Cook started and played the first ~2/3rds of the game against Japan, a 1-0 victory for the US in the tournament final. Pretty bleh game from him. The coaches were really getting on him for his defensive transition.
No.................... He only started due to an injury crisis in midfield. ........................but sometimes a player just needs that foot in the door. I'll be curious to hear what people who saw the game thought of his performance.
Lineup from today’s U15 game against SKC was Rios Wygant (c), Odom, Drygas, Vejrostek Kurpiewski Vargas, Dias Salm, Eason (who had the goals and assists below and is Mexico-eligible, which I didn’t know until today), Velazquez
I thought he looked fine and Buzz from 3rd Degree was gushing about him. I think more in the situation as a 19 year old against a solid veteran Houston midfield.
That's good. What you want to hear is that he held his own, so the staff feels comfortable continuing to give him opportunities. They have a USOC game on Wednesday, and hopefully we see Norris again. We need more games to make the assessment that the season is completely down the tubes. As bad as Dallas has been, they're not that far out of the playoffs. 4 points out with at least a game in hand compared to most teams.
He's a blonde Academy graduate, so, as with Thomas Roberts and Paxton Pomykal and Chris Cappis, Buzz has no choice but to stan. He's got a type. (*return to this space in a couple years when any of Caleb Swann, Liam Vejrostek, or Chris Wygant have signed homegrown deals*)
Should’ve deleted this part of the post while you still could’ve. I’m dead serious when I say that the Mexican federation uses the internet to find players who are eligible for their team and I try very hard not to mention it when I encounter these non-obvious players who are eligible for Mexico.
So I guess my assumption was that the FMF goes to Chris Hayden (or the equivalent for other high profile MLS academies) and just asks for a list of all the kids that are Mexico-eligible. Is that not how it's done?
They speak with clubs, but these federations aren’t always as organized as you’d think. They mine the internet for any hints and help they can get. There’s actually been quite a number of players that USSF has discovered over the years from reading big soccer.
I'm not 100%, but I think it's going to be Honduras v Guatemala in the final, potentially pitting two FCD GKers against one another (Josue Fuentes for Honduras and John Lutin [not an Academy kid] for Guatemala).
Liam Vejrostek is putting together a very good season for FC Dallas U15, so far accumulating 3 goals and 15 assists from primarily the LB position. Ready for a step up to the U17s next year for one of the best academies in the nation. https://t.co/x7ForszNYJ— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) May 21, 2024
The big counting stats are more impressive when you know he was injured for a month or two. Him playing with the U17s is going to depend on what they do with Zach Molomo, a U16 that’s played with the U17s a bunch this spring and got a lot of run with NTX in preseason. Super versatile player that can do LB, LWB, LCB, DM, any spot in the front four, etc. My guess would be he splits his time between the U17s and NTX, leaving the U19s to Torquato and Dozier, so maybe Vejrostek breaks into the U17s next spring?
you can have him If San Jose does eventually fire Luchi, I hope FCD immediately calls him to offer him the FCD Academy director job. https://t.co/DQUwydHAHU— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) May 22, 2024
Sources: Brentford finalizing a deal to sign highly rated USYNT GK Julian Eyestone.Eyestone, 18, came through FC Dallas academy. Starred at Duke University for a season. Now off to England. https://t.co/6L3SnrOz5P pic.twitter.com/uaampJfSJM— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 25, 2024
Another region-based roster for the US U14s (‘10s). FCD sends CB Guillen-López, LB Jones, CM Soria (fresh off a MEXYNT callup - Xavier Gomez, however, isn’t here), and Attacker Hallie. Most callups in the region.
Gomez is maybe out because he’s committed to FMF at the moment, but if it’s discretionary I’d see that as a miss. Otherwise there’s a few I’d put in the same tier as a Jones or a Guillen-López (who has really clicked this spring, imo): Gallardo (injured?) and Orta especially. I also see more in Akem and Monsivais than the YNTs do, it seems.
I’m watching last week’s start for Norris against Houston. He belongs. No doubt about it. It’s clear to me. He has things to work on, but I feel he’s better off learning at the MLS level now.
Yup. That’s part of why I rate him: older brother PJ was a plus-plus athlete - just needed more high-level game time earlier, which Neil is now getting.
I really doubt he'll get many minutes with this coach. Just not a good fit for a team with a such an academy.
......................or the majority of these teenagers aren't good enough. There's not a Ricardo Pepi amongst this homegrown crew. At least that's my view of it. He's giving time to draft pick Logan Farrington. Logan has appeared in 10 of FCD's 13 MLS games. One of those he missed with minor injury. That's even after Musa has arrived. Dante Sealy has appeared in 10 of 13 games. Kamungo has appeared in 12 of 13 games. The talent level of this group is just not good enough overall. And yes, part of that is Velasco and Pomykal being out long-term. Those are two key parts of the group. I think Norris is one that could play more, but Illarramendi at the #6 is one of the veteran players that delivers. Norris started when he was out with injury. If the season turns South, maybe Norris is one that gets more time. Its one of those things. Do you want Norris starting for North Texas or sitting on the bench for FCD. There's a lot of angst in FCD-land at the moment. Social media went nuts after they blew that 3-0 lead at home to RSL last weekend. I just don't think playing this particular group of FCD homegrowns is the answer. Do people honestly think Malik Henry-Scott is the answer to FCD's problems?