Bernardo and Garcia??

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by Dignan, Feb 8, 2009.

  1. Dignan

    Dignan Member+

    Nov 29, 1999
    Granada
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ... as in why are they not in the U20 camp for the qualifiers?

    Does it bother anyone else that the two most "promising" guys we have are left out and also happen to be eligible to play for other national teams?

    Or am I just paranoid?
     
  2. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    Not paranoid. You just haven't read all the threads, like the one on Felix Garcia. He's sorting his life right now. Good luck to him. As for Bernardo, I suspect (or hope) that he's at an important juncture in his career at Napoli, and needs to be there. Whatever happened bewteen him & Rongen at an earlier camp should be repairable, witness the reinstatement of Arguez & Nazzani, two other prodigal sons, in this camp. If we qualify there's a good chance that we'll see at least one of them, perhaps both, on the U20 WC roster.
     
  3. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the current camp is not the camp for qualifiers.... its merely a last ditch training camp before Rongen names his roster for Quals...
     
  4. Altidore_Adu_Fan

    Sep 30, 2007
    Hammond In
    can any body compare these 2 with any player of the last u-20 team in 07
     
  5. lastman

    lastman Member

    Jun 12, 2008
    this is a worrisome issue but as mentioned, there are good reasons neither is there and it is not the final roster even for qualifying, much less for Egypt.

    I'm much more worried about Garcia going over to Mexico as they saw him first hand when the U-20s ripped Mexico apart last year in Dallas and probably had a chance to recruit him since; he only speaks Spanish, etc.

    Bernardo is a different case` as if he were good enought to play for Italy he probably would anyway, and if Napoli let him play at the U-20s he'll be american for good as the window to switch afterwards (before his 21st b-day) will be very short


    I'd say Garcia is closest to Adu but maybe with more upside IMO, but I know hardly anyone would agree, and Bernardo is a straight up goal scorer comparable to Ferrari but also probably more upside
     
  6. ElRoss425

    ElRoss425 Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Now I've never seen Bernardo or Garcia play, but do you have this backwards? From all the accounts I've read I would expect Garcia to be more like Ferrari with possibly more upside and Bernardo would be more like Adu(without as much upside).
     
  7. Ricardo Fonseca

    Dec 14, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Garcia is no where near Adu or Jozy believe me. If you rush me, I'll pick Jerome first then Garcia.
     
  8. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Noone can, because noone has seen either play.

    All we know is Garcia is a pacy and tall forward who can create things for teammates as well as for himself. (According to ESPN.com and reports)

    Bernardo is a wing/forward.

    Both are 1990's and have alot of promise otherwise they wouldn't be in their respective situations.
     
  9. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    I say Garcia on FSC on a PDL championship game. He really wasn't impressive to me. Lazy, slow motion. When he got the ball he wouldn't pass to the open man keeping the ball moving just try to beat his man and lost the ball too many times to count. Seemed to have soft feet but if you don't make quick and correct decisions you lose the ball, which he did often.
     
  10. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    That was the only time I ever saw him play also, and like you I was completely unimpressed. It's just one viewing so who knows, but hardly looked like a prodigy, rounded/aware player of any sort. Still, one game.

    Bernardo? Who knows? We get a lot of reports from his agent, making believe he is a reporter, even though his agents name is in his handle. Someone called him out on it and he dissappered for a while. His usual MO. When he gets called, or he slips up, he runs away and then comes back a few months later. Most of this info we seem to get and stories always seem to orginate with him. As a cynic:p;) maybe his agent is just doing the job of any agent. Maybe?

    A lot of bluster about Bernardo's potential, but he isn't close to the first team at Napoli and doesn't seem to get along with his Primavera coach, and even play much there (am I wrong?). Instead of being loaned or going to the US camp (if he was invited) he goes to a club tourney which is made for scouts to find players.

    This, and no one has seen him play much, and when he has played with the U20's he has done fine. Not super but fine.

    Now there is a news story that Italy have asked Napoli for his info.

    A lot, and I mean a lot of things not really adding up here, or murky to say the least.

    I hope the kid really is good and plays for us but there are reasons to wonder aloud just a bit.

    Wouldn't you say?


    Note - Remember, I didn't say these players were good, bad or ugly. Just pointing out some info and the fact that we have little to go on - just like US versus Ireland said. Very little.
     
  11. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bernardo and his agent have certainly generated a lot of hype but you have to wonder how much of it is hot air.

    I mean, we heard about all these loan offers from Serie C and B sides with the best one being shot down because the Serie B side wanted 50% ownership of his contract (does that happen often?). It is weird they couldn't find a loan if several teams were apparently interested. Now we are hearing that Italian NT or U19 team is looking into him.

    When you hear about this impressive list if interest in Bernardo you have to ask where the managers and technical directors are getting all this information that Bernardo is really someone to pursue. He doesn't appear to be playing anywhere (Zoidberg is right, he's not playing at the Primavera) but despite not playing, we hear that the interest in him from all sorts of clubs and YNT's continues to grow.

    It doesn't make sense and you have to take the hype with a grain of salt. Let his play on the field do the talking. In the U20 games I saw him play, he appears to be pretty good. Remember when interviewed, Rongen appeared to be higher on Nazzani when comparing the Italian duo.

    This club thing in NYC is interesting but you have to wonder what the purpose of the whole thing is. It's a tournament that does attact some scouts but why would he needs scouts if he is already signed by Napoli?

    We will see..
     
  12. Ricardo Fonseca

    Dec 14, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, Garcia is not a playmaker or a creator. All he is fast and tall.

    You hit the target with this one. Thats exactly what Felix Garcia stands for. Although he has decent speed, he doesn't have good sense of the ball (playing w/o the ball).
     
  13. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    While the PDL final thing is true he was only 17 (or just turned 18) when that match was played and (correct me if I'm wrong) Laredo lost which means his teammates didn't do the best job either.
    --------------------------
    I mean in general Garcia has some problems right now, but he did score a lot of goals in the PDL while 17-18 and scored when our U-20's went to England. It's obvious he has talent or Rongen would not have called him up so many times or recommended him to Houston. Rongen's not the type of guy to give away charity caps and camps.

    That being said, its time for Garcia to get his shit together. The best thing for his parents, girlfriend, and (if true) newborn baby is for him to start playing for Dynamo. Because he is good enough to have a career (maybe not USMNT level, who knows?) in professional soccer.
     
  14. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    More like attacking midfielder/withdrawn forward

    ...if we go by articles from the Italian press and Bernardo's own description.
     
  15. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Well, I think all many want is for people to calm down an dlay off the hype.

    I get my chops busted because I am overly cynical. All I try to do is calm the rather "over the top" sometimes "stupid" hype we see very often that people try to build here. Just breeds unrealsitic expactations/reality.

    Garcia has done things that say he belongs in the pool, and he could be a player that produces. Not questioning that. On stats alone he is getting things done.

    However, he is just another prospect in the pool. Little is known about him, and of course he is young. I won't write him off because of the PDL final of course, but I won't look at him as a prodigy either.

    We just need to be a bit more level headed in our evaluation, and evaluate the player on their pro soccer attributes...NOT US YOUTH SOCCER.

    That has always been a huge proble here in our country.

    Hope the kid get sthings straight. Having a child at that age and being away from home. Quite franky, I can't imagine.
     
  16. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Just talked to someone and they didn't want me to forget all of the serious "English" interest also that Calcio informed us of.

    Where are you Mr. Rosa?
     
  17. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  18. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
     
  19. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ah you are right.... clearly the wrong thread to post that :eek:
     
  20. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bernardo goes a full 90 for the NY Stars in their opening game 1-0 loss to Pisa

    Pisa - New York 1 - 0

    PISA: Sarti, Guglielmi, Biagini, Roberti, Vanni, Bortoletti, Cecconi, Taugordeau, Bussi (35'st Quintieri), D'Antoni (11'st Giandomenici), Palamara (19' Mariani). All. De Petrillo.

    NEW YORK: Glackin, Howard (15'st Schweitzer), Blasetti, McGarry, Posillipo, Alesci, Henad (35'st Corrado), Gabriele (40'st Posillipo), Zammiello, Bernardo, Hernandez. All. Legovic.

    ARBITRO: Costantini di Perugia.

    RETI: 40' D'Antoni.

    NOTE: espulsi Roberti e Biagini.
     
  21. El Naranja

    El Naranja Member+

    Sep 5, 2006
    Alief
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm worried about Garcia a bit, though I do applaud his idea to get a highschool diploma, just not his timing.

    As for the rumor that he only speaks Spanish, that is false. While Spanish is his preferred language, he speaks English ok.

    Hopefully he'll rejoin the Dynamo in May and work his way out of Dom's dog house.

    Once the Qualifiers come around, I hope he'll get the call and will accept and keep on playing.
     
  22. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006

    Gut or any substance to it?
     
  23. El Naranja

    El Naranja Member+

    Sep 5, 2006
    Alief
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A mix of both.

    Gut - It's a tough problem for Garcia, even without the speculation about his maturity. Imagine it: you're a junior in high school playing in a college league, tearing things up, forcing your way into the U20 National Team, you get your girlfriend pregnant and have the kid. Now in your senior year, you have a baby (and maybe a wife?) and there's all sorts of interest from professional clubs.

    You risk it and skip the draft and land a sweet contract from MLS (GenAd...~$70K at least) on a team you wanted to play for (Houston). The media and fans are abuzz with this kid (we've been wanting him for a while now).

    Now you have a pro contract without a highschool diploma and you'll have to leave home (family, girlfriend, baby) for the first time ever and go to the big city and watch the team play (probably not make the bench).

    That's a lot to take in and not everyone, no matter their talent, is ready to take all that on at once.

    Substance - Garcia signed with the Dynamo. Dom expected him in camp to get things started, with Dom and Oliver Luck (GM) probably willing to help him finish High School in Houston and instead he ditches us and goes back home (for whatever reason).

    Once you are in Dom's dog house, it takes a damn miracle from God Himself to get out of it. Craig Waibel is the only player I can think of who did get out of it in Houston.

    If he finishes school in May and calls Dom up and asks to be brought in, it'll be very interesting to see what happens. Doubly so with several people fighting for the last Dev slot (assuming we sign a 3rd keeper), our roster may be full then and he'll have to fight his way in.
     
  24. lastman

    lastman Member

    Jun 12, 2008
    thanks that's good info.. I always wondered how the hell he goes to hs with no English, and kids always pick up both languages pretty easily, it's a pretty stipid rumor then but played up in the press
     
  25. El Naranja

    El Naranja Member+

    Sep 5, 2006
    Alief
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Eh, still a tad strange for many to grasp that Spanish is his stronger language...growing up in the USA and all...'course those people have never been to a barrio-type school either, I'd wager :p
     

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