La Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (the Puerto Rican Football Federation) recently announced the Puerto Rican U-17 Youth National Team roster for the upcoming Concacaf qualifying tournament for the 2025 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Austin FC Academy goalkeeper Nico Aristizabal named in the squad.
Aristizabal will join the Puerto Rican U-17 Youth National Team for the tournament from February 10-15 at the Estadio General Francisco Morazán in Honduras. The team will play Group D matches against U-17 national sides from Bonaire (Feb. 10), Saint Martin (Feb. 12), and Honduras (Feb. 15). The winner of the four-team group will qualify directly for the 2025 U-17 FIFA World Cup.
Aristizabal, 16, has made three previous appearances at the U-17 international level for Puerto Rico. He was a key contributor to the Austin FC U-15 side which won the 2023 Generation adidas Cup, anchoring a defense which allowed only two goals in seven matches. Aristizabal saved two penalty kicks in the GA Cup semifinal shootout and made the decisive penalty kick save to win the tournament final.
