Youth Yanks Abroad 2011/12 Update

Gringos in Mexico: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/07/12/gringo-report-four-young-americans-watch-mexico

Guido, Joya and Garza have all been discussed here at one time or another. However, Morales is a relative unknown, and inasmuch as he plays for Chivas Guadalajara his chances of playing for a U.S. nat'l team are considerably lower than for the others.

I didn't know where else to put this:
Pro Prospects: SuperElite Tour Update

This summer’s tour is slightly different with only four players making the trek across the Atlantic. U.S.F.C. Technical Director Jon Spencer explained what changed for this season and why.
“We are excited about the chance each one of them will have to play in front of clubs, scouts, and technical directors from all across Europe,” Spencer added. “The reason we changed the format (ie. the number of players) this year was to cater to the demands of European clubs.
“The four guys we are bringing are prepared and ready to go to Europe.”
Spencer and the players left on July 18 for the start of the trip and expected to stay over there until the end of the month.
2012 SuperElite Roster:
William Raygoza, LA Galaxy Academy, midfielder
The UCLA verbal commit has attracted plenty of interest from European clubs in the past. Raygoza was one of the stars of the Galaxy’s trip to Spain earlier this year. The silky smooth center midfielder is a regular with the U18 Men’s National Team.
Travis Wannemuehler, Indiana United Fire Academy, winger
The NC State verbal commit is a speed demon on the flanks. Wannemuehler scored eight goals (and assisted on a number of others) in 23 games this season in USSF Development Academy play. He has appeared with the U.S. U18 MNT in the past.
Steve Eneme, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, forward
Eneme is a big target forward who has an excellent touch and natural ability to finish around the net. He gave his verbal commit to Santa Clara earlier this year. The striker scored eight goals in 19 Academy games this season to lead SSM U16 in scoring.
Andy Lopez, Lonestar SC, forward
Andy Lopez is the younger brother of SuperElite alum Mikey Lopez. Andy Lopez, who is taller than his older brother, scored six goals in 25 Academy games this season. Lopez played up an age group with the U18 team during the end of the season where he netted a hat trick to clinch a berth into the playoffs for Lonestar SC.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/pro-prospects:-superelite-tour-update_aid24682

The one player I've watched a lot is Raygoza. He's technically sound, smooth dribbler, passes well, reads the game well. He has a slight build, and can get ridden off the ball, and needs to be more explosive. If a Euro club signs him they'll no doubt put him on a weight-training/plyometric program to improve those areas of his game.

how on earth is LAG on board with this sort of thing? they are cool with their youth academy product getting pimped out to euro clubs who might sign him leaving LAG without any compensation? i'd think the MLS academies wouldn't want their kids on things like this.

I don't think MLS teams can do anything about it. Their academy players aren't under contract, both due to cost and a desire to maintain NCAA eligibility. The MLS homegrown rules only apply within the league. We're starting to see more 15, 16 and 17 year olds get signed in MLS to prevent foreign clubs from poaching them later. Of course, often those kids are dual nationals so they can leave for a pro contract before 18 (like FC Dallas's horde of Mexican-American homegrowns).

Thus you see a lot of this: the best prospects look to go over to Europe. Jose Villareal tested the waters over there before signing with the Galaxy. Going to Europe and getting an offer helps improve the players' leverage when they negotiate with MLS squads. Of course, many do legitimately want to go, and there's really nothing that can stop them.

If the Galaxy want to prevent Raygoza from going abroad all they need to do is sign him to a homegrown contract.

If they're not going to do that (or Raygoza wouldn't sign one), then there's nothing the Gals can do about it.

MLS teams are not geared to keeping all their talent plus limited resources to develop teenagers between 18-22. They all know this and won't stand in way of kids opportunity if they can't offer him one. This is going to be increasing trend as the excellent player pool from our new found stride starts expanding. The MLS and whole USA soccer culture and amateurism is going have to adapt to this wave.

Unquestionably.

To be honest, as USMNT and USYNT fans we should want these foreign clubs grabbing these kids right now.

There's limited roster slots available to kids in MLS right now. FCD has already signed 7...................and had to let Emerson Hyndman go to Fulham, and have 4-5 of their US youth internationals NCAA or NCAA bound (Okwuono, Ambrose, Garcia, Woodberry, etc.) The Gals just lost Mario Rodriguez to Kaiserslautern right? Sorto was training at Hammarby. Just the nature of the beast at the moment.

In effect we have an enormous pool of potential prospects, and pro opportunities for a precious few.

Raygoza is the kind of kid who "could" be a homegrown signing. TDS has him ranked as the 10th best 2013 prospect. This is after Fagundez, Pfeffer, McBean, Jordan Allen of RSL, Russell Canouse of Hoffenheim, Kellyn Acosta, Paul Arriola, Marco Delgado of ChivasUSA, and Collin Martin of DCU.

Most of those kids have gone pro already........................

Take those rankings with a grain of salt, but we're talking about a kid who's an upper echelon elite prospect. If he's that good, LAG may indeed want to wrap him up if there's foreign interest.

Just a heads up

I believe neither kid got into the game, but they must be somewhat close to a debut.

Guido started and went 71' in Copa MX tonight

Would love to see him in the middle of our U17s, though if he's not it gives another kid a chance to shine.

Was he even 5'0" when he left for Fulham? Now is 5'4"

I guess he might be a little old to still be considered a Youth Yank...........but I thought this was of interest:

A little Gyau news from Dan Bu on twitter: "TSG Hoffenheim's Joseph-Claude Gyau on trial at FC St. Pauli.#USMNT"

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/keeper-cropper-signs-permanently-345724.aspx

Cody Cropper signs 2-year deal at Southampton.

Pelosi scores a brace for Liverpool's U21s in 2-2 draw vs. Man City. Highlight of one of the goals:

He is playing up top now?

93' Hector "Benji" Joya on the bench tonight for Santos for their match against America