GENOA, Italy (AP) - Sampdoria signed 18-year-old American striker Gabriel Enzo Ferrari to its youth team. Ferrari joined from the New York Red Bulls, Sampdoria spokesman Matteo Gamba said Friday. He could become the first American to play in the Serie A since Alexi Lalas with Padova from 1994-96. "He's got the necessary skills, eventually he'll get the opportunity," Gamba said. "He's already training with the senior squad." Another youth player who is making strides that I have never heard of. Anyone seen him play? If so, what kind of chance do you think he has of going to Canada if we qualify?
Ives Galarcep has seen him play: http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/01/your_questions_.html BILL- What's your take on Enzo Ferrari? The kids that was bought from the Red Bulls youth system by a Serie A squad. Thanks. IVES- The kid's name is Gabriel Ferrari and from what I know he has spent the past six months in Italy trying to latch on with a pro team. People overreacted to this news because all Ferrari did was secure a youth deal. And he wasn't "bought from the Red Bulls youth system". He played for the Red Bulls youth teams a year ago but once he graduated from St. Benedict's Prep he went to Italy in search of a deal. I have seen him play and he is certainly a technical skilled target forward but the kid is still very raw. In my opinion Jose Angulo, St. Benedict's Prep's leading scorer this year, is considerably better than Ferrari. ********** So who's going to start a Jose Angulo thread?
There actually may already be an Angulo thread somewhere -- I know I've seen posts on him before. He's definitely considered one of the very best prospects in the area and has already been mentioned as a potential pro out of high school.
Courtesy of Flux82 http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=news&id=2629 .... The youngster, though having Italian citizenship, is quick to point out where his international allegiance lies. "I'm American," beamed Ferrari. "I'm born American, grew up in the US and that is the country I would like to play for if I get the chance." "So many of my friends and kids I've played against growing up have been part of youth national teams and that's something I want to do as well." "My ultimate goal, though, is to play in the World Cup for the United States." .... ********** I wonder how that subject came up! Anyway, good luck!
Is Angulo American in any way? I thought I read about him somewhere that he's South American. Maybe at the ESPN preps website?
Re: Angulo (Sorry, I know this is OT) see this article by Ives Galarcep from ~14 months ago. He (Angulo) was born in Columbia, moved to the USA at the age of two, but in 2003 was turned down for Bradenton residency because he was not an American citizen and he had no application in place attempting to become one. He has since (again, as of November 2005) applied for citizenship.
regarding Angulo... this is his senior year right? so if we want him to play for the USA, he must get his citizenship this year right? lets say he wants to play in Europe and he has no US citizenship, the USSF could be screwed right?
I know it sounds humorous and/or cynical and/or mercenary - whatever - but we should have a system that identifies talented prospects at an opportune moment - say by age 16 - and makes sure all the troubling little details - such as US citizenship - are taken care of - say by age 18. I realize in actual practice that it's not so simple, but Angulo has been on our (collective) radar screen for years now. There's really no excuse for an own-goal here.
He has applied it states in that article from Ives. And that was an old article. So he may be getting it soon or possibly already have it.
'Corners' well, I hear... Sorry. Silly way to return to the thread topic to which I have nothing to add
If he doesn't have a Green Card before he turns 18 and he leaves the country to play pro ball, odds are it'll be a long time before he becomes a US citizen. If he gets his Green Card before he turns 18 (would actually be his parents getting it and he'd get one as a result) he'd be a permanent resident and could still continue on the citizenship process but he'd have to maintain his official residenc in the US and come back regulalry to show INS he still lives here. Best case scenario for him playing for the US would involve signing with MLS. I've said it before, but the USSF needs to have a program for players at the state ODP level where they screen them for citiizenship. For all the players who aren't US citizens, the USSF needs to have an education package, and perhaps counselors they can call, to teach the kids and their parents what is needed to become US citizens so they're kids can play for the US. While I agree that there is also a large onus on the immigrants to be proactive themselves in the citizenship process, especially if you've lived here many years, the USSF's charter as steward of the game here should have them doing what is needed to ensure that all those that play the game here should be able to play for the US if they are good enough and desire to do so.
Born in Colombia -- seems like Spain begs for kids like him every day. Top talent, free transfer and eligible for the Spanish citizenship in two years.
I know Angulo is not a citizen (as far as we know) but is he a permanent resident or not? Or does no one have an idea?
According to the papers and some posters here, he is applying for citizenship right now. He has to be a permanent resident/green card holder in order to be able to apply for citizenship.
http://www.sampdoria.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1077&Itemid=38 Ferrari named to squad for Sunday's match vs. Empoli.
Thanks, and wow. That was fast. Are they extenuating circumstances that have allowed him to dress like suspensions or injuries to the regular first team forwards, or is this just a reflection of how well Gabriel's shown since getting there? Oh, and one other thing: Paging Mr. Rongen, Mr. Thomas Rongen. Please pick up the white courtesy phone. Gotta give this guy a look with the 20s ASAP!
The youth foward pool is getting deeper and deeper every day isn't it. Hopefully one of them will turn out to be world class. I wish Rossi plays for us.