Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread There's a bias amongst posters against NCAA players, because outside of the youth stars like Koroma............most of us don't know them very well. But at this point in the cycle I'm fairly confident there isn't a bias amongst the coaching staff one way or another. They're casting a wide net, and will figure it out as they go along.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Interview with Sean Cunningham He talks about moving back to central defense, the problems at Stabaek, his future at Molde, and the US U20 team CUNNINGHAM AIMING FOR BREAKOUT
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Thanks Shredder -- good interview! Maybe we'll see both Cunningham and Ocegueda on the pitch together for the U.S..
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Centerback is loaded this cycle. Brooks is a pro and top prospect. Cunningham and Packwood have been moved to centerback from other positions by their club teams. And I wouldn't sell short a couple very good college freshmen--Walker Zimmerman and Christian Dean--that Tab called up for the last camp.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Whoops totally forgot about Brooks. Likely going to be a key piece for this cycle. Maybe something like ----------------Packwood-- Ocegueda-Cunningham-Brooks--RB
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Pelosi isn't a defensive midfielder is he? I would see him as leftback, left midfield and #8 material.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread I can't believe I'm actually about to type this sentence....... We are loaded at left back. Wow, that just feels weird.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread My bad I thought Pelosi played there at the U-17 WC, but Packwood still has to compete with Nicolas Gaitan and Matt Dunn
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Yep, competition is never bad. Long way to go but so far Gaitan hasn't been in a camp (again I stress early), while Dunn I think just had his first appearance in Florida and Packwood was in the combined Euro camp in Germany.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread He played as a left mid at the U-17 WC. Has played left mid/left back with Liverpool this year. Looking at something like this: ----------------Cropper-------------------- RB------Brooks------Cunningham---Oceguenda ----------------Packwood------------------ RM (Hurzeler?)---Gil--------------------Pelosi ----------Salgado-------Kiesewetter--------
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread Well imagine if we had two dual nationals in Potts and Henley. Henley isn't a natural left back but could play there. Potts, Henley, Ocegueda, Pelosi, Cunningham could all be there. WEIRD
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread It's still early and we are almost sure to look stupid in a year. But I love making silly useless lineup projections, so I added two pieces to yours that you left open.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread I think Bijev will overtake Salgado Just a hunch. Caleb Stanko has played well in his first few camps. McCargo is not bad either.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread K Acosta..dude has game and don't count guys like Hynmann and Fehr out a lot can change between now and 2013
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread We have a solid-looking base of pros. It's not just the fancy-sounding clubs next to their names; most seem to be doing well and aren't just warm bodies / organizational soldiers. Brooks and Kiesewetter are playing up with Hertha II while still eligible for Hertha's U19 team. Ocegueda played up with Tigres U20 last season while eligible for the U17 team and made the bench in Copa Libertadores. Packwood and Cropper have made cameos on the bench for the first team. Gil has been playing for the first team and Salgado and especially Cunningham could get time in 2012. Pelosi has had strong early reviews at Liverpool, etc. No guarantees and there will be attrition, but there are positive signs. All that being said, I'm looking forward to Tab Ramos' evaluation process, especially regarding the college & HS players who are generally lesser known in these parts. At this point in the cycle, a sizable percentage of our top U20 talent is in the amateur ranks and I'd expect players from that group to supplant some of those listed above. BTW -- from what I can tell, Ramos has called up 30 amateur players. Of these 14 have connections to MLS academies that I know of, and two others will probably go pro abroad (Fehr & Guido). Dallas -- Ambrose, Okwuonu, Garcia, Guzman Salt Lake -- Phanuel Kavita (?) LA -- Javan Torre Seattle -- DeAndre Yedlin, Sean Okoli New York -- Bolu Akinyode, Dan Metzger DC -- Jalen Robinson, Collin Martin Columbus -- Wil Trapp Chicago -- Andrew Oliver (?) The cream of the amateur crop should have more opportunities to go pro than ever before between the academy connection and the GA program, which is good to see. But like Kelyn Rowe showed last cycle, if you are good enough, you are good enough.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread What is the deal with Mobi Fehr. He has a Swiss and Japanese passport, so he should have more opportunity to sign abroad before 18, unlike say Guido.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread The idea of having depth at LB and being thin at RB is something I'm going to need time to get used to. Man how times change. Also the infulx of creative and positive talent in the midfield is a fantastic thing to witness.
Re: 2013 U-20 World Cup Roster Thread I've seen Guido play only a few times. Can someone fill me in on where he would fit in with the increasing number of quality mids (Villarreal, Renken etc.) in this cycle. Also what about Kellen Gulley? We have some good forwards but does anyone see him competing (successfully) with guys like Salgado, Bijev, Kiesewetter and Koroma?