Kristen Mewis (Hanson, Mass.) and Earl Edwards (San Diego, Calif.) have been named the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Girls and Boys Youth Players of the Year.

Both were recognized at the 2009 NSCAA All-America Luncheon, held in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 17, as part of the annual NSCAA Convention.

About Kristen Mewis
Mewis, the U-17 WNT's attacking center midfielder had a stellar 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, scoring two goals while winning the Bronze Ball as the third best player of the tournament. An outside midfielder by trade, she moved central after the first match and subsequently made a telling impact on every game. She was one of the USA's leading scorers in 2008 with 13 goals, including six in international matches, and her goal from outside the penalty area in the quarterfinal win over South Korea was one of the best of the U-17 Women's World Cup. She also was named the 2008 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year.

About Earl Edwards
Edwards joined the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Fla., in the fall of 2007. A year ago December, his staunch defense helped the U.S. U-17 team earn its first victory over Brazil as he made 10 saves in the 2-0 win. He has posted two shutouts in international play thus far, with a 1.6 goals-against average in 10 matches. An older brother Yohance played collegiate soccer at Brown University and an older sister, Jasmine, is a freshman at Rutgers University.