December U-18 Training Camp @ HDC

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by rwhunter4, Dec 27, 2009.

  1. rwhunter4

    rwhunter4 Member

    Jul 17, 2002
    Home of the Brave
    http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-18-M...amp-Underway-as-U18-MNT-Train-at-The-HDC.aspx

     
  2. rwhunter4

    rwhunter4 Member

    Jul 17, 2002
    Home of the Brave
    I assume that is "the" Tigres?
     
  3. johnh00

    johnh00 Member

    Apr 25, 2001
    CT, USA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow... N.J. has 7 players in the camp - even more then California and Texas. :eek:
     
  4. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    Can someone explain what exactly these camps are intended for? My nephew was invited to this camp and I'm still not quite clear on what exactly its intended purpose is. If you are invited to a camp are you automatically included in the U-18 player pool? Any help illuminating what exactly this means is greatly appreciated!!!
     
  5. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The U-18 national team doesn't compete in any official tournaments. Generally, it convenes for these sorts of camps and plays in friendly tournaments like the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, for example. The sense I've always gotten is that the U-18 is a way to keep a certain group of players busy -- the ones who are too old for the current U-17s and too young for the current U-20s. The cutoff for the 2011 U-20 World Cup is 1991 and the cutoff for the 2011 U-17 World Cup is 1994. Guys born in 1993 are in no-man's land this cycle.

    That's not to say that U-18s can't get called up to the U-20 team. Luis Gil has already been called up to the U-20s and will likely receive more callups; Amoki Okugo (and others) played extensively with the U-18s and U-20s last cycle.

    I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not sure if the "player pool" is codified. I've always thought of it as just short-hand for "the guys who have been or may be called in" -- a very fluid list that is constantly subject to change. Or does the USSF give the term a more official meaning?
     
  6. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    My question, then, is if this camp means anything? I was incredibly excited for his chance at making a National Camp but the more I read about it it seems that if it doesn't mean much of anything.
     
  7. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    It's all about player identification. The USSF apparently wants to keep a manageable portfolio that they can review and sort. However, the U18 "pool" is more fluid, and some players will get repeated call ups for camps and competitions, while others will be dropped in favor of new candidates. The USSDA clubs will play an increasing role in the selection of these players, as evidenced by the current camp having 32 of the 36 players from USSDA clubs. I'm fairly certain that some more '93 players will be scouted and identified for the U18 team as the Academy season progresses. Your friend should accept the invite for what it is- an honor to wear his country's colors, and an opportunity to play with other good players under the tutelage of some experienced coaches. It's up to him to take it from there, work hard, and who knows, maybe he'll impress enough to move his way up the development ladder to the U20s. One other point- while college coaches now have the USSDA games and showcases with which to scout players, the fact that your friend was invited to a U18 camp will pique their interest.
     
  8. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    If he shows well here he will continue to be tracked.

    Ultimately his goal should be to make the 2013 World Youth Championship Squad (Under 20's).

    The U-18's are basically a preparation for the future U-20 squad.

    He can test himself against other top players and listen to coaches advice on what he needs to improve to achieve his goal (hopefully) of being a professional.
     
  9. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's an honor and an opportunity. Ultimately, it's an encouraging signpost along the road. But it's just a signpost, not the destination. There's a long way to go.

    An earlier poster said it best. U-18 is about identification. Your nephew has been identified among a larger group of talented U-18s, but it's up to him to demonstrate that he's a part of the most elite group.
     
  10. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    this

    nothing adds more to his kid's resume when applying to colleges (or getting scouted for that matter) then a call up to a national team camp
     
  11. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    Thanks for your responses. I know his goal is to play professionally somewhere so this sounds like a step in the right direction.
     
  12. trickzwoo

    trickzwoo New Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
    Does anyone know where we can read up on whats going on at the U-18 camp?
     
  13. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    here or on ussoccer.com (there might be better options, but these seem to be more the obvious)
     
  14. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    TopDrawer is the only other place I could think of.
     
  15. pwip

    pwip Member

    Jul 10, 2004
    Dallas
  16. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
  17. trickzwoo

    trickzwoo New Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
  18. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    Just found this: http://blog.3four3.com/2010/01/02/report-u-18-national-team-camp/

    According to the blogger Luis Gil may not be turning pro so fast:

    "Luis Gil’s Future
    There have been a handful of well-known bloggers/journalists who have included him as an MLS Draft prospect or continue discussing his possibility of an Arsenal contract. My talk last night with someone intimately close to his future, all but crushed the Arsenal thing – stating Luis does not want to go overseas. In addition, it is extremely unlikely he will enter the draft, not for lack of MLS interest but rather that Luis wants to finish highschool (he’s now a Junior).

    From a purely soccer perspective, this could choke his potential. Hopefully I’m wrong and he has some mentors that can develop him. The kid has signs of brilliance and could be a true #10 – something this country desperately lacks."

    I have no idea how authoritative his sources are, so I would take this with a large dose of salt.
     
  19. Werdman89

    Werdman89 Member+

    May 27, 2008
    Boston, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's unfortunate from a soccer perspective, but makes sense from a personal perspective. I'm sure teams could offer a tutor or something that would allow him get his diploma, but I think it's the year of experiencing a normal kids life that he would miss. Remember that he's lost a year of his "childhood" in residency and knows what it's like to be away from home and probably misses it.
     
  20. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Interesting. I'd say this isn't a huge deal because he'll have an opportunity to go pro the second he wants to. Remember that he's a year younger than most of the U-17s who went to Nigeria. It's not like he's committing to four years of NCAA ball; he'll have plenty of pro options next year.
     
  21. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    http://www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Kleiban/694869837

    Ask him :D
     
  22. SondayNights

    SondayNights New Member

    Mar 20, 2008
    House
    Pure Speculation from unreliable sources.
     
  23. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Thanks for the clarification. Can you give us any hints about which way he is leaning? Europe/Mexico/MLS?
     
  24. SondayNights

    SondayNights New Member

    Mar 20, 2008
    House
    Pros/Cons on all posibilities..

    Developmental Growth is primary goal wherever
    he decides.

    Decision will be made soon.
     

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