Our U17s played against Uruguay & Argentina, the U20s are playing again today, against the River Plate reserves.
Congrats to the U20 USMNT team for winning 5-3 against River Plate in Argentina. Jalen got the start and had a solid match. @LAGalaxy @USYNT— Sarah.Neal4 (@Sarah_Neal4) March 29, 2022
By my rough count, Sullivan has scored 5 of our 8 goals the last two U-20 windows, and he assisted on at least another of them (don’t know about who assisted the Aaronson goal). IMO Sullivan has to be starting once qualifying starts. I’d give Clark another starting slot. I’d also give Cowell and Paredes the benefit of the doubt for now, but I’m worried about their form. Option 1 is the ideal option of these three. Option 1 for qualifying: Clark-Cowell-Paredes —X——Sullivan— ———-X———— Option 2 for qualifying: Clark-Sullivan-Paredes ——-X——X———- ———--X————- Option 3 for qualifying: Clark-Cowell-X ——X—Sullivan ———-X———
Why are you worried about Cowell and Paredes' form? Have you been able to see the matches? Is it because they are not starting for their club teams? Cowell is a bit raw.... so I guess I understand a bit of concern. But Paredes is the complete package. The kid is phenomenally gifted. In both case I think we should give them a bit of time. Clark has not played all that great in the MLS for almost a year now... so I think he could be added to the list of players on this team that could use an up-turn in form... but again, w/o seeing the matches I am unable to draw my own conclusions. One thing that is pretty cool though... these kids are actually scoring and I don't think there is a true #9 on the roster. It kind of points to a deficiency in our youth system but I have been so often underwhelmed w/ our Youth Team offensive performance. 7 goals in 2 games in Argentina is a nice showing under a new coach and w/ a new group. Hoping it bodes well for the future.
Paredes hasn’t played a competitive club game at any level in over five months. Cowell’s not played that well since early last season. I’m less worried about Clark, although he’s also been up and down. He’s been better recently than Cowell though, and unlike Paredes is playing games. I think he’s also just better than the other two and it seems like he will be the likely captain of the team, so I expect he’ll play.
I'm not that familiar with Sullivan. I gather he's not a natural #9 but is he the type of player that could grow into that role? Or do you see him like Jesus as a false 9.
Quinn Sullivan generally plays on the wing / outside forward and actually most often plays in the midfield for Philly.
I was wondering when the next U20 camp is. That’s all. I know the tourney is end of June (right?), so I assume we get one more camp. At least I hope.
This is what Sciaretta reported from an interview with Mikey Varas a while ago: “Following that, there might be a pre-camp ahead of the summer tournament at a location still to be determined.”
And would players not in MLS be released for a camp when there is one? No international windows before summer https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-2023-u20-thread.2113124/page-24#post-40381323
I’m throwing another name into the mix that hasn’t been mentioned yet in this thread. Isaiah Foster (‘03). He’s very similar to Jacob Greene IMO. I’d probably say Greene is slightly ahead due to versatility to play RB, involvement already with the U-20’s this cycle, and slightly better tools (pace, technique), but their level of play is very similar. I think we have to decide what we want for the composition of this U-20 group. Gomez if he wants to play is first name on the team sheet. However, he may not be included. Is Paredes playing winger or LB? That’s a decision to make before the tournament, not at it. I know Wiley was at the past U-20 camp, but he’s an unreliable option. He has potential, but it’s very risky to be including him yet. If we are taking an ‘04, I think Allen is a lot more reliable. However, we could easily use the back up LB spot for an ‘03 like Sorenson, Greene, and Foster. Sorenson is in that Wiley category of too erratic right now. Maybe a better prospect than the other two, but you probably want a back up LB that doesn’t have the potential to wreck a game for you. Greene and Foster come into the equation if you are simply looking for a steady and older backup for Gomez (or Paredes). There’s also the option to only take one LB, and then have Cuevas play back up LB, although that’s very risky. LB is the one position I would not want to take only one natural option. You can get away with it a lot more at other positions.
Well Pepi would be there if he wasn't with the full team. Isn't Dike just a bit too old for this group? As we see with the full team #9's are in short supply though just ask Italy. i will add that they seem to take longer like central defenders and keepers so in 3-10 years we may have an abundance as they gain experience and figure it out.
I figured but was pointing out in the grand scheme he's not really very old. Players come in clumps - some cycles feature several positions and others feature others. They usually even out over two cycles the exception being our lost generation where players were missing for about five years and it's still impacting the team now.
I agree. I think with CF’s finding a good environment to develop into a consistent goal-scorer is difficult. Sargent hasn’t made good decisions, and I think there’s a good argument already that Hoppe, Pepi and Dike haven’t either. Soto also hasn’t. Hopefully the next few to emerge do. Ferreira needs to go somewhere where he can score goals once he moves to Europe. Is Cowell a CF? He’s going to move soon and needs to pick a good destination. Wright is another who may be moving to one of the top leagues in the next few years. Vazquez, Toye, and Ebobisse are some other possibilities.