David Testo, a rookie with the Richmond Kickers, has been called in for Wendesday's US U23 national team game against Mexico. MAPP, TESTO ADDED TO U.S. UNDER-23 MNT ROSTER FOR MAY 14 MEXICO FRIENDLY: U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team head coach Glenn “Mooch” Myernick added Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire) and David Testo (Richmond Kickers) to his 18-man squad to face Mexico on Wednesday, May 14 in Guadalajara’s Estadio Jalisco at 8 p.m. CT. Testo and Mapp were named to the roster replacing Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew) and Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), who were both banged up in their respective MLS matches last weekend. The roster also includes 2002 World Cup stars Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, who both played a full 90 minutes in the MNT’s 0-0 draw with Mexico on May 8. Next week’s match versus the Mexican U-23s will mark the first time that the two players have appeared with the U.S. Under-23 squad since 2000. Other stars on the roster include 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year Kyle Martino and the 2002 Herman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Alecko Eskandarian. In all, 14 players on the roster play in MLS, two play in Europe, one plays in the A-League and one is still in college. The U-23s have gathered just once prior in 2003, posting a 1-1-3 record on a two-week trip to Portugal in January. The U.S. Under-23 MNT will begin qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in November, entering the tournament in the second round vs. the winner of the St. Kitts & Neves vs. Dominica first-round home-and-home series. U.S. Under-23 MNT Roster GOALKEEPERS (2): D.J. Countess (Dallas Burn), Doug Warren (D.C. United); DEFENDERS (6): Kelly Gray (Chicago Fire), Ricky Lewis (L.A. Galaxy), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Metz), David Stokes (D.C. United), Chris Wingert (St. John’s University), Alexander Yi (Royal Antwerp FC); MIDFIELDERS (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (MetroStars), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), David Testo (Richmond Kickers); FORWARDS (3): Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United), Nate Jaqua (Chicago Fire) As I said on a thread in the youth national team forum, I like that Mooch is being this through and it's good that guys who are excelling in the A-League are getting called in. If I recall correctly, the last A-Leaguer to get called up to a YNT was Edson Buddle, then with the Long Island RoughRiders, who was called up to the U20 team in 2000.
of course, the PDL also has one player called up in the lone collegiate player on the team, Chris Wingert from the Brooklyn Knights.
Yes, they certainly did. But PDL players getting called in aren't all that uncommon. And, in fairness, Wingert was called up because of what he's done with the 23s and at St. John's and not because of what he's done with Brooklyn. By contrast, Testo has played very well for Richmond and I think his call-up is reflective of that. That said, I'm really glad to see Wingert playing for Brooklyn and hope to see more youth national teamers (Adolfo Gregorio of the 23s and UCLA is playing for Orange County) playing in the PDL.
Interesting that Quaranta got called up for the Wales friendly, yet continues to get ignored by Mooch.
As it was explained by someone else to me, the only reason both Quaranta and Convey were passed over by Mooch is because DC is playing Tottenham in a friendly tomorrow and Mooch was respectful of Hudson's desire to put out their first team against the EPL squad.
that is the best explaination that i've heard yet for convey's omission. thanks. btw, stogey, what's my girlfriend's picture doing on your avatar?
Testo did the USL and the A-League proud, scoring the insurance goal in rather memorable fashion. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=35553 But with just a minute left in regulation, after the crowd succeeded in convincing the goalkeeper to trot up field for a free kick, Mexico was punished for their act of desperation. Richmond Kickers midfielder David Testo, who had entered in the 90th minute for a battered and bruised Jaqua, quickly jumped on the free kick clearance. Standing about 10 yards from the top of the penalty area, he didn't waste a second in crushing a ball from 70 yards out that took two or three bounces and gently rolled across the middle of the goalline as midfielder Eduardo Rergis scampered back to no avail. "I knew the goalie was out. I just looked up and kicked the (crap) out if it," said Testo, of the fluke goal. "I had no idea it would actually go in."
wingert isnt with westchester since westcheste is considered a professional club. he is with the brooklyn knights, last year was with the chicago fire reserves in the pdl.
I thought it was common for players called into the full national team to not be brought into the youth squad. Seems to be that way in England, at least.
Quaranta wasn't called up for Wales anyway... some abdominal injury, apparently. Eskandarian went instead.