McBean Named to U-17 U.S. National Soccer Team

Jack McBean, a former Corona del Mar sophomore and current member of the LA Galaxy professional soccer team, has been selected to the U.S. squad for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

According to the MLS club, McBean has made one Reserve League appearance for the Galaxy while spending much of the year raining with the U-17 squad. The fourth-youngest player in MLS history, he is the only player from the league named to the 21-man team, which features nine players from California.

McBean and the rest of the U.S. team is supposed to leave today for Torreon, Mexico to prepare for their Group D opener  against the Czech Republic on June 19 at 4 p.m. The game will be shown live on ESPNU. The U.S. will then meet Uzbekistan on June 22 and New Zealand on June 25. The Round of 16 begins June 29 and the final is set for July 10 in Mexico City.

McBean, who helped lead Corona del Mar to the CIF Southern Section Division 4 championship as a freshman, played in only one game this past season for the Sea Kings, in which he scored a goal on a header.

He left his school squad in December to play for the Galaxy's Academy team and soon after was invited to participate in U.S. Soccer's Residency Program in Bradenton. McBean helped the U.S. win the  CONCACAF Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in February. He made nine appearances for the team, adding three assists, all in a 3-0 victory over Canada in the championship match.