So said TDS earlier this month: U.S. U15 Boys National Team midfielder Luca de la Torre has been rehabbing his knee at the club and could join full time when he turns 16 years old in May.De la Torre, who has a Spanish passport, is turning down the invite from USSF to join the Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida for this opportunity with the English Premier League side.U.S. U17 Men’s National Team head coach Richie Williams told TopDrawerSoccer.com this week that the center midfielder will still be an important part of the make-up of the squad despite his absence from the every-day training environment in Florida.http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club...-academy-eyes-american-ynt-additions_aid28988 As the article notes, he turns 16 in May 2014 so I guess he wouldn't go there until next year? I'm a bit confused, since it certainly seems like he could still be with the U17s in Florida for a year, but in any case it seems there is serious interest. http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/u-15-bnt/d/luca-de-la-torre.aspx Here's a bit more background (and a photo of DLT in Fulham gear): http://www.soccernation.com/wright-is-right-cms-3892
Anthony Wright (L) and Luca de la Torre (R) at Fulham Youth Academy.Luca de la Torre (L) and Anthony Wright (R) worked with Fulham's Gavin Taylor when Taylor visited San Diego.
Wait...so where is the thread on Anthony Wright? Since he was in SD I'm assuming he's American, but then he was at the Fulham academy so I assume he has an EU passport. Dave Marino-Nachison, this thread is like when Willie Mays botched that play in the 1973 World Series. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
******** you, superdave. Actually, I have been trying to confirm that Wright is a Yank. His father Paul is a Brit, but apparently lived most of his life here and so I would guess is a citizen by now; still, I wasn't sure. Also not sure (but would guess) that Anthony was born here. His USSDA profile has no information on it, apart from that Anthony's a '97. There's also Haji Wright, who was a guest player with Fulham in a youth tournament in Germany (and who TDS has also written about). Don't think they are related in any way.
Anthony Wright pretty much has to be a Yank. He's 15, so born in 1997 or 1998. Dad played for the Kansas City Wizards from 1996 to 1999: Moreover, Dad played professional soccer, exclusively in this country, for 25 years, retiring with a goal in a winning performance in the PASL Ron Newman Cup final with San Diego Sockers on 4/18: http://www.nasljerseys.com/MISL/Players/W/Wright.Paul.htm http://www.sdsockers.com/our-team/paulwrightbio/index_E.html http://www.soccernation.com/paul-wr...ckers-player-hangs-up-his-pro-cleats-cms-4196 He also runs a speed-training organization in San Diego (one of the articles above says he trained Ray Lewis, among others) & posted a video claiming to have scored the fastest goal in indoor soccer history: http://www.speedtoburn.com/ In short, he's put down pretty deep roots in this country, and it doesn't seem like his son would've been born anywhere but here, unless mom gave birth on a family vacation.
If she is an American then it wouldn't matter.....but what if she is....*GASP* a Mexican and indeed gave birth abroad....then the kid would be eligible for UK countries, Mexico and the country of birth....but not the US.
Part of the US U17 side for the ASG Cup in Spain: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-u17-roster-named-for-asg-cup_aid30491
Called up for u-17 Nike Friendlies: http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/12/williams-roster-friendlies.html
Paul has a great program in SD and also travels to work with Fulham in England. Fulham youth coaches also come for a special summer camp hosted by Paul...I believe last year at least 2 kids (u15ish) have since been invited to Fulham for training- both from the San Diego area, and not the two mentioned here.
Called up for the US U17s squad in the Aegean Cup. http://www.socceramerica.com/article/55833/us-under-17-mens-national-team-roster.html
Named to the roster for the U17 Copa Mexico de Naciones: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/07/22/13/56/140722-u17mnt-nordic-and-copa-rosters
ESPN FC reported, or relayed a tweet saying, that de la Torre has joined Fulham on a permanent basis. "Highly rated by club, can play anywhere across the midfield." http://www.espnfc.us/blog/name/79/post/1986125/headlinehttp://www.espnfc.us/blog/name/79/post/1986125/headline Look at 13:05 BST
Luca gets some mentions in this match report for Fulham U18s 3-1 win over Reading. http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2014_2015/league/home/reading
Looks to me like de la Torre has already made the subs' bench for Fulham's U21s. For a 16-year-old, that's a really fast track. http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140919/ft-fulham-u21-1-1-dev-squad_2236884_4156703
Named to the US U17 squad for the four-team Panama U-17 International Tournament from Oct. 1-5: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/09/26/15/45/140926-u17mnt-panama-tournament
Some updates on Luca at Fulham's academy: http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/11/12/fulham-academy-usmnt-usa-emerson-hyndman-fulhamerica Nevertheless, Fulham is confident in Da la Torre. He’s already been offered a four-year contract that he’ll sign when he turns 17.
Scored in Saturday's U18 match against Arsenal: http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2014_2015/league/away/arsenal
Played for the Fulham U18s today. Not much info: http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2014_2015/league/home/norwich-city#lineup
well there are 5 paragraphs in the report, this is the middle one; But Fulham started the second half at a rapid tempo and went in front virtually from kick-off. A flowing move involving Luca De La Torre and Aaron Redford culminated in Edun being slid in and the left-back planted a confident finish across the goalkeeper for 1-0.
Picked up an assist in Fulham's U18 match today: http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2014_2015/league/home/southampton But Redford wasn’t to be denied and put his side ahead around the half hour mark after he’d found space to get on the end of Luca De La Torre’s throughball. And the striker doubled his and Fulham’s lead just moments later when he converted from the penalty spot. The Whites were perhaps slightly guilty of taking their foot off the gas after scoring the second, but they were improved after the break and Humphrys should have netted after being found following good work from the impressive De La Torre.
Came off the bench for Fulham's U21 against West Ham. http://www.whufc.com/articles/20150206/ft-dev-squad-2-1-fulham-u21_2236884_4467300
De La Torre seems to be on a similar path to the first team as Hyndman in terms of when he'll get there. The difference I see is that I think De La Torre has a higher ceiling. He's a lot more athletic and is a better dribbler. A true box to box #8.
Scored in their 4-1 loss to spurs u18. Adeniran then cut inside and beat several players. His left-footed shot was spilled by the keeper but Josh Walker's rebound attempt was blocked. In the 79th minute, though, Fulham did reduce the arrears as Sheckleford got in down the left and crossed for Luca De La Torre to sidefoot home.
Named to the US roster for CONCACAF U17 qualifying: GK: William Pulisic (Richmond United/USA); Kevin Silva (Players Development Academy/USA) DF: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls/USA); Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy/USA); Daniel Barbir (West Bromwich Albion FC/ENG); Tanner Dieterich (Real Salt Lake Arizona/USA); John Nelson (Internationals Soccer Club/USA); Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls/USA); Alexis Velela (San Diego Surf/USA) MD: Eric Calvillo (Real SoCal/USA); Lucas de la Torre (Fulham FC/ENG); Thomas McCabe (Players Development Academy/USA); Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER); Alejandro Zendejas Saavedra (FC Dallas/USA) FW: Pierre da Silva (Orlando City SC/USA); Orrin Gaines II (Lonestar SC/USA); Joe Gallardo Jr (Monterrey/MEX); Joshua Perez (unattached); Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuana/MEX); Haji Wright (unattached)