer to represent their respective age groups on US Youth National Teams.

Bates, who has been a key contributor to Boca Jrs since under-10 accepted an invitation by US Soccer to their Full-Time Residency Program.

"This is a tremendous honor for Mykell to respresent his country while playing at the highest level, "said Boca Jrs 89 Head Coach and Capital Athletic Boys Director of Coaching Don Finley.  "Mykell is a great competitor and his hard work over the last several years is being recognized and rewarded."

Started in 1999, the U.S. Soccer full-time residency program has become a symbol of U.S. Soccer's dedication to producing development opportunities for players and the success of the Youth National Teams.  The 40-player roster consists of players born in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. The majority of the players (28) were born in 1990 or later and are just beginning the two-year cycle towards the next FIFA U-17 World Championship in 2007, which will take place in South Korea.  The 40 U.S. players live on campus at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and attend classes at nearby Edison Academy in the morning.  In the afternoon, the players return to the IMG campus to train daily under the guidance of Hackworth and assistant coaches Keith Fulk, Raul Diaz Arce, Tim Mulqueen and Brian Maisonneuve.  With 40 players in residency, the program is able to field two full teams that train together during the week, and get the chance to compete against club, college and international teams on the weekends.

Ade Akinsanya, also playing for the Boca Jrs 89 boys, has been invited to the U15 Boys National Team Training Camp.  The camp takes place from February 25 - March 4 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.  The players will be exposed to the training and game requirements of Youth National Teams.  The U15 Boys National team will also face tough competition from local southern California competitive teams.

"This is a great opportunity for Ade," said Finley. "Ade has put in a lot of hard work and this has allowed him the opportunity to get this invitation. We are all very proud of both of these players and know they will represent out country and club very well."