http://www.planetfootball.com/artic...=&cpid=218&title=Joy+to+follow+American+dream 21 years old. I have no idea how good he is. Add another professional defender to the Olympic pool.
IIRC, Joy played for the U-20s a couple of times in '99 and the U-18s in '98. Anyone seen him play at the youth international level, or more recently, for Kidderminster? The fact that he's having trouble breaking into a Third Division (i.e., fourth level professional) side isn't really a good sign. [BTW, did he really captain the U-20 squad as the article claims? I thought Cherundolo captained that team (the World Youth Championship squad in Nigeria).]
Supposedly last year he was got into like 20 games for Kidderminster and this year they have a different coach. From seeing Thorrington and Kirovski's experiences, that can totally kill you with a team. He was considered for last year's 2001 U20 team, not the '99 edition.
No, he didn't captain the U-20 squad. He got a very brief (1 camp) look from Herr Sunholz in early 2000. Cherundolo was in an older age group as Wanderer points out. Joy might have been the captain for the U-18 team in '98 and '99. He played regularly for Mitch Murray on those squads. Joy was already at Tranmere Rovers at that point in his career. Many of his teammates were not playing in Europe at that time. However, Joy was called up to the U-23 team for the recent tour of England. But, I don't think he played in any of those friendlies last August (injury perhaps?). BTW, the USSF listed him as 5'8" 140 lbs when he played with the U-18s in 98/99. He can play left back and possibly defensive midfield too.
I might be wrong but Im pretty sure that Matt Oliver was the captain of that U18 team Also remember that Twellman was not getting much playing time in the German 4th division and look what he did. So don't rule this guy out, but I think in all likelihood, like PNE said, he is going to end up a Seth Trembly type MLS player.
Seth Trembly is still developing though also. Obviously he won't be a superstar/national teamer, but I think he'll develop into a solid MLS starter.
I dont know about Ian Joy, I have never seen him play so I can not draw a reasonable conclussion. However, I hope he catches on with a MLS team (if not now, then with expansion) and develops into a solid player. Does anyone have any information as to where he was born? What clubs he played with growing up, etc.? I believe Tranmere was in the first division when he played with their reserves (or was it youth team?)
Yes, you are 100% - he could develope into a solid MLS starter. I really wasn't trying to imply he couldn't, but that in 2003 don't expect miracles. I'm of the crowd that doesn't look at a fringe player for a USYNT as potential Senior Nat. I look at them as pro-prospects. In regards to Twellman and the 1860 Munich reserves and Joy and Kidderminster, I think Twellman had much more success than Joy has had. Also, Twellman was a stud for the US U20's while Joy, in his stint, wasn't. I've never seen Joy play, but pedigree - when compared to Twellman (or Landon Donovan) - is not on his side. I would also bet (I know I could lose) that Trembly is ahead of Joy on the depth chart for the U23's.
We're on the same wavelength. True, fringe youth players at the U20 level don't turn out to be senior nats very often. But from the looks of it sometimes they can be solid to very good players at the MLS level--look at Ralston, Kreis, etc. However, if they are very athletic then they have a chance at a later time like Sanneh.