Juan Agudelo/America's next soccer star theads merged [R]

This kid looks like the real deal. Although he's 17, does anyone think he should get a call up to the USMNT sometime in the very near future (possibly against SA)?

Re: Juan Agudelo

The footwork in the box is excellent. The size is a bonus.

Jozy is a raw Beta version of what Agudelo is going to become.

Agudelo could've had a Najar-like season if given the chance.

Re: Juan Agudelo

I just posted in YNT I think he'll be on the 2014 roster, but I'd understand if he doesn't see the senior team for 2 years.

Re: Juan Agudelo

I'll refrain from calling him a future star (it's bad luck) but there's no question the kid has serious talent. He's tactically and technically gifted and those areas will increase with coaching and experience. What what you can't "teach" and what impresses me the most is his confidence. It's not cocky but it's a swagger and attitude that says "I'm going to beat you no matter what." He's lively but it's a controlled energy. Juan's not running to be running. He runs with a purpose and not like a chicken with his head cut off. Everything we saw tonight I've seen with the U20's. Juan's raw but that rawness will wear off with playing time. I seriously think with JP Angel gone next season he will flourish and have a breakout season. A good showing next season and at the U20 WC should parlay into a call up from the Senior team.

Re: Juan Agudelo

+1. He just seems like the perfect compliment to Jozy up top. Speed, quickness, the ability to deliver the ball on the money. Definitely the real deal.

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Just to put my mind at ease, theres no (or at least almost no) chance he jumps ship for Colombia. The bios all mention he was born there but don't say where he grew up and/or played youth ball before Red Bulls Academy/Millionarios.

Re: Juan Agudelo

I'm pretty sure that he's lived in the US since he was ~8. Colombia's coaches haven't really demonstrated much interest in calling in MLS players so I would think that he's safe in the short run.

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We better hope Colombia doesn't give him a call anytime soon...

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He participated in qualification for the U-20 WC, correct? If so he's provisionally cap-tied to the US and he would need a one time switch in order to play for Colombia.

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He looked good, but hes not cap ready yet. He needs time to develop as a player before the weight of expectations are thrust upon him.

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The most impressive play of all for me, was the play where he set up Ballouchey's wide-open chance in the second half. A cross came in and on the one-time volley did a no-look back-heel right to ballouchey which suprised everybody- That player with the flick was Agudelo. Thats the shit, you would see Henry do. But it was Agudelo. If anybody has video of it...please post, it was a thing of beauty.


Edit: Had to out the jump in the air part

Re: Juan Agudelo

of course he needs time, he had just 104 minutes of professional league experience before tonight (plus Open Cup I believe), but it's pretty rare to see a teenager look so impressive within his first five starts (and in a match of such pressure/magnitude).

Re: Juan Agudelo

For anyone who didn't see the game

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BseRDlRcEUk"]YouTube - 11/04/2010 MLS Cup Playoffs 2010 New York Red Bulls 1-3 San Jose Earthquakes.2nd Leg Highlights[/ame]

Re: Juan Agudelo

fyp, and he's not going anywhere

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That was unreal...whether he meant to do it or not I'm not sure.

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I hope he's mostly through with his physical growth and doesn't grow into some sort of lumbering tank.

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Maybe we should ask him.


Back in 2008/ early 2009 I remember seeing Agudelo do a Double Sombrero on a US U-17 defender. Similar to that famous Ronaldinho move with Barcelona


So i wouldent be shocked.

I know he had another backheel or 2 like that in the game, and was just toying with these MLS'ers all night.

Re: Juan Agudelo

None of our forwards looks cap ready.

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so true

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The most impressive play for me was one that totally failed. Agudelo had the ball at the edge of the area on the right, and Angel was calling for the ball at the top of the area. Agudelo shook him off and pointed him towards goal, and if Angel wasn't as slow as he's become, it would have been another easy finish.

Instead we're out of the playoffs. But I digress.

I'd like to see Agudelo called into the January camp, even if it's just for the experience, and not for actual playing time.

Re: Juan Agudelo

This.

Re: Juan Agudelo

We capped Jozy when he was 17-18.
We capped Donovan when he was 17-18.
We capped Bradley when he was 18.
We capped Convey when he was 17.
Hell, we capped Adu when he was 16.
There are a bunch more.

I see no reason not to bring Agudelo into the fold.

I don't suspect he'll be on the South Africa roster. There's a U20 camp at the end of November that he'll definitely be a part of. He could technically be at both, but let's give him a little break.

But why not camp cupcake? I'd rather see a potential future star like Agudelo go than some mediocre MLS 25 year-old plodder.

Re: Juan Agudelo

Confirming that you are more understanding than I am.

I have seen enough to fast-track Agudelo to the MNT, so I'll take the under on that two-year bet. In fact, I would be double-checking that he has a valid US passport and then booking his flight to South Africa at this very moment.

Expecting to learn from fellow posters that Altidore's situation (in November 2007, when BB put him on a plane to South Africa just following Altidore's 18th birthday) was "completely different," I will say that I favor now - as I favored then - the idea of "projection." [If someone asks me to expand on the concept, I will.]

I see no reason to wait - two years or two months.

Re: Juan Agudelo

They were both 18.

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And Juan Agudelo will turn 18 on Nov. 23rd

For me this is a no-brainer.

I'd rather call up Juan Agudelo to camp cupcake than Justin Braun, Steven Lenhart, or guys of that ilk.

Nothing against Justin and Steven, they're good players, but I truly think Agudelo has the potential to be special.