Once the bitter disappointment of "what could have been" in this World Cup passes over, US fans must get ready for a fantastic young team. Key young players 25 and younger: Jozy Altidore (age 20) Villareal Michael Bradley (age 22) Borussia Mönchengladbach Alejandro Bedoya (age 23) Örebro Jonathan Bornstein (age 25) Atlante Geoff Cameron (age 24) Houston Charlie Davies (age 23) Sochaux Maurice Edu (age 24) Rangers Benny Feilhaber (age 25) AGF Aarhus Robbie Findley (age 24) Salt Lake Brad Guzan (age 25) Aston Villa Stuart Holden (age 24) Bolton Sacha Kljestan (age 24) Anderlecht Robbie Rogers (age 23) Columbus Jonathan Spector (age 24) West Ham United Jose Torres (age 22) Pachuca In my opinion, these are not "maybe they will work out" players. These are players already part of the fold, even if they could not break into the final 23. Then you have these key veterans, all of whom should be expected to return assuming health. Not all will play starting roles, but I expect each to play some role: Ricardo Clark (age 27) Eintracht Frankfurt Clint Dempsey (age 27) Fulham Landon Donovan (age 28) Los Angeles Clarence Goodson (age 28) IK Start Tim Howard (age 31) Everton Oguchi Onyewu (age 28) AC Milan Finally, you have the potential players, a pool that includes guys like Adu, Agbossoumonde, Bowen, Diskerud, Franklin, Gaven, Gil, Gonzales, Jeffrey, Lichaj, McCarty, Opara, Ream, and Stephens. Some of these guys will work out. Some will not. Some will seemingly come from nowhere to be key factors. The 2010 Team was a shade too young. The 2014 Team will be the best US Team ever, and fans should look forward to a fun next cycle.
Completely agree with you Susaeta. I remember saying even 6 months ago how 2014 will be our true time to shine and that our core was just slightly too young. A few of those guys will probably be at big 4 teams in big 4 leagues by 2014 and the others should be solid. I'm excited. 2014!
FYP, now I agree. The generation listed in the OP probably won't be good enough to be a legitimate threat, but I would expect them to make the 2nd round and QFs
This is very true. Our group completely was just too young and because of this we gave up so many early goals and made so many amateur mistakes. We have 4 years to see them develop and become perhaps the greatest generation of American Soccer.
We need a good coach for this cycle. We cant let all this talent go to waste. There are so many players that could break out that I have no clue who will be starting.
I honestly believe only one country has a legitimate chance to win the World Cup in 2014. Everyone else will be fighting for second place.
the current u20s is by far the most talented and deep group ive seen yet. and yes that includes the 07 squad. We have more talent in top academies in europe ,mexico etc.. in the current u20s.Law of averages leads me to believe that some of the them will have to break out. THE FUTURES BRGHTER THAN EVER BEFORE. IM EXCITED TO BE A NATS FAN FOR THE FUTURE
Are you really going to pretend Bornstein didn't have a fantastic tournament? He was probably the greatest surprise player on this team.
The golden age of no stars? Well at least we have arrived and it looks like there is no way to fall down. Should be challenging to become an out of the group stage with consistency country.
Haha, if we have Clarence Goodson in the squad in 4 years time, then something went very wrong. No disrespect to the guy as he's done well to get this far, but I'm still not sold. Dont forget Jermaine Jones, he'll just be 32 and hopefully injury free. The future is indeed bright, I feel a lot better going forward this time than I did when we went out in 2006.