The link below is a good article about U-17 player Chris Germani. He turned down an invitation to join the Bradenton program last November, but has now changed his mind. Enjoy. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/3539035.htm
Brandon Oot from Syracuse U-17 sweeper Brandon Oot was featured in a Syracuse paper earlier this month. He caught Ellinger's attention in the Copa Samsung in Costa Rica last winter. Very good article that discusses the future schedule of the U-17s. "Oot leaves this weekend for North Carolina, where he will practice with the team. They then leave for Finland, where they will begin preparing for next year's competition. School starts Sept. 2 back in Florida. "I'll only be back a few weeks before we leave again for tournaments in Italy," said Oot, who will play the sweeper position. Also on the schedule is training in Mexico and an appearance at the Disney Showcase in Orlando in December." http://www.syracuse.com/hsboyssoccer/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/102872030519603.xml
Speaking of pieces on youth players, there was an article in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Chuck Kim. Perhaps someone can dig up a link? The gist of the piece is that Kim wasn't emotionally ready to deal with the pro environment, but he's coming back for one more year.
http://www.post-gazette.com/riverhounds/20020817hounds5.asp Sounds like he isn't fitting in with the older players. Thin skinned?
umm isnt that kind of stupid 2 drop out of high school early to play in the A-league...i could see if u did it 2 play in the mls like santino...but a-league what is he gonna do after?????
Maybe he's dead set on making it in soccer. They said he turned down college scholarships so maybe he graduated early like Josh Villalobos? Perhaps even if he doesn't make it he'd rather be a coach than ever find out what it's like to sit behind a desk and wear a tie. The A-league is two levels up from high school/club ball IMHO in most cases, so this jump isn't easy. Sounds like he went in there with a Landon Donovan type attitude and has learned how to work through problems now. At the end there said something to the effect that he's going to give it his all to make something out of the situation, so I'd say he's matured.
And for the 10-millionth time, he can ALWAYS go back to college if he doesn't make it professionally. Most of us DON'T get scholarships to college. But to get into a professional training environment (assuming the setup at Pittsburgh is a good one), should facilitate his development as a player.
Edson Buddle played A-League before MLS. It's not like it's a complete dead end for a young player. It's arguably a better path for development than Pro-40, but so few players have tried it there is no way to know.