ATLANTA (Oct. 7, 2026) -- U.S. Soccer has named Mutanda Kwesele as the new head coach for the U.S. Under-15 and U-16 Boys’ National Team Futures. A former professional player with more than 14 years of coaching experience, Kwesele will lead his first camp from Oct. 8-13 in Chula Vista, Calif.
“We are delighted to welcome Mutanda and very happy to have him lead our U.S. U-15 and U-16 Boys National Team Futures where patience, individual development and creating the right environment for each player is so important.” said Barry Pauwels, U.S. Soccer Head of Development. “We believe his mindset, knowledge and passion will be a great asset to the Youth National Team players, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop under his leadership.”
As part of continuing the mission to create more inclusive development pathways for high-potential youth players, U.S. Soccer announced the launch of the U.S. U-15 and U-16 Boys’ National Team Futures Program in February 2026 and held its first camp the same month.
Kwesele will lead the team with the goal of identifying, supporting and developing high-potential players who physically mature later than their peers. The initiative is in addition to the already-existing Men’s Youth National Team structure, which operates seven teams between the U-15 and U-23 age groups, with the U-15 and U-16 BNT Futures each set to gather for camps three times throughout the calendar year.
“I'm deeply honored to take this role and it's exciting to join such an amazing group of coaches tasked with identifying and elevating high potential players both domestically and abroad,” Kwesele said. “For my role specifically, it's important to remember that players grow and mature at different rates, especially in the U-15 and U-16 categories; therefore, identifying and supporting talented youngsters who might be behind their peers in physical maturation is crucial to ensure we aren't closing the door too early on potential stars simply because of their size or stature at the age of 14.”
“My personal mission is to provide fun and challenging learning environments for all the players we work with and to inspire them and expand their abilities. The opportunity to work with some of the most talented players in the country, to collaborate with and learn from my colleagues at U.S. Soccer and to compete at an international level is an absolute privilege and I don’t take it for granted. I’m excited to be on this journey with everyone at the federation.”
Kwesele brings more than 14 years of coaching experience across the American soccer system. He has coached local youth clubs in the Seattle area and spent two years as head coach of the U-14 team at the Columbus Crew Academy.
He holds USSF “A” License and a master's degree in teaching from Seattle University. He comes to U.S. Soccer after coaching Ballard FC, a USL League Two club, last season and leading them to a 12-1-1(W-L-D) regular season record, the best finish in the team's history.
Before starting his coaching career, Kwesele played for the USL League Two side Tacoma Tide in 2007 and the Portland Timbers U-23 team in 2009 before turning professional with the FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League in 2011.
The hiring of a full-time coach for the Futures Program is part of the continuing focus on the U.S. Way philosophy which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
Kwesele’s first Futures Training camp will include 24 players from across the country and will be held from Oct. 8-13 in Chula Vista, California.
There are 15 MLS Academies represented on this roster with Atlanta United, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders leading the charge with two players each.
Six players on this roster return from the first Futures camp: Jack Apple (Charlotte FC), Ali Divanovic (FC Cincinnati), Jensyn Goranson (Chicago Fire), Jacob Rath (Atlanta United), Leonardo Reyes (New York City FC), and Thiago Romany (Red Bull New York).
U-16 BOYS’ NATIONAL TEAM - FUTURES (2011) – ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Hometown)
*All players born on or after Jan. 1, 2011
Goalkeepers (3): Luca Kolkowski-Soler (Inter Miami CF; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) Alan Mercado (Seattle Sounders: Auburn, Wash.), Thomas White (Philadelphia Union; Atherton, Calif.)
Defenders (6): Ali Divanovic (FC Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio) Jensyn Goranson (Chicago Fire; Manteno, Ill.) Xavi Iñiguez (Barça Academy; Lynwood, Calif.), Marshall Miller (Austin FC; Dripping Springs, Texas), Damian Perez (Legends FC; Colton, Calif.) Henry Pombo (Atlanta United; Peachtree Corners, Ga.)
Midfielders (8): Jack Apple (Charlotte FC; Holly Springs, N.C.), Jonathan Bustamante (LA Galaxy; Lynwood, Calif.) Sameer Chatani (Nashville SC; Tampa, Fla.) Tommy Dos Santos (Seattle Sounders; Maple Valley, Wash.), Gideon Gomez (Houston Dynamo; Friendswood, Texas), Jacob Rath (Atlanta United; Dunwoody, Ga.), Thiago Romany (Red Bull New York; Ajax Ontario, Canada), Mario Vera-Martinez (Minnesota United; Bloomington, Minn.)
Forwards (7): Christian Camacho (Weston FC; Miami, Fla.), Shai Kahane (Manhattan Soccer Club; New York, N.Y.), Kade Kolling (Colorado Rapids; Erie, Colo.), Brendan Moran (Charlotte FC; Richmond, Va.), Knox Napoe (Chicago Fire; Chicago, Ill.) Jonathan Plascensia (Total Fútbol Academy; Riverside, Calif.), Leonardo Reyes (New York City FC; Staten Island, N.Y.)
