GK: I predict Ochoa & Shakes for the new cycle and if that's incorrect, then Ochoa and Defreitas-Hansen.
🎙️Megapod!A summer tradition, the Scuffed U20 player pool review. Thank you to @USAprospects and @MattSHartman, who joined for a very deep dive. More than 100 players discussed. Show notes are detailed for easy navigation. Use 'em.https://t.co/esBXTEOVk6— scuffed (@scuffedpod) July 31, 2019
I know we've got this in its own thread, but might as well post it here. I’m hearing the U.S U-20 team will have its first camp of the 2021 cycle in the upcoming September international window. It will take place in Slovenia— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 22, 2019
More dual-national news.... Can confirm that Argentinos Juniors player Matko Miljevic has been contacted by US U20 coach Tab Ramos. Miljevic played with Argentina U18s at a tournament earlier this month. Story coming soon on @MARCAClaroUSA.— Arch Bell (@ArchBell) August 22, 2019
To clarify, I'm not reporting that Matko has been called for any type of US U20 camp, but only that Tab has called Matko and introduced himself: https://t.co/ihs9Hehhk3— Arch Bell (@ArchBell) August 22, 2019
Look at the new U20 cycle striker depth: Gomez (Porto), Kelman (Southend), Hoppe (Schalke), Pepi (FCD), Ocampo-Chavez and Diaz (Sounders), Jones (RB Leipzig), Arce (Morelia), Hategan (Nürnberg), J. and Q. Butler (Ingolstadt & Hoffenheim), and still more. Not including wingers.— ChuckMe92 Soccer (@ChuckMe92Soccer) August 31, 2019
I think Stefan Stojanovic is better than some of those strikers. I don't know that he's as skilled as some of those players, but he has the best hold up play in the U-20 pool and he's scored goals for club and country for years.
A prospect to watch? Johnny Cardoso recently made his first team debut for Internacional in Brazil's Serie A (final 15 minutes of a 9/15/19 3-1 win over Atletico Mineiro). Raised in Brazil, Cardoso was born in 2001 right here in the Garden State.— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 4, 2019
Yes. @BostonRed created it over a year ago. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/joão-lucas-de-souza-cardoso-johnny-at-internacional-brazil.2087268/
Good interview @bshredder It was originally going to come out tomorrow morning but it's out now instead: my long interview with Jason Kreis on the progress of the United States U-23 team heading into October's camp in Miami. For @ClassicASN https://t.co/I6S3xver8M— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) October 8, 2019
I think this player is very under the radar, and will play a big part during the upcoming U-20 cycle. Gallegos looks like a big talent, but admittedly, I've yet to see him play outside of these highlights. The highlights look great though, and I usually do not overreact to highlight videos. He looks like the best playmaking AM in the '01 or '02 years, IMO. 1182000190305292294 is not a valid tweet id
'01 US U20 winger Jalen Hawkins scored today for Ingolstadt U19 against Heidenheim. Started along with fellow '01 Justin Butler. In past U20 cycles they'd have a better chance, but it's very doubtful either will receive another call for this cycle given the competition.— ChuckMe92 Soccer (@ChuckMe92Soccer) October 19, 2019
Per source, hearing that @RamosTab will be named the next head coach of the Houston Dynamo. Deal completed. #ForeverOrange #HoustonDynamo #Dynamo— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) October 24, 2019
I guess this isn't the forum to discuss Tab anymore, but I hope as things progress we learn more about his recruitment and his choice. I certainly get why he'd want an MLS (or comparable club) job, though it seems like he might've been a candidate for other jobs in the league. Maybe he wasn't, or maybe Houston paid up to take him off the market. Kind of speculating here, but maybe there's an opportunity to reframe the goal of the U20 program now. Years ago, it largely served as a way to integrate young, promising amateurs with pro players and keep guys moving up the ladder in lieu of widespread opportunities to do it otherwise. Now, with professionalization starting earlier, that's less important. But as the player pool has improved, other things (recruiting, pool maintenance, a springboard to the MNT program, a catchbasin for MNT overflow) have increased in importance.
Houston is challenging. Given the city's enormous size and resources, it has woefully underperfomed in terms of developing pro level talent. The Dynamo have been terrible with its youth production too. I guess the decision to bring Ramos in is a serious sign Houston wants to play a role in finally producing players from that area. For Tab, it's a big opportunity to finally coach adults while getting the ball rolling with intergrating young local players from a huge city.