Capitol Hill Teen Might Earn Spot on U.S. Soccer’s Boys’ National Team

A teenager who lives on Capitol Hill might have the opportunity to travel the world as a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s national team for boys who are 15 years old or younger.

Kalani Takamura, a 13-year-old member of the District’s Capital Futbol Club, was one of 48 kids selected to train with U.S. Soccer’s U-15 Boys’ National Team last week in California. The soccer federation uses the training camp to help pick boys to play for the United States abroad.

Mike Barrette, Capital FC’s coach, said Takamura played well over the summer.

“He has always been the smallest kid on the team, but his skill, heart and dedication to the game sets him apart,” Barrette said in a statement released today.

Councilman Charles Allen of Ward 6 said he is proud of Takamura and is working to ensure that kids like him have more athletic fields to use in the Capitol Hill area, including the RFK Stadium campus.

“Ensuring every child in the District can take advantage of the excellent opportunities available through our local youth sports programs means we have to provide access to the fields and playing space they need,” Allen said in a statement.

Photo courtesy of W. Scotte MacQueen and Capital FC