Abraham Romero at Pachuca

Had the pleasure of interviewing Romero about the switch:

http://www.everybodysoccer.com/even...national-explains-choosing-mexico-over-the-us

 

Very mature responses and decision making. Good for him.

 

This is exactly what I've been talking about in other threads. The FMF attracts dual-nationals to their program because of the environment they create. They move mountains to get the prospects they want, while we have the attitude that they should just want to play for us because we're the U.S. It's painfully arrogant, and short-sighted to believe our 'product' is superior enough to attract 'buyers' without going the extra mile with 'customer service and advertising'. Hell, Coca-Cola still has a large advertisement presence, and they don't need to anymore.

 

How close is this guy to playing for Pachuca's first team? Maybe a loan next? @LaMascara @Salmos

 

Also besides what @Salmos said, some rumors suggest that Yarbrough might go to Dallas so maybe he getd loand to Leon.

 

I didn't mean starting, BTW.

I was wondering how close he is to being notable towards Pachuca, not just their academy, whether thats CopaMX, bench, having developed enough to be sent out on loan.

Thanks for the updates though!

 

ESPN FC says Romero has had training stints at Porto and Mallorca. I can't find anything on the Porto one, but the Mallorca one happened about a year and a half ago. No doubt a quality goalkeeping prospect.
http://www.espnfc.com/team/mexico/2...-liege-underlines-desire-to-succeed-in-europe

 

He's registered with Pachuca's first team for 2017-18.
http://www.ligabancomer.mx/cancha/jugador/121954/eyJpZENsdWIiOiA0M30=/abraham-isai-romero-gonzalez

I think he has a good shot to eventually be El Tri's #1 and be the first American-born-and-raised player to be a consistent starter for them. It may still be a while, though, as Mexico seems to prefer veteran keepers. For better or for worse, they might go with Memo Ochoa through 2022, and perhaps a guy like Gonzalez (Monterrey) or Gudino (Tijuana) is handed the job by then. I do believe Romero has the potential to be Mexico's best keeper by the time he reaches his early-mid 20s and likely takes over at Pachuca, he probably has more upside than Gonzalez or Gudino, I just wonder whether El Tri will allow him that shot before he's close to age 30.

 

Maybe he'll be like Jesse Gonzalez lol

 

I suppose it shouldn't be ruled out. Obviously, the US looks stacked with young keepers at this point, either starting professionally with a first-division club (including one for a UEFA CL club) or with a prominent USSDA or European academy/reserve team. And additional insurance in USL, NCAA, etc. They most probably won't need Romero. But what if a lot of them don't pan out as expected, and the US would like Romero to be one of their top 3 or so keepers, and he is good enough for the USMNT by his early 20s, but Mexico isn't willing to call him up until his late 20s? That's exactly what happened with Jesse Gonzalez.

 

On the topic of Romero possibly (albeit unlikely) switching back to the US one day, here are a couple interesting photos I found.


This is the last time the US capped Romero, with our U17s vs. Canada in late 2013. Some interesting players in that lineup. Pulisic, who stars for Borussia Dortmund. Adams, who starts in MLS and is drawing overseas interest. Arellano, who captained the US at the 2015 U17 WC and has made his MLS debut. Zendejas, who, for now, has spurned US youth teams for the opportunity to play with Chivas.


This is the last time he was on a US roster, as a backup keeper for the 2013 Nike Friendlies, which the US won. He's the one waving the US flag on the right-hand side.

 

FWIW I interviewed Romero last year about his switch

http://www.everybodysoccer.com/even...national-explains-choosing-mexico-over-the-us

 

That may very well be true, but there's also a thought process that he saw that he was 3rd choice in his age group with the NT, and 2nd choice at his club team.

 

I don't think any serious player extrapolates the pecking order at the U17 level to the senior level. Not to mention Romero's talent is undeniable. He was great then and he's done even better with Mexico's U20s. Fwiw, I heard rumors of bullying while he was with the US so I'd wager there was more going on there than we actually know.

 

But he didn't mention anything about the senior level, neither did I. A lot of these players are opportunists, they'll play for the team that helps get them exposure. Could've been that Romero didn't like his situation with the US U-17's and LAG Academy where he was not first choice (and with the US U-17's not even second choice).

He had previously stated publicly that he felt bullied. Hard to really say whether thats true or not. And I completely agree that he's a very good talent. I think he's much better than Will Pulisic who was ahead of him in the pecking order with the US U-17's. How much of Will's strange ascension within that cycle and then to Dortmund was because of Christian? I can't say that I thought he earned much of it. I'll still take Silva ahead of Romero. And I think its too early to tell whether LAG made a smart choice picking Lopez over Romero, Lopez is a year younger, and is doing pretty well.

 

It'll be interesting to see where Romero actually ends up this season, regardless of his first-team registration. If he just sits on Pachuca's first-team bench, that may not be that good for him, though it may have benefits to be in that first-team environment and training. If he drops down to Pachuca's U20s or reserves, he's better than those levels, but at least he'd get regular playing time. A loan to Ascenso MX would be nice if he can start, but it might turn into another Richard Sanchez-like situation where the loan team is simply unwilling to play the newcomer. I'd say the Ascenso loan is best if he can pick a team with GK troubles.

The fact that Romero was nothing more than a backup with our YNT program may have factored in the switch, but he also seems to me a guy who just wanted to represent Mexico more. I'd guess he'd have decided to switch to Mexico anyway when they came calling, even if he were our U17's #1. It doesn't mean he dislikes the US, and it doesn't mean there's no chance he'd switch back if a US senior opportunity is offered before El Tri is willing to. Jesse Gonzalez is with the USMNT despite saying he preferred Mexico, and he never even played for our youth teams.

In the end, my guess is that the US won't want or need Romero (we really do have many promising options -- heck, Ethan Horvath already starts at a superior club to Memo Ochoa), and after his Mexico youth eligiblity expires after 2020, he will endure a five to eight year span before becoming El Tri's #1.