Matteo Ritaccio at Liverpool

Interestingly, has 2 older brothers, Giraldo at SUNY Oneonta and Carlo who starts at Akron in the fall. Have to assume he's the "star child" and that they all have EU passports.

 

You guys are on fire! How do you all find all these eligible USYNT players? And why is the USSF not hiring anyone full time from BS?

 

Carlo got some looks with the U17 team last cycle, IIRC.

 

It's a little confusing because USSF lists the youngest brother as "Matteo Carlo Ritaccio." But, he did...

Thrilled to have made my u17 MNT debut🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qaVCzcxhUt

— Carlo Ritaccio (@carloritaccio) October 9, 2016

Matteo has had several "tryouts" at Liverpool and it just seems odd that Carlo, who is good enough to get an offer at Akron, didn't seem to. Obviously, every kid is different, but you'd think they all would want to at least give it a shot.

 

We like to brag on ourselves, but USSF knows about lots of these players already (Matteo has played for the U17s). One noticeable case is CCV. There wasn't a peep about him on this site (at least as a possible Yank) until they called him in for a camp.

 

The USSF has a habit of pulling guys out of a hat. Mix was another "who?" choice when Rongen first called him up to the U20s. But sometimes there are guys we've known about for years that key personnel don't seem to be aware of.

It probably comes down to who is listed as American in databases like TM vs. who has a parent or agent who sends info into the USSF.

 

looks like he played 64 minutes in a 6-1 win for Liverpool U18 vs Sunderland.

 

Starts for U18s:

🔴📋 #LFCU18s starting XI to face @ManUtd at the Academy...

Catch all the build-up and match action from 10:30 BST (kick-off 11:00 BST): https://t.co/BxfzKkDE2C pic.twitter.com/B8fBkc0AzS

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 18, 2018

9: Matteo Ritaccio crashes a 25-yard strike into the post. So close! [0-0] #LFCU18s

Watch live on @LFCTV and @LFCTV GO: https://t.co/4R1NGKGEal

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 18, 2018

And missed another shot:

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/312479-match-report-liverpool-u18s-manchester-united

Indeed, it was Ritaccio who next went close midway through the half. The New York-born midfielder was the recipient of a loose ball when United cleared away a short corner routine and his sliced effort from 20 yards swerved inches wide of the left post.

And he did it in only 55 minutes:

Liverpool U18s: Jaros, N. Williams, Larouci (O’Rourke, 84), R. Williams, Clayton, Ritaccio (Dixon-Bonner, 55), Sharif, Cain, Glatzel, Duncan, Longstaff (Clarkson, 65).

Unused substitutes: B. Williams, Brookwell.

 

I’m very happy to have signed with Liverpool Football Club! It’s an honour to be joining such a great club. Excited to start this new chapter in my career! Thank you to everyone who’s helped me along this journey! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/1QVdH3nFNV

— Matteo Ritaccio (@mritaccio) August 21, 2018

 

Already gets a profile:

Meet the new Liverpool midfielder who first impressed at 13 - and now hopes to break American curse

The list of players from the United States to make the grade at Liverpool is, well, short.

Brad Friedel couldn't quite grasp the opportunity to be number one goalkeeper during the 1990s, while in the following decade Zak Whitbread came through the ranks, made a handful of appearances, and then moved on.

That's about it.

Youngster Matteo Ritaccio will therefore be swimming against the tide as he begins the long quest to break into the Liverpool first team.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spo...ws/meet-new-liverpool-midfielder-who-15059669

 

Wow our boy Brooks Lennon can't even get a mention as one of the guys who couldn't break through! Haha

 

And another new profile:

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club...ope-u18s-form-puts-him-on-united-states-radar

Lewtas' squad is where Ritaccio will officially begin his career on Merseyside, but Liverpool is not necessarily new to him. He has been on the club's radar for a considerable amount of time.

Sources told ESPN FC that, since December 2014, Ritaccio has made regular trips across the Atlantic to train with Liverpool, who have been mindful of his schooling and schedule with BW Gottschee.

He also represented the Reds in summer youth tournaments and friendlies, working with then-U18s coach Steven Gerrard at one point last season.

Sources said Liverpool did not face competition in the pursuit of Ritaccio -- with his lack of physical stature perhaps not fitting the profile of other clubs -- but they recognised his footballing ability early and are now benefiting from their patient approach and Ritaccio's recent growth spurt.

Ritaccio, who also holds an Italian passport, has represented the United States at youth level. He played for the U14s but has not been called back since, though there is hope that, having now caught up with his peers in physical stature, he will return to the international stage sooner rather than later.

 

Called up for the U18s:

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/clu...-mnt-roster-name-for-california-camp_aid45791

U-18 MNT Roster by Position (Club; Hometown)

GOALKEEPERS (2): David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.), Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis FC; Saint Charles, Mo.)

DEFENDERS (6): Julian Hinojosa Jr. (FC Dallas; Garland, Texas), Kai Lammers (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Erwin Martinez (Real Salt Lake; Gilbert, Ariz.), David Mendoza (Chicago Fire; Chicago, Ill.), Christian Ortiz (Barca Academy AZ; Yuma, Ariz.), Leonardo Sepulveda (LA Galaxy; Corona, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids; Littleton, Colo.), Ethan Bryant (San Antonio FC; San Antonio, Texas), Oscar Cervantes Jr. (LA Galaxy; Indio, Calif.), Emmanuel Haro (Club Tijuana/MEX; San Diego, Calif.), Armando Munoz-Zarate (Colorado Rapids; Albuquerque, N.M.), Matteo Ritaccio (Liverpool FC/ENG; Westbury, N.Y.)

FORWARDS (6):Alec Diaz (Seattle Sounders FC II; Issaquah, Wash.), Bryce Duke (Real Salt Lake; Phoenix, Ariz.), Hunter George (Sacramento Republic FC; Lincoln, Calif.), Cameron Harper (Celtic FC/SCO; Roseville, Calif.) Nicholas Hategan (Sacramento Republic FC; Chicago, Ill.), Marlon Vargas (Seattle Sounders II; Renton, Wash.)

 

Made a late substitute appearance against Man Utd U18s.

 

Started in a draw against Newcastle U18.

Another important stoppage time goal saw #LFCU18s salvage a 1-1 draw with @NUFC today.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 23, 2019

 

On the bench:

📋 Team news...

Here's how #LFCU18s line up against @buryfcofficial in the #FAYouthCup quarter-final. 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/rmtZxs9117

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 6, 2019

 

Was in the squad at the Dallas Cup, though not sure how he played:

6:30 pm Gordon Jago Super Group game Starting XI. @LFC vs. @TigresOficial #DC40 pic.twitter.com/6C7PKP9Prd

— Dallas Cup ⚽️ (@dallascup) April 14, 2019

1117600012983312384 is not a valid tweet id

 

Started for U18s in 1-0 win over Man City:

Liverpool U18s: Jaros; R.Williams, Savage, Boyes; N.Williams, Ritaccio (Sharif 64′), Dixon-Bonner (Clarkson 52′), Larouci; Longstaff, Bearne, Duncan (O’Rourke 86′)

Subs not used: Winterbottom, Brookwell

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/04/liverpool-u18s-beat-man-city-for-2nd-time-in-5-days-as-title-race-goes-to-final-day

 

He is mentioned in this article as being tied for most sub appearances for Liverpool's U-18's with 10.

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/...ason-the-liverpool-academys-2018-19-in-stats/

 

Profile from the club:

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/353958-meet-the-academy-matteo-ritaccio

 

Profile:

https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/new-yorker-matteo-ritaccio-could-16537907

At around 6ft tall he’s a lanky presence deep in midfield in front of the back four, similar in gait to Didi Hamann. This means he has no problem slotting into the back line if a central defender gets pulled out of position, and in the future he could make a good ball-playing centre-back, but his talent may be better utilised in the centre of the park.

 

Scored 2 for the U18s:

Great start to the season for Liverpool Under 18's. They beat Blackburn away from home 7-1! Well done young lads #YNWA

— Kop Corner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@KopCornerYNWA) August 10, 2019

2 for Layton Stewart, 2 for Tom Hill, 2 for Matteo Ritaccio and 1 for Jake Cain.

— Kop Corner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@KopCornerYNWA) August 10, 2019

Or maybe not:

The Liverpool write-up has it as Stewart x2, Balagizi x2, Hill x2 and Cain. pic.twitter.com/Q7iU0YsPLz

— Yanks Abroad (@usmnt_abroad) August 10, 2019