For the guys without their own threads, or a catchall for recent info. Credit COMtnGuy for the idea, even though I liked it and he did not, LOL.
Good thread idea. Brooks and Green are the new dual-national flavors of the week. I'm really hoping for a liftoff from Gyau, Gatt, Lletjet, Wood, Wooten. Hoyos at OFi Crete. We need an element of youth, speed, creativity in the big team.
Great thread idea, and one I had considered pitching over the last couple months since the number of YAs has grown exponentially over the last 5 or so years. A nice little "sportscenter" for our YAs without having to check each individual thread.
At some point we might as well just call up Tijuana................. They're going to have more Americans in their 18 than a few MLS clubs!
Lol...giving Texas to Mexico would be akin to giving California, or at least all of southern California, to them. There are a massive number of prospects coming through the Texas youth ranks right now, acting like it wouldn't be a big deal is silly. Also, sorry for the OT but this was a bad post and I needed to respond.
We always here Europe/Mex isn't better as far as joining their academies because there's no proven track record of Americans breaking through. I always thought that was shortsided and you have to give this next generation, the generation which is going to academies in Europe/Mex time to break in and break through. And, I think in the next 2-3 years we're going to start seeing a number of success stories of Americans who've been in foreign academies for a couple years starting to break into 1st team action, and doing it in some very good leagues while still only 19/20/21. What's happening at Xolos while remarkable, is only a portion of the growing issue with the youth scene, which is that our top prospects are growing in number(great for the US) but are getting opportunities abroad and looking to leave at an also quickly growing rate(bad for MLS). I mean, what happens when there finally is that track record of success breaking through abroad? Raises confidence in the American player. Increases opportunities for others. Increases the likelihood other top prospects following suit. Will be interesting. What is good for our NT and NT prospects might not be good for MLS. And Xolos doesn't just have near or more Americans than some MLS teams(or will in the near future), but what is more concerning is they already have more and better American prospects than most MLS teams. Garza, Corona, Arriola, Guido, I mean, my local MLS team in SJ can't compete with that level of American prospects. And two great prospects from NorCal already went to a different Mex club in Joya and Cuevas. Actually, how many MLS teams have more American prospects, top prospects, young prospects than Xolos? And, the ones which do, are they supplying the same amount of playing time either with the 1st team or reserves? And that is a real issue here. Really, the MLS teams with as much American talent, LAG, SKC, maybe RSL/DCU/NE, they aren't stacked with prospects like Xolos. Omar/Landon aren't young prospects and get past that and Villareal/Zardes are good prospects, but I'd give Xolos the edge. SKC has American talent, but it aint young, Besler/Zusi being the best and guys like Sapong/Bunbury having their development fall off a cliff. It's actually shocking this isn't talked about more. We have a club south of the border with more top American prospects(not vets) offering more playing time than any MLS team. If I'm missing a team or two which is similar please point it out, but a team or two would just lend itself to the point that it's a problem. We should have numerous MLS teams providing what Xolos does.
BTW, Flores had 2 goals/3 assists in a friendly last week and was kept up with the U23's as a result. Baller.
Dallas might with John, Hedges, Zimmerman, Woodberry, Acosta, Baladez, Top etc except the coach won't play the young ones only the ones he drafts from college.
Too many prospects out of Texas, I should know. Move Bradenton to California and give them Florida. They are similarly shaped, except that Florida is full of crazy and Baja is wonderful.
Well that would be a shrewd bit of business. Florida is a depreciating asset. It'll be under water in 150 years. If we could get anything for it, I'd be impressed.
Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta6hKicker reporting that John Anthony Brooks has been called up by Klinsmann for the Bosnia game. A source close to Brooks confirms it to me