Both players got a mention in this article about the US U-23 final loss to Portugal. The US lost in Penalties after the game being tied 1-1. Alecko converted his penalty. Brian caroll also setup the US's loan goal and was the team captain. http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/us0123under23.html Chicago Fire pick Nate jaqua was given the Top goal scorer award with 2 goals for the tournament.
Mapp http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/us0124under20.html Report from the US U-20 loss to mexico 3-1. "Down 2-0, the U.S. began to play as they did early in the first half. Justin Mapp, who caused the Mexican defense problems all night long with his weaving runs down the left flank, almost bagged his first goal of the year after a magical run in the 66th minute. The Chicago Fire winger skinned Joel Huiki Andrade and Medina on the left side and cut into the area, where he shot just inches wide of the far right post." and Quaranta "The reward for their pressure finally came in the73rd minute. Pressing to get back into the game, Ed Johnson and Santino Quaranta played a nice combination in the midfield that ended with Quaranta freeing the second-half substitute down the right wing with a beautiful ball. Moose created space for himself rounding a defender and his right-footed cross into the area found Magee, who headed the ball past Jose Guadalupe Martinez for his 16th Under-20 goal." "Quaranta also had a shot cleared off the line in the first half." "Quaranta’s off-balance attempt at the rebound went well wide."
There's a slew of good new stuff on TopDrawerSoccer.com pertaining to our draftees. GersMan has written a nice piece on the U-23's (Esky, Carroll and Stokes) in the finals of the tourney in Portugal: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1043356847/view US Soccer has a piece about the U-20's (Santino, Mapp) v. Mexico: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1043417843/view GersMan again about the U-20's against top teams from Columbia, Peru and Honduras: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1043182303/view And an updated Soccer365 article on Freddy Adu who will once again be training with DC United: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/TrainingGround/1043082416/view Whew, lotsa good stuff! -Tron
I still can't believe we drafted Buckethead. G'N'R must really be finished. http://www.mygnr.com/members/buckethead.html
Interesting that Carroll, who was primarily a D-mid in college and with the 20s, played right mid for the 23s in Portugal. If he can play that position successfully in MLS, that could make DCU that much more versatile, allowing Convey to spend some time in the middle and Benny on the left.
My understanding is that Ray looks to Carroll as the player Ray wanted Bryan Namoff to be. He'll play Dmid, right/left fullback, and occasionally winger. His selection doesn't really bode well for Namoff, who is a confident player. As for how this effects Convey, I do not think Ray intends to play Olsen wide left, but rather keep Convey there for the duration of the 2003 season. Eventually, when Etch and Stewart retire, only then will we see Ray move Convey back into the center. At least, that's how I understand the plan right now. Carroll's role would be more of a cover Dmid allowing either Nelsen or Dema to release forward more often with Carroll cleaning up behind them. For Convey to move into the center Ray and Trask need to either make the decision to play Dema wide left (not very likely), or one of Dema/Olsen need to be out from injury/discipline, etc. In that scenario Carroll or another draft pick (Woody?) would nominally be a left winger but would pinch in centrally to help out defensively. Unfortunately, the Justin Mapp trade effectively killed Convey's chance to move into the middle. Without that carrot to hold in front of him, we may see Convey move to Europe when his contract (newly extended approximately a year ago) runs out. Trask is grooming Dema to be his central attacking midfielder. Frankly, I think it was and is a major mistake, and it might be one that costs Convey a chance at a starting role for the 2006 World Cup team. -Tron
Also David Stokes has played, and according to reports did well. Doug Warren was the backup keeper behind the Burn's emminently skilled DJ Countess. -Tron
Tron, I've always been impressed with your depth of knowledge, and especially so recently around the draft, but c'mon. We all know you didn't like the Mapp trade. But the final roster isn't even set yet. and you're deeming that trade the one that keeps Convey from starting in the world cup 3 and a half years from now? I haven't seen Convey become part of a winning DC team yet--he's got a lot to prove on the MLS level, let alone the full US side. But that's beside the point. I like the Mapp for Dema trade. I think it's gonna help us for the next two years--and in MLS, you can't have a longer timeframe than that, given the uncertainties of the league and the effect of the salary cap. It's strains credibility a bit even to claim what this year's starting DC lineup is going to be, let alone that this year (with the 20 different starting lineups that Ray will employ) will be more important than the next 3 in who plays for Arena in Germany.