Abraham Romero called in for Mexico U20 camp: http://miseleccion.mx/la-snm-sub-20-inicio-primera-concentracion-del-ano/
Maurice Malone called up to the German U-17's. There is now a '98, '99 and '00 German-American playing for the German U-17, U-18 and U-19 YNT's. Can Rongen get some of them to switch to the the USA?
Whether or not Rongen gets anyone to switch, I completely trust him to talk to them and do his due diligence. Really, that's all we can ask for. After the Arena hire, this was an area of concern for me. I don't want to portray Rongen as some dual-nat-whisperer/savior, but I do think it was a wise and necessary appointment.
Canada U20 squad called into camp: CB- Matt Constant | USA / University of New Mexico M- Joshua Doughty | Unattached / sans club http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-...s-u-20-camp-and-series-against-panama-p160323 Notice that Doughty doesn't have a club. Doughty was also with the U20s back in November: http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-men-s-u-20-squad-for-honduras-p160071-preview-1
Abraham Romero called in again for the Mexico U20s: http://miseleccion.mx/se-concentro-la-seleccion-nacional-mexico-sub-20-5/
I'm admittedly ignorant regarding the depth of Mexico's youth teams, and I know he's young as a '99, but is it at all surprising that Lara hasn't been called into their U-20's lately?
Not surprising. They don't usually call in many younger players to their youth teams. Maybe if he gets some first team appearances, he could get a U-20 call up. I've read he's playing well with Pachuca and might get a first team appearance soon.
Justin McMaster has been called into camp with the US U18s, but had a past with Jamaica: CONCACAF Under-15 Championships Jamaica 4, Grenada 0 GOALS: Peter Campbell 37’, 38; Stephen Malcolm 63’; Justin McMaster 66’ http://www.concacaf.com/article/group-b-match-recaps He also scored in U17 CFU qualifying, so he is likely provisionally tied to Jamaica: Jamaica Quick Facts 12th appearance in CU17 finals Best CU17 Finish: Final Round Group Winner – 1 (1999) Qualification Method: Caribbean – Runner-up Qualification Record: GP – 7; W – 6; D – 0; L – 1; GF – 37; GA – 7 Qualifying Scorers: Nicholas Nelson (10); Donovan Dawkins (8); Alex Marshall (7); Justin McMaster (4); Deshan Beckford, Tajea Brown, Ajeanie Talbott (2); Fabian Grant, Peter Vassell (1) http://www.concacaf.com/article/cu17-preview-february-27-2015
I can confirm that McMaster is provisionally tied. He has not been involved in the Jamaican setup for a while, however (he was not called into the most recent U20 side back in the summer). He has attended multiple USA camps in that time span, so I have questioned whether or not he is now committed to the USA. I was told about a year ago by some in the know that he was definitely committed to Jamaica and ready for any call from the island, but we'll see if that still holds up. It seems doubtful he makes a one-time switch at this point given the fact that he'd be guaranteed no progression to the senior USMNT, so time will tell what he does down the road.
That's another point in the pro column for the U18 and U19 setup. It will keep these kids connected without the need to make a switch. I really do like it.
Indeed. These guys don't really have a chance to switch for two years, and if they aren't in either country's U20 mix now than there's almost no reason not to test the waters. These programs give them an opportunity.
You guys are 100% on point, and I honestly envy this aspect of your program. This advantage is especially enhanced by the fact that the other countries these kids are considering do not have U-18 and U-19 squads to transition players between the U-17 and U-20 levels. That's a big gap for the USA to exploit. Even if a kid like McMaster were to be Jamaica-or-bust, the fact is that Jamaica has no team for him to play for right now - our U-20s are eliminated and we simply don't run U-19 and U-18 sides. He'd just be sitting around waiting with us, but the Americans can at least keep kids like him occupied. Tremendous advantage. I hope I live to see the day we can afford a U-18/U-19 side.
Three Yanks called into camp for T&T's U20s: http://www.concacaf.com/article/tt-u20s-heading-to-colombia-for-camp-matches ROSTER GOALKEEPERS: Dejourn Charles (Carapichaima East), Montel Joseph (Boreham Wood FC—England), Jadel Poon-Lewis (Franklin Pierce University/USA), Denzil Smith (DirecTV W Connection) DEFENDERS: Simeon Bailey (Barataria South), Kori Cupid (Presentation College, San Fernando), Isaiah Garcia (DirecTV W Connection), Kierron Mason (Marabella Crisis), Coby McGregor (Cedar Stars Academy/USA), Noah Powder (no club), Taryk Sampson (Ma Pau Stars), Kyle Thomas (San Juan Jabloteh) MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Bruce-de-Rouche (no club), Marc Gangia (Odense/Denmark), Jesse Joseph (San Juan Jabloteh), Micah Lansiquot (St Ann’s Rangers), Stephan Marcano (Fatima College), Jabari Mitchell (DirecTV W Connection), Justin Sadoo (Point Fortin Civic), Shane Sandy (Ma Pau Stars), Joshua Sitney (Malta Carib Alcons) FORWARDS: Joshua Leach (Police FC), Taofik Lucas-Walker (D.C. United/USA), Rushawn Murphy (St. Ann’s Rangers), Kathon St. Hillaire (St Ann’s Rangers), Josh Toussaint (St Ann’s Rangers) Powder had recently been with RedBulls II, but shows without a club.
Our boy Efrain Alvarez starting @miseleccionmx camp today. Will be headed with the 02s to Qatar next week. pic.twitter.com/mT22g8M51E— 3four3 (@3four3) January 30, 2017
It really sucks that we're gonna continue to lose players like this to Mexico until soccer is bigger in the USA.
Zavaleta should do it. I like him as a player, but a USMNT call isn't going to come for him as a CB. Too much depth across age groups. I'm not quite sure why Perez or Moreno would accept the callup right now to El Salvador.
That birdie is getting very close to flying away. Right now he is looking like Bruce's top candidate for left back. If he kills it this evening against Jamaica then it's a given that he'll be called up for a cap-tying event.
Who? Just kidding. That was major confusion on my part. Flores has really fallen low if he can't get mentioned by ES.