Top Drawer Soccer has the list of players invited in for the start of the next U-20 selection process. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/20031128152646/view Any thoughts on this group? Any surprises as to who was included--who was not?
Gersman, Any info on the YAs that are currently U18s and who are on the radar? (other than Flores) Here are the 12 U17s from Finland on the list: Adu, Freddy Ashe, Corey Curfman, Steven DiRaimondo, John Gaven, Eddie Germani, Chris Gonzales, Guillermo Marfuggi, Phil Owen, Brandon Spector, Jonathan Szetela, Daniel Watson, Jamie Finland U17s not on the list: Helton, Kyle Harrington, Mike Grazier, Brian Valentin, Julian Chevannes, Adrian Westberg, Quentin Peterson, Jacob Sandbo, Stephen Probably shouldn't read too much into Westberg's omission as he's a Goalkeeper overseas. Alvarez would have made this U20 cycle, so he's a welcome addition to the U17 core. Flores is playing in Argentina, so he may be interesting. Barrett has had a very good Freshman season for UCLA.
I think Coach Rongen has done his homework. There have been many posts about Kyle Helton on these boards, so he may be a surprise to some. From the U-18s, Cristman and Ianni are missing. It's hard to argue against these selections, however. Adu, Gaven, Barrett, Alvarez--nice. Hopefully, there will be some scrimmages or games open to spectators.
Regulars from the U-18 team that are missing include Danny Vasquez, Adam Cristman, Pat Ianni and Isaac Collings (injured??). Vasquez is an attacking midfielder. Cristman is a classic target forward and the other two are defensive midfielders, IIRC. Nate Norman is a little bit of a surprise since he hasn't play much for Notre Dame this fall. But, Rongen has brought together most of the starters from the U-17 and U-18 teams. I'm sure he'll bring in more players in the future camps.
Issac Collings was red-shirted due to knee injury at Syracuse. Adam Cristman had a good year at UVA but not an eye opening spectacular year. Now that UVA's Big George doesn't select the roster for training camp, UVA only got one player into camp, Will Hall, a deserving choice. Will Hall go pro this year or wait another year?
Last year's list of players 2003 Roster of Players: Alvarez, Arturo F Houston, TX (Bear Creek United) Barrett, Chad F Beaverton, OR (West Side Metro Rangers) Brill, Sam D Newton, MA (FC Greater Boston Bolts) Burch, Marc F Cincinnati, OH Burke, Ryan GK Cumberland, ME (Southern Maine Premier) Capano, Craig MF Hyde Park, NY (Chicago Fire) Cristman, Adam F Glen Allen, VA (Richmond Strikers) Collings, Isaac MF Oriskany, NY (Syracuse Blitz Blizzard) Dalby, Greg D Poway, CA (San Diego Surf) Freeman, Hunter D Allen, TX (University of Virginia) Guzan, Brad GK Lockport, IL (Chicago Magic) Hall, William MF Shirley, NY (Eastmeadow Hawks) Johnson, Paul F Princeton, NJ (University of Virginia) Karbassiyoon, Danny F Roanoke, VA (Roanoke Stars) Kargbo, Abdul D Alexandria, VA (DC United U-18s) Kartunen, Andrew GK San Juan Capistrano, CA (Irvine Strikers) Lowry, Peter MF Irvine, CA (Irvine Strikers) Norman, Nate F Rochester, MI (Vardar III) Phelan, Patrick D Enfield, CT (Oakwood SC) Roman, David MF Monroeville, NJ (Pittsgrove Phantoms) Smith, Kareem D Hyde Park, MA (Beaver Country Day HS) Vasquez, Danny MF Miami, Fl Vide, Joe, MF Raleigh, NC (University of Virginia) Zayner, Jed D Orland Park, IL (Chicago Magic)
Actually, UVa had two players selected, Hall and Hunter Freeman. Christman didn't have a great freshmen year but he finished with goals in each of the Cavs' three NCAA games so that might get him a look in the future, though I suspect this group will have better forwards. Speaking of players who should be called up, based on their freshmen years I think Rongen should consider the following. BACKS Steve Purdy, D, Cal (2/5/85) 21 games, 19 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists, 1.06 team g.a.a. Georgios Spanos, D, St. John’s (6/12/85) 21 games, 21 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist, 0.73 team g.a.a. Chad Steuck, D, Virginia Tech (1/27/85) 20 games, 20 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist, 0.91 team g.a.a. MIDS Brian Grazier, M, Saint Louis (3/17/86) 21 games, 21 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists, 1.07 team g.a.a. Ryan Guy, M, San Diego (9/5/85) 19 games, 19 starts, 3 goals, 3 assists Will John, F/M, Saint Louis (6/13/85) 19 games, 14 starts, 9 goals, 3 assists *Ramon Nunez, M, Southern Methodist (11/14/85) 18 games, 15 starts, 4 goals, 10 assists FORWARDS *Omar Alfonso, F, Loyola, Md. (2/12/85) 21 games, 21 starts, 17 goals, 6 assists Robert Findley, F, Oregon State (8/4/85) 18 games, 11 starts, 10 goals, 2 assists *Not born in the United States – I know Nunez isn’t a US citizen yet and I’m not sure about Alfonso though he grew up in the States and was in the ODP Region I system. But, I'd still like to see Rongen give them a look. I'll add others I'd like to see Rongen look at as I think of them or hear about them and encourage others to make suggestions too.
One other UVA player that I think is deserving of a look is Ryan Burke. The kid played out of his mind in the ACCs, and was a big factor in the run UVA made at the end of the season. If I was picking the team I'd bring in Burke over Marfuggi.
Speaking of talented fish what is the statues of Vedad Ibisevic? From everything I've heard he's been really electric at St Louis.
Burke is too old to make the next U-20 team. Unfortunately, GG abuses his position as U-18 coach to bring in undeserving UVa players, recruits, and potential recruits from the younger age-groups. Kiel McClung from UCLA should be added to the U-20 player pool list. He receives quite a bit of PT for the Bruins as a right sided player. But, he's versatile enough to play forward and maybe central defense. Also, Junior Ybarra from Loyola Marymount deserves a look. He's techincal midfielder that was named 2nd Team WCC this season.
U-18 Player Pool Complete 2003 U-18 Player Pool ('85 age Group) Andrew Kartunen GK Stanford Greg Dalby CB Notre Dame Hunter Freeman LB Virginia William Hall DM Virginia Patrick Ianni DM UCLA Arturo Alvarez LM Quakes Chad Barrett F UCLA Adam Cristman F Virginia Nathan Norman RB Notre Dame Craig Capano AM Fire Ryan Solle D Wake Forest Patrick Phelan LCB (Wake Forest) Danny Vasquez M (?) Paul Johnson* CB Virginia Isaac Collings M Syracuse Danny Karbassiyoon* F Arsenal Brad Guzan* GK S Carolina Marc Burch* F Evansville Jed Zayner LB Indiana Kareem Smith D South Fla Ryan Burke* GK Virginia Sam Brill D Bost Coll Abdul Kargbo* D Louisburg JC Peter Lowry M (Santa Clara) Joe Vide* AM Virginia David Roman F Seton Hall Sergio Flores F Chac Jrs. Mike Zaher LB (?) Ryan Best GK Virginia Mike Videria** M (Duke) Justin Papadakis GK (Duke) Kiel McClung F UCLA Dane Murphy** M (Virginia) * born in 1984 not eligible for U-20 WC in 2005 ** born in 1986. ( ) 2004 recruit for the program
*Omar Alfonso, F, Loyola, Md. (2/12/85) 21 games, 21 starts, 17 goals, 6 assists Alfonso will be there with the Region 1 85 ODP team. The 85 ODP inter-regionals is part of the camp. Rongan will get a good look at Alfonso, the player Big George rejected to put Cristman on the national team. Mike Videria** M (Duke) Big George wined and dined this player. He even gave Videria, an 86, a spot on the 85 national team. All that love and the kid commits to Duke. So much for gratitude! Yes, I missed Hunter Freeman. He had a great year at UVA and deserves a shot at the U20's.
Re: U-18 Player Pool I don't know that its correct (though they usually are), but according to this link, Zayner was born 12/13/1984 which obviously makes him too old for the current U20s. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/TrainingGround/1042322966/view
KR, do you know if Alfonso is a US citizen yet? His Loyola bio says he was born in Colombia but it sounds like he's lived here for a while. http://loyolagreyhounds.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/alfonso_omar00.html
Re: Re: U-18 Player Pool Yeah, Zayner should've had an asterick by his name. Another player to consider for the player pool is the former Bradenton player Josh Villalobos. He was once considered the top prospect in this age-group, but his stock has been rapidly declining over the past few years. However, when the ODP teams went to Brazil last winter the Brazilians identified Nunez and Villalobos as standouts from our Regional teams. He started 17 games for Furman this season with (1G, 7A, 9pts).
Haven't seen a U18 list yet, but I would expect to see Julian Valentin (Wake) Dax McCarty (UNC), Rod Hidalgo (USF), Nathan Sturgis (Clemson) from the current U17 team to be included, perhaps others. You might also see some top recruits, Israel Jones from SMU, Stephen King from Maryland, Jeremy Barlow from UVA. Just speculation at this point.
Wouldn't all the 87s who are currently in residency be part of the next U18 pool and if not, what are they doing in residency?