2021 U17 World Cup Cycle

Apparently Jordan Jones is the first '05 called up to the new U17 cycle as a late replacement.

Congratulations to Jordan Jones for getting a @UHC call-up to compete an age group up! 🇺🇸#DTID https://t.co/gjjWTHh1US

— FC Dallas Youth (@FCDallasYouth) February 18, 2020

 

IMO, he's a little overrated. He has potential, but I've not seen him turn that potential into consistent or even regular production. This reminds me a little of Sealy being called into the first U-17 camp last cycle where he was clearly out of place, and then didn't get called in the rest of the cycle. I like Jones game better than I liked Sealy though. I'm not saying he's bad, but I certainly don't think he's earned this from the games I've seen.

Maybe I've just seen the wrong games, and I know @bpet15 rates the guy extremely high.

Do we know who Jones replaced?

 

I think he is a very good player and should be squarely in the conversation as one of the best midfielders in the U15 (2005) age group. This level (2004 YNT) will be too much for him, but it doesn't take away from how I view him. He is not going to embarrass himself at this camp as he is fully capable of fitting in and playing a role, but he won't run that team. I think people need to keep in mind the overall call ups in this group, as it is no where near our best U16 team.

As for what I think about him, it's a little complicated. I've seen him play nearly 20 matches and find him to be very consistent. That said, I understand where @ussoccer97531 is coming from in his scouting. His use of "production" is his scouting report is spot on because as good as he looks, he does lack production. He is very pleasing on the eye and incredibly smooth on the ball, that is the first thing that jumps out at people. Even though I rate him very highly at the moment, it doesn't necessarily equate to a USMNT prospect down the road. He really needs to become a player that can contribute with goals and assists from the CM position, something he doesn't do much of at the moment. He is great with the ball at his feet, which turns heads, but doesn't yet have the vision to create with the pass. I will say he is as two footed of a player as I have seen at this age. He has always played in a #6 role but has been moved up the pitch with Cochran introduced to that team. Each of those players make each other better because they are typically the two that see the game at an advanced level.

I don't like comparisons, but amongst all the scouts and agents at GA Cup in Houston, most already rate Cochran ahead of Jones at this moment. I find Jones to be a player that makes limited mistakes, but needs more "wow" moments, be it beating a player and scoring or making that decisive pass. That is the major difference between him and Cochran at this point in time.

I would add, this type of situation ties in well to @ussoccer97531 thread about opportunity. When you have been a central figure in what I think is far and away the best U15 team in the country, these things tend to happen. When any YNT needs a quick replacement, FCD isn't a bad place to grab them from.

 

Who is Cochran?

 

It seems we're developing a tradition of not saying his name here. Cochran was a code. Put an r between the o and the second c, and replace the h with an o.

 

Oooh, I’m getting closer.

Now, as someone who definitely doesn’t follow kids as closely as the rest of you, does Corcoran have a first name?

 

It rhymes with "rat."

 

Does anyone know when they play Spain today, if they haven't played already?

 

Never understood why it's so hard to take a photo of the XI and put it on Twitter. I think this match started at 2pm EST - 7pmBST

 

I’m looking forward to reading about this match sometime in April.

 

Yup it has become burdensome to follow u17s with the lack of info

 

One starter accounted for:

Unfortunately the U17 @USYNT lost to Spain 2-1, but we are happy to see Zach Booth in the starting 11! #RSL pic.twitter.com/1lYm2A08N8

— Real Salt Lake Academy (@RSLAcademy) February 19, 2020

 

U.S. U-17 boys fall to Spain, 2-1, after leading on Samuel Jones goal. Spain goals in 72nd and 92nd minutes. USA: Slonina, Tanton, Wiley, Leone, Booth, Toure, Valdez (Rotundo 72), Oliva (Alvarez (83), Yohannes (Ayala 45), Jones (Williams 57), Auvray (Yapi 45).

— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) February 19, 2020

 

Maybe genetics will surprise us but Rotundo may not grow past 5' 8''. Auvray is also not very physically imposing right now but his father is at least about 6''. There's hope.

 

I believe they probably lined up something like this.

Slonina
Tanton-Leone-Jones-Wiley
Yohannes
Booth-Valdez
Auvray-Toure-Oliva

 

U.S. Soccer report here, which notes:

The USA will be back in action against England on Feb. 21 and wrap up the tournament vs. Denmark on Feb. 24. These matches are the first of the new 2020-21 cycle for the U-17 MNT. Rules for the tournament dictate that each player on the roster is required to play at least 90 minutes over the three matches.​

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...in-first-match-of-uefa-development-tournament

That release also shows the Spain callups; I haven't looked for the England or Denmark ones.

 

Is Nati left footed? I thinkI've only seen about one clip of him but in my mind he's a right footed player.