Does Gaitan have a brother named Pablo by any chance? If so, he's playing for another team in Argentina. http://us.soccerway.com/players/pablo-gaitan/234358/
Gaitan's a '95 as mentioned. Has Ramos mentioned if he's in his plans in regards to the current World Cup cycle?
Not really. The U20 midfield is tough to get into right now........................ I mean, the fact that Gaitan is playing professionally doesn't set him apart in that group.
Oh absolutely. I wasn't insinuating that he was set apart or should be in the group, but I was just curious as to if he has any current role as of late.
As of late? No. The US U20's have a camp/tournament in Carson coming up this month (with games against Chile, Australia, and Bermuda), and the roster could be announced this upcoming week. We'll just have to see who is invited.
Yes, I'm eager to see that roster and it should come out VERY soon seeing as that tournament is only 9 days away.
Posted on twitter on July 18: Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta · 3h RT @tphilipakos: US youth international Nico Gaitan, 19, has been promoted to OFI Crete's first team. His new coach: Gennaro Gattuso.
As spotted by @Clint Eastwood on the YNT forums -- is this our guy, with the Montreal reserves not long ago? MTL - Alec Kann^, Janouk Charbonneau*, Chakib Hocine*, Futty Danso, Krzysztof Krol; Louis Béland-Goyette, Nicolas Gaitan^ (Felipe 66’), George Malki^, Maxim Tissot, James Bissue; Fabio Morelli* http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2014/10/ligue-reserve-mls-chicago-1-0-impact
Looks like he's been training with a sixth-division club in Spain called "Brenes Balompie". Estreno de uniformes @ngaitan5 @J_BATi_STA @ALLIE_LONG pic.twitter.com/9A9suQEhJr— Brenes Balompié (@BRENESBALOMPIE) November 12, 2014
At that level it's - at best - 1,000 Euros per month plus two-guys-to-a-room shared accommodation. A portion of that money could be under the table, so no comeback if that portion doesn't materialize at the end of a month or two. Much as I hate the college system's effect on player development, when you read this kid's situation, its non-footballing advantages become rather apparent.
Gaitan appears to have actually signed with Brenes. He scored his first goal for the club yesterday, and the mention of "3 points" in the tweet suggests it was an official match. Contento por mi primer gol. Una lastima que no sacamos los 3 puntos pero a seguir para adelante #vamosbrenes— Nico Gaitan (@ngaitan5) November 23, 2014 Also, it appears there are at least two other Yanks at the club: http://molloylions.com/news/2014/11/18/MSOC_1118143332.aspx
It looks like Brenes Balompie plays in 3ª Andaluza Sevilla Group 1, which appears to be at the seventh tier. They were relegated from the sixth tier last season and are currently 16th of 18th in the seventh.
Jeeez.....you would think he'd at least try to work something out in the NASL or something else here in the US...
If this is semi-pro and they are getting free accommodation and just a per diem could you blame him? I mean the level is not of NASL but playing in Spain sure beats playing in Indy or any other city for that matter.
He's a soccer player though, not a world traveler. If you have the opportunity to play 7th division soccer in Spain or for Indy Eleven you play for Indy Eleven.
I'm not sure. The problem is that Indy Eleven probably plays on garbage turf field, and probably plays a hoof-and-chase style game. While 7th division Spain is probably not the prettiest, I'm guessing they at least have nice grass fields, sun, and put more emphasis on the passing game.