Ethan Lotenero at CF Belenenses

He has been named to the squad for the Development Academy Winter Showcase:

U.S. U-17 Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Abraham Romero (LA Galaxy Academy; Altadena, Calif.), Eric Lopez (LA Galaxy Academy; Westminster, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Nikkye De Point (Revolution Empire; Rochester, N.Y.), Tanner Dieterich (Tennessee Soccer Club; Nashville, Tenn.), Ronaldo Escudero (Pateadores; Placentia, Calif.), Darian Gurley (Karlsruher SC; Leimen, Germany), AJ Palazzollo (St. Louis Scott Gallagher MO; O’Fallon, Mo.), Michael Wetungu (Vardar; Rochester Hills, Mich.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Kyle Gurrieri (NJSA 04; Totowa, N.J.), Zach Kobayashi (SC Weyhe; Leeste, Germany), Ethan Lotenero (Pachuca; Los Angeles, Calif.), Weston McKennie (FC Dallas Academy; Little Elm, Texas), Devin Vega (San Antonio Scorpions; San Antonio, Texas),
FORWARDS (4): Kevin Coleman (FC Richmond; Warrenton, Va.), Lagos Kunga (DDYSC 98 Wolves Elite; Atlanta, Ga.), Elijah Rice (Chicago Magic PSG; Highland Park, Ill.), Sean Teixeira (New York Red Bulls Academy; Trumbull, Conn.).

 

Wow. Is this the first YA signed by a Mexican club with no Mexican connections?

Usually they only sign Mexican Americans. This is really strange. Could signal a different strategy for some Mexican clubs.

 

Perhaps, but it would be usual because (1) FIFA doesn't like 14 years old moving across borders without citizenship except for "non-football reasons" and (2) the league limits non-Mexicans, though I'm not sure if that applies at the academy level.

I took a look at his parents' backgrounds because they were mentioned in the TDS article and they are both creative types, so it's possible they were able to relocate their businesses without a major issue. Neither's CV gave me an indication they have a connection to Mexico, but, since it appears to take only a great-grandparent for citizenship in Mexico and they are lifetime Californians, it's certainly possible he has Mexican roots.

 

U.S. U17 MNT mid Ethan Lotenero has joined Portuguese club Boavista F.C., his father tells TDS. Lotenero played with Pachuca last year

— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) October 9, 2014

 

My first thought was "aren't Boavista in the third division these days?"

Well, they were last season, but they managed to get promoted straight into the top division this season, somehow.

 

Looks like he is on this list (content paywall protected):

Here's @JREskilson taking a look 5 players who deserve a shot with the U18 MNT: https://t.co/489SpkW1iM pic.twitter.com/ggcvwHSALB

— TopDrawerSoccer (@TopDrawerSoccer) January 25, 2016

 

@bungadiri @Friedel'sAccent Let's move this gentleman to the YA Academy.

 

Done--and gave the thread title an apparently much-needed update.

 

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/pro-prospects:-updates-on-recent-moves_aid39569

U.S. youth national team midfielder Ethan Lotenero moved from Boavista to CF Belenenses in Portugal during this offseason.

Lotenero, 18 years old, is originally from Southern California. He played for CF Pachuca’s Academy prior to his arrival in Portugal in 2013. After two years with Boavista, Lotenero is joining Belenenses, which is located in Lisbon. Belenenses finished ninth in the league last season. They open up the 2016-2017 campaign this weekend against Benfica.

Lotenero is expected to compete for the right back spot with the club’s reserve team this season.

 

@bungadiri @Friedel'sAccent -- Let's update title to "Ethan Lotenero at CF Belenenses."

Abrigado.

 

Listed with the club's Juniores (U19). I can't find a reference of a Belenenses B in any competition in Portugal.

http://www.osbelenenses.com/home/futebol-formacao/juniores/plantel-juniores-a-201617/





According to ZeroZero his only appearance so far has been as an unused sub in Os Belenenses' 2-0 defeat of Naval on 21 Aug.

http://www.zerozero.pt/player.php?id=524219

 

Quick update. Belenenses Juniores won five straight before falling to Sporting 3 - 0 this past weekend. They are now second in Juniores A - Sul four points behind Sporting. According to www.zerozero.pt Ethan's sole roster appearance has been as a unused sub in their win over Naval. No word on injuries. As partial consolation, Belenenses has 28 Juniores and their only other foreigner, Banjai from Guineau (also a defender) hasn't even made a gameday 16.

 

Now with Seattle. He started for S2 today, but I believe he is an amateur with their academy.

 

At a combine now:

We have 2 more locals who have made the 3rd player announcement selections for the 2018 @midwestprosc in 2 weeks:
• @thasargeant15 // @masonmsoc
• @alextogomasta // @UConnMSOC/ @DCUyouth alum pic.twitter.com/kt5cBUFgJg

— DMV Soccer (@DMVSoccer96) December 4, 2018

 

Pinhalnovense. For which he has been an unused sub in the 10 games he dressed for. Here's to hoping he turns it around in the restart to the Portuguese third division.

 

That appears to be third division