Charles Renken

Renken was acquired on Jan. 31, 2012, via the MLS waiver process. A member of the U.S. U-20 National Team pool in 2011, Renken played his first professional season with the U-19 side for Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during the 2010-11 campaign. He’s been a standout for U.S. youth international teams since 2005 and has represented the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels.

2012: Recorded two assists in an MLS Reserve League match on April 22 against Vancouver ... Started and played 90 minutes in each of the team's first three MLS Reserve League games (March 27, April 10).

2010-11: Played his first professional season with German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s U-19 team … Saw action in 10 matches, totaling 435 minutes … Came on as a sub and played 20 minutes in a first-team friendly against German club VfR Aalen on July 10.

2009-10: Was enrolled in the Residency program of the Vancouver Whitecaps for a season before making the move to Hoffenheim.

INTERNATIONAL: Was one of 36 players called into camp with the U.S. U-20/U-23 National Team in Duisburg, Ger­many, from Nov. 7-15, 2011 … During the camp, made a substitute appearance in a scoreless draw against Azerbai­jan on Nov. 11 … Came off the bench to play 30 minutes for the U-20s in a 3-0 loss to the U-19 side for German club Bayer Leverkusen on Nov. 15 … First joined the U.S. youth system in 2005 with the U-14 National Team at the age of 12 … Was a member of the U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., for nearly three years from 2007-09 … Made 11 appearances overall with the U.S. U-17 National Team and scored two goals … During his time with the U-17s, competed in the Mondial Minimes Tournament in France and Toyota International Youth Football Champion­ship in Japan in 2007 … Helped the U-17s win the La Serena Cup in 2009, scoring a goal against host Chile (Feb. 1, 2009) during the tournament … Sustained a torn ACL on March 27, 2009, in a friendly against the Uruguay U-17 National Team, ruling him out of the U.S. squad for the 2009 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Mexico … Has been called into camp on multiple occasions with the U.S. U-20 National Team, earning his first call-up with that team in 2007 … Also represented the U.S. at the U-15 level, and participated in a camp in Argentina in 2007, in which he recorded three goals and an assist over four games.

PERSONAL: Born Charles Bimbe in Kalingalinga, Zambia … Moved to Edwardsville, Ill. in February 2003, where he was raised by his adopted parents Pamela and Seth Ren­ken … Played part of his youth career with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, receiving tournament MVP honors with its U-14 team at the Manchester United Premier Cup … Before agreeing to a deal with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, trained with English clubs Arsenal and Reading as well as German side 1860 Munich … Birth parents are mother Margaret and stepfather John Bimbe, who live in Zambia, and also has three brothers, Richard, Steven, and Peter.