EJ Stone & Dir U20's Spain Tournament

[inferno man]

Rongen Names 20 Players for U-20 Tournament in Spain 8/15/02 12:48 AM
CHICAGO (Thursday, August 15, 2002) – U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen has selected 20 players for the U.S. Under-20s trip to Valencia, Spain, where they will participate against some of the top youth national teams in the world at the XIX Torneo Internacional de Futbol de l’Alcudia from August 24-29. The U.S. team will depart for Spain on August 19 and plays in the tournament opener on August 24 against Brazil. The U.S. follows up against Italy on August 26 and then concludes Group B play on August 27 against Ukraine. The tournament’s Group A is comprised of Spain, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Gabon.

The tournament in Spain will be the Under-20s final international games before World Youth Championship qualifying kicks off in the U.S. on November 13. U.S. Soccer will host one of two final CONCACAF groups. “Any time you get a chance to play great teams like Brazil, Italy and Ukraine, you know it will help your team,” said Rongen. “This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the upcoming qualifying tournament.”

The USA has posted a 10-5-9 record this year, recording 11 shutouts in 24 matches. Mike Magee has paced the team with nine goals in just 13 appearances (seven starts), including the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Canada on January 9. Midfielder Ricardo Clark (Furman) has been one of the team’s most consistent performers, seeing time in 17 of the team’s first 20 matches.

Eleven of the 20 players Rongen named were members of the 2001 Under-17 World Championship team, including Magee. This Under-20 squad will be without two of their top offensive players, as D.C. United’s duo of Santino Quaranta (abdominal hernia surgery) and Bobby Convey (club commitment) will not make the trip to Spain. Major League Soccer will send five players (Devin Barclay – San Jose Earthquakes, Craig Capano – Chicago Fire, Eddie Johnson – Dallas Burn, Justin Mapp – D.C. United and Jordan Stone – Dallas Burn) on the trip, and two of the players named to the team are currently playing professionally in Europe (David Johnson – Willem II – Holland, Raul Palomares – Osijek - Croatia).
The top two teams in each group in Spain will advance to the semifinals on August 28. On Aug 29 the semifinal winners meet for the championship, the semifinal losers play for third place, the two third-place finishers from each group play for fifth place and the two fourth-place finishers from each group play for seventh place.

XIX Torneo Internacional de Futbol de l’Alcudia
Group A
Aug. 24: Spain vs. Costa Rica
Aug. 25: Uruguay vs. Spain
Aug. 25: Gabon vs. Costa Rica
Aug. 26: Uruguay vs. Gabon
Aug. 27: Costa Rica vs. Uruguay
Aug. 27: Spain vs. Gabon
Group B
Aug. 24: United States vs. Brazil
Aug. 24: Ukraine vs. Italy
Aug. 25: Italy vs. Brazil
Aug. 26: United States vs. Italy
Aug. 26: Brazil vs. Ukraine
Aug. 27: United States vs. Ukraine

U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team
Ambersley, Mike F 5'7" 155 02/14/83 Ballwin, Mo. Indiana University
Barclay, Devin F 5'9" 165 04/09/83 Annapolis, Md. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Cameron, Knox F 6'3" 205 09/17/83 Bronx, N.Y. University of Michigan
Capano, Craig M 5'6" 135 07/07/85 Hyde Park, N.Y. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Clark, Ricardo M 5'10" 140 05/21/83 Jonesboro, Ga. Furman University
Cochrane, Ryan D 6'0" 155 08/08/83 Portland, Ore. Santa Clara University
Cronin, Steve GK 6'2" 190 05/28/83 Fair Oaks, Calif. Santa Clara University
Grabavoy, Ned M 5'6" 145 07/01/83 New Lenox, Ill. Indiana University
Harvey, Jordan D 5'10" 160 01/28/84 Mission Viejo, Calif. Irvine Strikers
Johnson, David M 5'11" 160 01/16/84 Venice, Calif. Willem II (Holland)
Johnson, Ed F 6'0" 170 03/31/84 Palm Coast, Fla. Dallas Burn (MLS)
Klaas, Craig Jared D 5'7" 165 08/23/83 Cherry Valley, Ill. University of Washington
Lancos, Chris D 6'1" 170 07/12/84 Belford, N.J. University of Maryland
Magee, Mike F 5'9" 150 09/02/84 Long Grove, Ill. Chicago Sockers
Mapp, Justin M 5'11" 160 10/18/84 Brandon, Miss. D.C. United (MLS)
Marshall, Chad D 6'2" 165 08/22/84 Riverside, Calif. Irvine Strikers
Palomares, Raul M 5'11" 160 02/06/83 Inglewood, Calif. NK Osijek (Croatia)
Simo, Chefik D 6'1" 185 02/28/84 Plano, Texas Furman University
Stone, Jordan M 5'9" 145 03/16/83 Allen, Texas Dallas Burn (MLS)
Williams, Ford GK 6'3" 190 02/20/84 Raleigh, N.C. CASL Elite
Head Coach: Thomas Rongen
Assistant Coach: Cle Kooiman
Goalkeeper Coach: Dave Dir

[Viking64]

From the 24th to the 29th, they only have a game the 24th. So on the whole, it's not soo bad. But I expect both EJ and Stone to get a start somewhere in the week of death, with this schedule:

Aug 24th, Galaxy
Sept. 1, at Rapids
Sept. 3, at Galaxy (USOC)
Sept. 5, Metro

A game every other day, 3 in five days.

The USSF should be fired.

[DigitalTron]

The Open Cup game against the Galaxy on September 5th will likely be a 90 minute affair for Johnson and Stone. Johnson may also see time as a sub in the September 5th game agaisnt the Metro.

-Tron

[Pegasus]

Originally posted by DigitalTron
The Open Cup game against the Galaxy on September 5th will likely be a 90 minute affair for Johnson and Stone. Johnson may also see time as a sub in the September 5th game agaisnt the Metro.

-Tron

I'm not sure I agree with you here Tron. Jeffries may think the Open Cup game is the most important out of the three and therefore most of the starters may play. He may go for a draw in one of the MLS games and field a very defensive line up for that one.

[burning247]

Originally posted by Pegasus


I'm not sure I agree with you here Tron. Jeffries may think the Open Cup game is the most important out of the three and therefore most of the starters may play. He may go for a draw in one of the MLS games and field a very defensive line up for that one.

I'm with you on that one Pegasus. We need that win against the Gals, and it's going to be tough because its in California. I still wanna know how they decide where each game is being played.

[Bethlehem]

Pegasus is correct. The Open Cup game is more important particularly since a win puts the team in the final and in the money.

[Pegasus]

Originally posted by burning247


I still wanna know how they decide where each game is being played.

I believe each team makes bids. As much fun as the 'Pids game was there weren't very many fans and it would be hard to beat any decent bid from the 'Gals.

[DigitalTron]

Those guys need to play the majority of minutes sometime, and if you play the starters for the second of the three games, then they'll be very tired and probably not play well. Also, there is no way they will be able to play the third game, so basicly you'll have the young guns for the third game and very very tired regulars for the open cup. I doubt seriously that Jeffries does that.

The only other option would be to let the young guys play BOTH the first and third games and save the regulars for the open cup ... which I also seriously doubt that Jeffries does.

Unless he plays the young guys for the second game he will need to play a mixture of youth and starters for every game, which is possible, but I'd still see Johnson and Stone playing in the Open Cup if that is the case.

-Tron

[inferno man]

U.S. Soccer to Host Under-20 Qualifying in Charleston, S.C.

Courtesy of the Charleston Battery
19.August.2002


CHICAGO (Monday, August 19, 2002) - Qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Youth Championship being hosted by U.S. Soccer will be staged in Charleston, S.C., at Blackbaud Stadium from November 13-17, 2002. This marks the first time in 22 years that U.S. Soccer has hosted an Under-20 qualifying tournament.

The four-team, Group B qualifying tournament will feature the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team, as well as Canada and the second-place team from Central America and the winner from the Caribbean playoff between the Group B and Group C champions, in a six-game, round-robin tournament. The top two finishers in Group B group will advance to the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates from March 25-April 16, 2003. This region's other final round qualifying tournament will be held in Panama from October 16-20, 2002.

"We've been training and preparing for this event for almost a year now, and I think this team is ready for the challenge ahead of us," said U.S. Under-20 head coach Thomas Rongen. "We have a nice mix of college and professional players, and I think Blackbaud Stadium and the fans there will help us reach our goal of qualifying for next year's world championship."

The U.S. Under-20 MNT have posted a 10-5-9 record in 2002, scoring nearly twice as many goals as their opposition (39-20). While a roster will not be released until the tournament approaches, this pool of Under-20s (players born since January 1, 1983) includes a blend of MLS players, European professionals, and college players.

Several players who are eligible for selection to Rongen's squad are currently playing in Major League Soccer, including Devin Barclay (San Jose Earthquakes), Craig Capano (Chicago Fire), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), Justin Mapp (D.C. United), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United), Miguel Saavedra (Chicago) and Jordan Stone (Dallas Burn).

The team also includes a plethora of players who have had already had success in youth qualifying tournaments. Convey, who has played with the U.S. Under-20s since 2000, scored three goals in the 2001 qualifying tournament in Trinidad & Tobago to help the U.S. secure a spot in the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. Eddie Johnson, one of 11 U.S. players who were a part of team that qualified for and played in the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship and have seen extensive time with the Under-20s this year, is expected to play a major role for the U.S. in Charleston. Johnson, who has scored twice in limited play with the Under-20s in 2002, scored five goals in the final two games of the 2001 Under-17 World Championship qualifying tournament, including a hat trick in the deciding game.

Charleston Battery President, Nigel Cooper,
"Hosting a tournament of this magnitude further reinforces the status of Blackbaud Stadium as one of the premier Soccer facilities in the country. This event continues the Charleston Battery's commitment to bringing the highest level soccer events to Charleston. We're extremely excited at the prospect of seeing the future stars of US Soccer right here on our doorstep."

This tournament marks the first time since 1980 that U.S. Soccer has hosted an Under-20 qualifying tournament. Last year U.S. Soccer hosted the 2001 Under-17 Group A qualifying tournament in St. Louis, Mo. Led by Eddie Johnson, the U.S. Under-17s qualified for their ninth consecutive Under-17 World Championship by finishing atop the group.

CONCACAF Under-20 Qualifying Tournaments
Final Round (Top Two Teams In Each Group Advance to 2003 World Youth Championship)
Group A - October 16-20, 2002 (Panama): Panama, Mexico, 1st Place Central America, Winner Caribbean A/D
Group B - November 13-17, 2002 (Charleston, S.C.): United States, Canada, 2nd Place Central America, Winner Caribbean B/C
Central America (Top Two Teams Advance to Final Qualifying) - Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua
Caribbean (Winner of A Plays Winner of D; Winner of B Plays Winner of C; Winner A/D and Winner B/C advance to Final Qualifying)
Group A: Trinidad & Tobago (winner)
Group B: Cayman Islands (host); Jamaica; Puerto Rico
Group C: St. Kitts & Nevis (host); Antigua & Barbuda; Bahamas; Haiti
Group D: Saint Lucia (host); Cuba, Dominica, Grenada

[inferno man]

L'ALCUDIA, Spain (Saturday, August 24, 2002) - A ten-man United States Under-20 Men's National Team fought valiantly and led midway through the second half, but surrendered two late goals to lose 2-1 to an older Brazil team in the opening match of the C.O.T.I.F XIX Torneig Internacional in L'Alcunia, Spain.

“I was pleased with our effort tonight against a talented Brazilian team, but I was not pleased with the result”, said U.S. Under-20 head coach Thomas Rongen. “We did do certain things well in this game, and I think we gave ourselves a nice point to start at, and now we need to build on this for the coming games.”

The U.S. went to ten men when defensive midfielder Ricardo Clark was shown his second caution of the match in the 34th minute.
A tough U.S. backline, anchored by the solid play of centerbacks Chad Marshall and Ryan Cochrane, held Brazil scoreless for the first hour. Marshall and Cochrane seemed to win everything in their area and forced the South Americans into launching shots from well outside the penalty area.

The U.S. shocked the crowd when they went ahead early in the 52nd minute. EDDIE JOHNSON'S defensive work gave the U.S. the ball deep in Brazil’s half. Defender C.J. Klaas launced a cross from the right side that found David Johnson running to the back post in the penalty area. David Johnson outjumped Edno at the backpost and headed the ball back across the goal, giving Brazilian goalkeeper Diego no chance.

Brazil answered shortly thereafter, scoring in the 63rd and again in the 66th minute.
The U.S. nearly pulled out an injury-time equalizer on the final corner kick of the game. EDDIE JOHNSON'S header was cleared from the goalmouth

EDDIE JOHNSON had the USA’s best chance early, rising above two Brazilian defenders to head a David Johnson cross inches wide of the near post. The Dallas Burn forward caused problems all evening long for the Brazilian defense with his speed.

The C.O.T.I.F. tournament will be the Under-20s final international games before World Youth Championship qualifying kicks off at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., from November 13-17. The top two teams from the four-team qualifying tournament in Charleston will qualify for the 2003 World Youth Championship in United Arab Emirates from March 25-April 16, 2003.

Devin Barclay wore the captain’s armband for the U.S. ... Steve Cronin is the only U.S. player to play every minute of all six international matches in 2002.

U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team Game Report
Participants: U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team (‘83s) vs. Brazil (‘82s)
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny
Attendance: 2,000
** Match Played With 40-minute Halves**

USA – David Johnson (C.J Klaas), 52.
BRA – Tavares, 63. BRA – Walker (Caca) 66.

Lineups:
USA - 1-Steve Cronin; 4-Chefik Simo (20-Mike Magee, 74), 5-Ryan Cochrane, 14-Chad Marshall, 8-C.J. Klaas; 3-Justin Mapp (2-JORDON STONE, 41), 11-Ricardo Clark, 10-Ned Grabavoy (17-Raul Palomares, 64), 15-David Johnson; 13-Devin Barclay, 7-EDDIE JOHNSON
Subs not used: 6-Jordan Harvey, 12-Chris Lancos, 16-Knox Cameron, 18-Ford Williams, 19-Mike Ambersley, 21-Craig Capano.

[The Wanderer]

EJ scored a penatly against Italy and Barclay of San Jose scored the second one to give the boys a 2-1 win over a slightly older Italian team.

They drilled a young Ukranian team 5-2 with former U17 Magee hitting four goals. No wonder Ajax is taking a hard look at signing him:)

They're in the semis against Uruguay. FYI the tournament is in Valencia, Spain.

[inferno man]

Originally posted by The Wanderer
EJ scored a penatly against Italy and Barclay of San Jose scored the second one to give the boys a 2-1 win over a slightly older Italian team.

EJ also got the assist on Barclay's goal.

[Northside Rovers]

Are Stone and EJ going to be back by the time we begin this 3 games in 5 days nonsense?

[Rocket]

The U.S. U-20's will play their last game of the tournament tommorrow on Thurs, Aug. 29.

While it's possible we may see EJ on the bench for Sun.'s game vs. Colorado, I'd guess its most likely that Stone and Johnson don't play for the Burn until the Open Cup game in Fullerton on Tues., Sept 3.

[sweeper33]

Originally posted by vw

While it's possible we may see EJ on the bench for Sun.'s game vs. Colorado, I'd guess its most likely that Stone and Johnson don't play for the Burn until the Open Cup game in Fullerton on Tues., Sept 3.

Will that game be televised?

[Rocket]

The Open Cup game vs. LA will be televised on Fox Sports World.

According to El Jefe's match schedule thread, the Rapids game will not be televised. However, FoxSports1190 radio will be broadcasting that game.