U17s to Mercedes-Benz Aegean Cup, Jan. 17-22

2-1 vs Turkey in Turkey is nothing to be concerned about but all the results together are reflective of long term development teaching opportunities and evaluation. Somehow you divorce totally the correlation of ongoing development, training, talent, scouting and evaluation from the dozens of scores from games they play. At some point results over time do matter how our national development systems are progressing and do point to data points to improve upon or expand upon.

Point taken, although I'm not too concerned with the results I'm more concerned that we seem to give up goals on a regular basis.

Playing Turkey in Turkey must have got the blood pumping. I hope some of the the crazier fans did not show up, ha.

Early in the cycle I'm more forgiving than later in the cycle. If players are being evaluated, and they fail to perform, that is actually a positive result. We've learned something in that instance, which is part of the reason to play in matches like this.

Without seeing the game I can't make any conclusions or comments with regards to the quality of the performance.

For all I know our defenders could have positioned themselves well the whole contest, passed the ball out of the back nicely, dealt will all the crosses, etc..........only to concede two "fluky" goals on set-pieces or something.

I'm not worried about the scoreline.

If my assessment was based on one game I would agree with you but this is over a period of 6 or 7 games. At some point WC needs to evaulate other defenders too. We have had the same back 4 playing this cycle. We all know WC do not like to use multiple defenders (see world cup rosters) but it would be nice to see if there were someone else that could contribute. Not sure who else since V Bailey is no longer in camp.

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Presumably Wilmer isn't the one making those decisions right now.

We're in a bit of a "holding pattern" perhaps until the management structure in Bradenton is figured out.

I think it's worth considering how other nations are doing when looking at the value of a clean sheat. France gave up 5 goals in the three Nike Friendlies matches, and three more today. Our defense is not lock solid -- they've given up some fairly soft goals IMO -- but I don't see it as a major cause of concern at this point.

And while we all like to cling onto names we know, if VB was a better option than who we're playing, he would have shown it in the fall.

Junior Flores out with a concussion.

Vernon did play this past weekend for FCD's U16's. (alongside Kellyn Acosta)

So he does appear to be out of the Bradenton picture for now.

Wow............that concussion news blows for Flores. There were a lot of scouts at that tournament there to check him out.

How and when it didn't look like he was subbed

I've never said VB was a BETTER option. Whether he showed himself well in the fall, I have no idea but what I do know is one coach's trash is another coach's treasure.

Facebook, he posted he was concussed and out of the tournament.

Hopefully someone else picks up the slack and show their quality when given the opportunity. I'm sure there are some hungry players waiting for the chance.

too bad, hope he gets well soon

Several late goals in a 3-2 win for the United States over Denmark.

DeAndre Robinson scored the goal against Turkey. http://www.socceramerica.com/article/45314/cabreras-u-17-era-coming-to-close-in-turkey.html

"In the day's other match of Group A, USA defeated Denmark 3-2. The match was played in Turgutlu 7 Eylül Stadium and goals of USA were scored by Conor Donovan (Min. 40), Wesley Wade (Min. 76) and DeAndre Robinson (Min. 79). Denmark equalized the score twice with Mikkel Hansen (Min. 76) and Mads Raben (Min.77), but their efforts denied by USA."

http://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=471&ftxtID=14314

US needs a tie against the Czechs in order to make the semis.

Good to see Wade and someone with the last name donovan score.

Good result, we can get a win against the Czechs.

looks like both teams decided not to play defense for 4 minutes.

Can anyone guess who the next coach might be.

Czech Republic 4-0 USA. Poor result for Wilmer to leave with...

Agree ... something is lacking. Statistics speak for themselves.

http://www.futbol24.com/national/International/Aegean-Cup-U16/2012/Group-B/statistics/

I heard that the former ODP europe director (Sven) is at Bradenton right now. Wonder, if they are considering him for the position?

Ouch, I think I jinx that.

players leave bradenton for multiple reasons and many times its other than futbol. Why should a kid be penalized for not being on the squad bc he doesn't like the living situation or school situation? Oscar Pareja once told me personally that the optimal environment for development is consistent rigorous training and kid goes home to family and friends. No doubt. i know it is not always feasible or denied by logistics but that is reality.