547535039215710208 is not a valid tweet id Now prefers Robert Kristo. According to this article, his parents are Bosnian, though he lived in Croatia for a time before moving to the US: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/coll...cle_52066e98-0b20-570f-a3d4-260f4bf49861.html A Croatian passport would be much more valuable to securing European passage than a Bosnian one. His St. Louis U. bio: http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&ATCLID=205260694 His USSDA profile: http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/17276140/17297132-17276233/12295767.html A draft board profile: Robert Kristo (Saint Louis): Kristo is as pure of a #9 as there comes in college soccer. Over the course of his career with the Billikens, the two-time All-American recorded a staggering 41 goals and 15 assists. The 6’4” forward is a natural goal scorer, a style reminiscent to recent MLS draftee and current San Jose Earthquake forward, Mark Sherrod. Kristo also notched 14 goals this year, a number leading the country in the regular season. Arguably the best true forward in this year’s draft, Kristo should be a top 10 pick. http://www.collegesoccernews.com/in...14-mls-draft-top-senior-prospects-by-ben-roth
Seems he is Serie B bound: He would have been one of the top strikers in the draft but instead he’s Europe-bound, having come to terms with a club in Italy’s Serie B. (Terms of Kristo’s deal were not disclosed and ASN is honoring requests from Kristo’s camp to not identity the Italian team until the signing is officially announced.) “It was a really good offer and more than MLS was ever going to pay,” according to a source familiar with Kristo’s situation who asked to remain anonymous. “They signed him without him going on trial, just based on video. They really want him.” http://americansoccernow.com/articles/top-prospect-robbie-kristo-bypasses-mls-for-italy The article says that Kristo's parents are Croatian, so he has access to an EU passport.
Hopefully Croatia doesnt come in and swoop him up for there u21s if he does good in the serie B. Potential #9s with pro experience for our u23s could be: Kristo, Shelton, Rubin (versatile enough) and... ?
Because the original post indicates only a likelihood of going to Europe... country/league unknown. We now have a good indication it's Serie B. When he debuts, he can move to the Big Boy YA section.
Been in US YNT camps. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1589...uver-whitecaps-fc-draws-2-2-with-us-u-18-team
Kristo was born in Central Bosnia to Bosnian Croat parents. He shouldn't have trouble securing a Croatian passport. As far as his national prospects are concerned, it seems he is open to his various options. There's an article on a Bosnian soccer site where he expressed interest in playing for Bosnia.
He was on trial with Spezia in Serie B 10 or so days ago and trained with their u19 team. I don't know if he was offered a contract.
And if something does fall through, Columbus has his MLS rights after taking a flyer on him in the SuperDraft 3rd round.
That would be a steal and a half for Columbus. It sounds like he really wants to try his luck in Europe before MLS though.
It looks like he impressed enough during his trial to earn a contract. http://www.cittadellaspezia.com/La-Spezia/Sport/Kristo-si-e-fermato-a-Spezia-l-176058.aspx Spezia currently sits at 7th in Serie B in a promotion playoff position and 9 points behind an automatic promotion slot.
La Spezia is a short train ride from Cinque Terre, a beautiful stretch of coastline that looks out at the Ligurian Sea. The area is known for its pesto and focaccia. Vernazza as seen from the Sentiero Azzurro (or Blue Path):
I doubt he sees this as something to do "before MLS" I don't see him having any plans to play in MLS.
At halftime of a SLU basketball game, local TV interviewed him, and he said he definitely would be interested in MLS in the future. I don't have a link or anything, so you'll just have to trust me.
What exactly would you expect him to say to that question? "No way, that league isn't above where I am currently" He was being polite. Serie B is a step to Serie A, EPL, etc. not to MLS. This is especially true of a player with his roots who will end up playing for Croatia.
Look at his Twitter account He was far more excited for Croatia in the World Cup than he was for the U.S.