I didn't watch the match, but this highlights. Wow...just wow!!! The speed, movements, runs, the finishing....IMPRESSIVE! I wish our senior team could play with such precision and ferocity.
I would not be surprised to see a couple of these guys make it to Russia. CR always impresses me with their consistency for such a small country. I guess we'll be dealing with this Jonathan Martinez fellow for a while.
As good as they are, it all comes down to JK and who he picks or favors. I fear that most of these players will never get their chance because JK thinks anybody playing in Germany or Europe is better than homegrown players and that is just wrong. These players should be feeding the Sr. team and if JK doesnt let that happen then he needs to step down. The joke is that JK was hired to build the US program and coach the Sr Nat team. He insisted on total control all phases of the program and he got it. How is this ever going to ever work if apx. 1/2 the team is NOT from our program but rather, Euro players that technically qualify to wear our colors? JK needs to use homegrown players in this cycle or I want someone in his spot that will.
It's not just this team. The U17s, U18s, and U20s are all firing on all cylinders right now. I'm usually the kind of guy to reign in the "crazy hype machine," but its getting harder and harder to do so with these kids.
What I took away was: -Costa Rica's defense is pretty God awful. So many embarrassing tackles and bad give a ways in their own half. -Their GK is solid...made some nice saves. -Ours probably should have gotten both of those considering how far out the shots were. I was impressed with our pace and especially Wright considering how big he is. I am cautiously optimistic for sure though!
I hope whoever the coach is in five years, he's ready to give these youngsters a chance, even if they happen to be "stuck" in the MLS. It's time for us to evolve beyond needing validation to believe our players are good enough. I doubt that's going to happen under Klinsmann, but I can't begrudge him his influence, if what we're seeing here is reality and not just a mirage. We'll know more by March next year, once they pass their first real test.
All 23 will be from Germany? 1/2 the team was not from Germany or not from our program. Jurgen Klinsmann does not have total control over development in the US. Many of these players have or will soon be at European teams. H.Wright, C.Pulisic, D.Barbir, J.Perez, L.Delatorre and a few in Mexico. Let's at least start with some facts then we can have a reasonable discussion rather than hyperbolic rhetoric.
Agree. This next generation coming through the ranks looks to have a fair amount more talent than what we're currently seeing from our 22-29 yr olds. I was just thinking about how we don't currently have a single American developed field player getting time in a top 4 league. Gyau might be the closest right now after getting an appearance a week or two ago. That is a reflection of the talent we have and should change as this next generation matures.
Bradley and Dempsey would still be at mid table teams in Europe making 1-2 million, but when MLS throws 6M at each that's why we don't have any players in Europe's top 4 teams.
No, that's only two players. You proved my point. That's a reflection of the talent we have in that 22-29 yr old age group.
0:25-0:30 of the England highlights above will give you a good glimpse of <strike> what Dortmund see in Christian Pulisic. </strike> EDIT: . . . what FC Dallas see in Alejandro Zendejas.
We have no American developed field players, especially attackers currently playing in top 4 leagues. That's the point. You gave me two who aren't.
"Closest" is probably Geoff Cameron. He wasn't only developed in the US, he did it the hard way. He's not playing right now, though. We understand your point. As far as "in their prime" players go, we don't have much happening in top 4 leagues. Euro clubs are really scarfing up our teenage prospects, though....................... However, SuDano is also right. As long as MLS continues to increase salaries, USMNT-eligible players will continue to stay at home. Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, and others have had opportunities to go abroad.
M I'll go slow. Why is Europe the gold standard for you when they only pay between $1-2 million per season and our domestic league pays $6 million to play in MLS? Even $1-2M in MLS is keeping O.Gonzalez and M.Besler here and not in your treasured Europe. Its simple economics not lack of talent. Every US player who used to play in Europe would never have gone to Europe if he made $6 Effin million dollars back in the day.