YNT-eligible lower-division pro players: 2019/2020 Offseason thread

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by Dave Marino-Nachison, Nov 18, 2019.

  1. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Snip:

    Philadelphia Union owner Jay Sugarman did not hold back when discussing the intentions of his team’s USL Championship affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC.

    In a wide-ranging interview with Pro Soccer USA on Wednesday, Sugarman made it clear what the second-division side have to be.

    “It’s development first and commercial considerations second,” Sugarman said. “We need this team to be developing top-tier players. Full stop.”
    https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/ph...sugarman-outlines-bethlehem-steel-priorities/
     
  2. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  3. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Also, how about that new teammate of his, Sam Strong! One of the more interesting footnotes of recent YNT history.
     
  4. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
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  5. Sombrerito

    Sombrerito Member

    Arsenal
    United States
    May 6, 2018
    He’s still relatively young. If he does good for the Monarchs he could get his chance at an MLS contract
     
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  6. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Here's a feature on the news:

    “I started to get the hang of it really fast because I really wanted to play,” Avila said. “It was my first year playing on a pro team. It was kind of a big challenge for me because I wasn’t used to the professional environment. The competition was good. I’ve never backed down from playing older people because I used to play with my older brother on his team. The only big factor they got on me for was physicality. I need to work on getting bigger.

    “I feel like I’m really close. I just need a little bit more confidence on the ball. I think I really impressed the coaches last season and that gives me an advantage because I’m starting from preseason.
    https://www.statesman.com/sports/20...eto-avila-signs-pro-contract-with-austin-bold
     
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  7. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
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  8. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Peter Bonetti and autobus39 repped this.
  9. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    DJ Taylor, a '97, will be back with NCFC this season.
     
  10. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
  11. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The Revs signed Connor Presley '98 and Nick Woodruff '98 to USL League One contracts. Presley is on his third USL team (and second MLS2 side). Woodruff is a former academy player and a CB.

    They also signed Mayele Malango, a '97 player born in DRC. He has played HS and college soccer; it's not clear when he arrived in the US, but his DA page does not indicate he has US citizenship.
     
  12. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Chattanooga Red Wolves signed a '97 named Jonathan Ricketts. I've Scoped out that he's from Dayton, TN...
     
  13. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Assuming he's the guy from Bryan College, he has a decent amount of highlights on YouTube. These are the most recent.

     
  14. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hopefully he can evolve into a solid pro.
     
  15. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Go kid go!

    Based on so little viewing that my opinion is worth basically nothing, he looks interesting. I'm guessing that his aggression and willingness to take people on off the dribble won't immediately translate from the NAIA level to the USL. But if he can bring some hold-up/aerial stuff to his game as well, he might have a shot. He also looks maybe a bit bigger than the listed 6' 2", unless he played against really small guys in those videos. And with that, I'll stop talking out of my butt for a few minutes.
     
  16. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
  17. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Also maybe says something about the state of lower-division soccer in the U.S.

    At the time of the announcement, it seemed logical enough that an investor group might be interested in handing over soccer operations to an MLS organization like happened in RGV so it could focus on building a business -- and vice versa.

    It seems that neither Houston nor RGV felt like it was working well enough. Maybe that implies good things about both the perceived need for development by MLS organizations AND the opportunity for independent teams if they have more control. Maybe not. We'll see.

    Of course, there was a simple factor complicating this deal, which was the sheer geographic distance between the two operations.
     
  18. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
     
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  19. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    DeLoach is an '02.

    Hampton and O'Hearn may be '03s.
     
  20. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Apparently U-Va. '00 Daniel Steedman left school to sign with Atlanta 2. He was born in Scotland but according to the DA is a U.S. citizen, and clearly was at least partly raised here.
     
  21. autobus39

    autobus39 Member+

    Jun 28, 2006
    Scranton, PA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  22. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was checking up on some players who are MIA and noticed that Transfermarkt lists Jose Carranza as retired.

    They usually only do that when there's been some sort of definitive statement to that effect. Otherwise, the player is simply "without club" or perhaps "unknown".

    Did I miss some sort of announcement from the player?
     
  23. NoHammiesAltidore

    United States
    Jun 28, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There is nothing on his Instagram, it seems like he just doesn't have a club.
     
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  24. ChuckMe92

    ChuckMe92 Member+

    Jun 23, 2016
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm not so sure Carranza is retired. He does train regularly on his IG stories. Shaft Brewer is another one who I don't think is retired yet, and was spotted training in Norway recently (unclear if at a specific club).
     

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