We should also not be worried yet about the physical stature of a kid as young as Mukwelle. Call me in 2 years. Several years ago we were talking about how "munchkin"-like Emerson Hyndman was. Well, unsurprisingly, he's grown a couple of inches. We don't really talk about his height any more. Some Euro club will grab Mukwelle and work with him on how best to use his stature to his advantage. There are little wingers/forwards that people see all the time in the premier league & "big" leagues over the years. Aaron Lennon is what.................5'6? Shaun Wright-Phillips was what? 5'5"? I mean, come on, everybody knows that smaller players can find success in soccer. This isnt' rocket science. I have some faith that Mukwelle Akale won't develop into the next Brian McBride or Jozy Altidore. However, some Euro club will grab him and help him to maximize his potential.
The kid just won player of the tournament in a tournament full of full grown professionals. Rarely have we developed a kid that is as direct and shifty as Mukwelle.....look at the PK against Mexico - they couldn't handle him.
Signing a pre-contract with Villarreal http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-u18-mnt-to-sign-precontract-in-spain_aid32889
So I guess he'll follow the Junior Flores route, with periodic training visits until he turns 18 in January. Anyone know how long at a time he can spend there?
Isn't Villareal where Dani Alves ate the banana? Mukwelle Akale must be thinking what am I getting myself into.
It turns out that the banana thrower was a Villarreal youth coach. He was relieved of his duties with the youth academy and banned from the club for life.
David Campayo Lleo is apparently the guy who threw the banana at Dani Alves. A Villarreal youth coach. pic.twitter.com/BJQPLn9PoS— Outside of the Boot (@OOTB_football) May 1, 2014
Mukwelle Akale, the U-18 #USMNT's goal scorer in the final, was named top player of event; Jonathan Klinsmann named best GK— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 23, 2014
This really never sank in with USMNT fans on DMB, no matter how many times they showed his parents on TV. Nothing short of East German Pharmaceuticals was ever going to make him "bulk up"
I kind of wonder what Juergen feels about his son's success as a GK. Does he have any philosophical differences, as someone who tried to put the ball in the net? (this is mostly joking).
OWTY :: ‘Kwelle’ wins Player of the Tournament at Vaclav Jezek :: http://owhentheyanks.com/2014/08/24/kwelle-wins-player-of-the-tournament-at-vaclav-jezek/
Nice article on him http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/u-s-teen-mukwelle-akale-could-land-at-villarreal