Youth Yanks Abroad, '01-'04 YOBs (and Younger): 2018/19 Thread

Hmmm.....

Malone?

— Corey Malone (@dcmalone67) January 31, 2019

 

Check out @USAprospects’s Tweet:

CONFIRMED: '02 Giovanni Reyna has joined Borussia Dortmund. He will start with the Dortmund U19s. Huge move for one of the top talents in the #usynt #USMNT pool pic.twitter.com/rLBejDBO6d

— Joey (@USAprospects) February 1, 2019

 

Pardon my ignorance, I don't understand the reference.

 

http://soun.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=3948180&player=265727171

 

But why was it tweeted in the first place? Is he rumored to be moving to Germany and I missed it?

 

Obviously not all thread eligible, but this is good to see...

This was cool.

Using Transfermarkt, looking at Americans outside of MLS, there are 156 playing in Germany from the top flight to the lowest level of professional football. No other country comes close; 2nd is Mexico with 29 and England is 3rd with 28. pic.twitter.com/dSgloOy28U

— Arthur Kogan (@artur_kogan) February 1, 2019

We need to pump up those France and Belgium numbers though

 

Yeah, their website has rosters for the first team and U-23s, then nothing below that. There doesn't appear to be an academy section at all (unless I'm missing something).

 

Thread-eligible '01 CM Jaheim Headley is in the 18-man squad for Huddersfield U19s for tomorrow's match against Betis, apparently one of seven playing up.
https://www.htafc.com/news/2019/february/u19s-face-real-betis-in-spain-on-monday/

 

Presumably that's Blake's dad, no?

 

From a recent interview with Charlie Kelman:

Playing in America led to the call up for Kelman to the Under 18 National side, playing and scoring in the one game he appeared in. However, America isn’t the only National side he is eligible to play for, Charlie has the choice of Scotland and England too, but he is keeping his options open before making his final choice.​

https://erourke8.wixsite.com/euanrourkesarticles/reports/charliekelmaninterview

 

This is a player I'd like to see more of. I just don't know where his game is at.

Indiana Vassilev makes his first start for the Aston Villa u23s! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/SgXrLiyd9X

— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) February 4, 2019

 

He's a fairly tidy player. Clean and simple on the ball with his technique and decision making. Left footed and plays high in midfield. He might be somewhat similar to Mendez in terms of how and where he plays. I don't think he's quite as good, but he's a few months younger.

Curious where Vassilev's midfield partner with the 18s, Jacob Ramsey, is. He signed a pro contract with Villa in January, and if he's not on this U23 roster, wondering if he is injured at the moment or training with the first team. He is a better player than Vassilev, and I'd guess he's a big prospect in the England system. Great sign that he is starting for the 23s as a 17 yo, but knowing more about Ramsey's status might give more indication of what Vassilev's prospects are. For the time being, this is a huge challenge and a great spot for his development.

 

From what I've seen online, Villa loaned out a bunch of their U23s in this January window. Thus slots were opened up in their U23s for players like Vassilev. [I don't know if this is true or not. I've just seen it mentioned............]

 

I've watched two of his games at Villa and been pretty impressed both times.

 

Quick thread on Alex Mendez’s debut for the Freiburg U19s. Came in for the last 15 minutes of a nervy 3-1 win over Karlsruher, made several positive contributions, including defensively, looked a tad rusty but brought a cleverness that, to my eyes, will be unique in that team.

— scuffed (@scuffedpod) February 7, 2019

 

‘01 former @RedBullsAcademy Mexican-American defensive midfielder Salvador Pliego signed a pro deal with Pumas UNAM second division side. #usynt pic.twitter.com/wKSrAkZpb5

— Joey (@USAprospects) February 8, 2019

 

Very happy to announce that I’ve signed with @RealSporting I’d like to thank my family, friends, teammates and coaches for helping me reach this point in my career. Ready to put in the work. I am still eligible for college. pic.twitter.com/LmJDDjyHEU

— ❌•Cade Hagan•❌ (@HaganCade) February 10, 2019

 

Another good article from Brian:

1095403680562663425 is not a valid tweet id

 

Folarin Balogun signs professional contract with Arsenal

The highly-rated teenage striker is still eligible to play for Nigeria, USA or England

Folarin Balogun has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who has been on the books of the north London outfit since 10, with 13 goals in as many appearances, is currently the Gunners' top scorer in the U18s this season.

"It feels really good. I’ve been at the club since I was young, so I’m just happy that I’ve been given the opportunity to push on," Balogun told club website.

 

A recent article from the German press states that Giovanni Reyna is now with B. Dortmund's youth teams:

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/gio-reyna-to-europe.2079561/page-5#post-37522550

 

Jake LaCava ('01)

 

There's a pretty good chance Chituru Odunze has joined Leicester. One of his recent IG stories has Whitecaps teammates saying they'll miss him, including one saying "can't wait to see you in the Premier League." He also started following some Leicester academy players, possibly new teammates, on IG. But nothing official yet, so we'll see.

 

Mason Judge scores twice for Eintracht Frankfurt’s B-Junioren in a 3-0 win this morning.

— Travis Clark (@travismclark) February 17, 2019

 

According to the Instagram story of his agent, '04 Gabriel Slonina has departed the US to train at Manchester United.