Found this on USSoccer.com's Soccer Wire. RONGEN TO ANNOUNCE U.S. UNDER-20 QUALIFYING ROSTER ON OCT. 22: With CONCACAF Under-20 qualifying less than one month away, U.S. Under-20 MNT head coach Thomas Rongen will announce his 18-man qualifying roster on Oct. 22 for the tournament, which will take place at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., from Nov. 13-17. I'd make a guess at an 18-player list but with Chefik Simo's injury and not knowing whether Zak Whitbred will be available, it's tough to get a good feel for the final slots.
Sandon why don't you take a stab at it, assuming that Zak is available and, not assuming but knowing, unfortunately, that Simo is not.
As you wish... GOALKEEPERS (2): Steve Cronin, Ford Williams DEFENDERS (6): Ryan Cochrane, CJ Klaas, Chad Marshall, Steve Shirley, Frankie Simek, Zak Whitbred MIDFIELDERS (6): Devin Barclay, Ricardo Clark, Bobby Convey, David Johnson, Justin Mapp, Jordan Stone FORWARDS (4): Knox Cameron, Edward Johnson, Mike Magee, Santino Quaranta Thoughts - *Steve Cronin has missed the past 2 Santa Clara games, which is a cause for concern. If he isn't healthy, look for [i[Adam Schuerman[/i], who is playing quite well for UConn, to get the call. *The tragic injury that took Gray Griffin's life also hurts this team as Chefik Simo was the likely starting left back. With him on the shelf while he recovers from injuries, I think Shirley, who is playing very well for NAIA power Mobile gets the call. If he doesn't get the spot, it will likely go to Jordan Harvey of UCLA. *If Whitbred, who can also play left back in a pinch, doesn't get called in - he has yet to actually play with the 20s - then Rongen could opt to recall Aaron Shepherd from Holland or go with a college center back like Justin Moore of Clemson or Maryland's Chris Lancos. *He's playing so well for Indiana that it's hard to beleive I'm not including Ned Grabavoy. But, I've heard Rongen really likes Dave Johnson, who is quite versatile. While I doubt he'd drob Jordan Stone, it wouldn't shock me if he did since Johnson can back-up Clark, which would create a spot for Grabavoy. *The forwards seem pretty set unless Rongen wants to replace Cameron or Magee with Bryce Wegerle. I'm guessing camp should start Nov. 4 or 5th, meaning the college boys will miss some key chunks of their season, something that could really impact a team like Santa Clara, Michigan or Furman.
IIRC, a story on the Santa Clara website confirms that Cronin and Cochrane will be called away for two weeks. Seems like this implies one week of camp.
I just can't see Grabavoy NOT being called into this team. It's not that Indiana, with the oodles of talent they have, can't cope without him. I think Magee is more or less a lock; he's clubless has a ton of free time, and has some talent last I heard, so I think he's in. If I had to pick somebody who WOULDN't be called in because of college committments, it's Clark. With the awful disaster that's befallen Furman, to have him called away would really put the pressure on the remaining players. I'm sure it's tough enough now for those kids to train, and ultimately to play, with Gray passed away and the others out of action. With Clark off to the 20s, well...it's all just too awful to think about what they are all going through right now.
I'd agree with Sandon's list with the one exception he noted of Jordan Harvey for Steve Shirley. As for Ricardo Clark, I doubt the Furman coach would keep him from participating, so IMHO the only way he wouldn't would be if Rongen/Dir didn't feel he was up to it. From everything I've heard both of them think of him as indispensible, so I don't see them leaving him off. If his game is too effected by the tragedy then they'll likely play Jordan Stone, but I expect Ricardo to be called in and start. The goalkeeper info was good stuff, I didn't think Cronin's spot was at all in jeopardy, but maybe I'm wrong. -Tron
6 pros on this team, assuming Whitbred plays and Wegerle doesn't. Does Magee count as a pro? Are there any U-20s in MLS that are left off this list? Sachin
The only U20 that is a MLS player that I don't see on the list is Miguel Saavedra. As always, great info Sandon.
Capano, too ... it's great to see so much depth in young playmakers. (And DC's Eliseo Quintanilla is expected to play for El Salvador, of course.)
There is an article on the soccer wire that was posted last night and it says that the roster will be released today.
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=23339&itype=113&iCategoryID=0 Barclay, Devin F 5'9" 165 04/09/83 Annapolis, Md. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) Cameron, Knox F 6'3" 210 09/17/83 Bronx, N.Y. University of Michigan Clark, Ricardo M 5'10" 165 05/21/83 Jonesboro, Ga. Furman University Cochrane, Ryan D 6'1" 170 08/08/83 Portland, Ore. Santa Clara University Convey, Bobby M 5'8" 150 05/27/83 Philadelphia, Pa. D.C. United (MLS) Cronin, Steve GK 6'2" 195 05/28/83 Fair Oaks, Calif. Santa Clara University Grabavoy, Ned M 5'7" 155 07/01/83 New Lenox, Ill. Indiana University Harvey, Jordan D 5'11" 170 01/28/84 Mission Viejo, Calif. UCLA Johnson, David M 5'11" 160 01/16/84 Venice, Calif. Willem II (Holland) Johnson, Ed F 6'0" 170 03/31/84 Palm Coast, Fla. Dallas Burn (MLS) Klaas, Craig Jared D 5'7" 160 08/23/83 Cherry Valley, Ill. University of Washington Lancos, Chris D 6'1" 175 07/12/84 Belford, N.J. University of Maryland Mapp, Justin M 5'10" 160 10/18/84 Brandon, Miss. D.C. United (MLS) Marshall, Chad D 6'3" 185 08/22/84 Riverside, Calif. Stanford University Quaranta, Santino F 6'1" 185 10/14/84 Baltimore, Md. D.C. United Simek, Frank D 6'0" 175 10/13/84 Millstadt, Ill. Arsenal Stone, Jordan M 6'1" 170 03/16/83 Allen, Texas Dallas Burn (MLS) Williams, Ford GK 6'3" 190 02/20/84 Raleigh, N.C. University of North Carolina Alternates Baumstark, Clint GK 6'1" 200 01/09/83 Thornton, Colo. University of Alabama–Birmingham Capano, Craig M 5'6" 140 07/07/85 Hyde Park, N.Y. Chicago Fire (MLS) Saavedra, Miguel M 5'11" 160 07/03/83 Dallas, Texas Chicago Fire (MLS) Head Coach: Thomas Rongen Assistant Coach: Cle Kooiman Goalkeeper Coach: Dave Dir
No Magee Hmm, I'm a bit surprised that Mike Magee was not selected to the team. I guess the lack of club hurt his chances. Potential Starting Lineup: Cronin Klaas- Marshall -Cochrane-Harvey? Barclay- Grabavoy- Convey- Clark Quaranta- Johnson Top Subs: Mapp Cameron D Johnson
Looks like no Shirley, Whitbred or Magee from Sandon's prediccys - and Lancos, Harvey and Grabavoy instead. Makes sense to have Capano and Saavedra at least involved with the camp as they are not playing anywhere else just now. I wonder if there was any dispute re Whitbred being gone for the camp as well as the tournament. Did I read somewhere on here that Rongen does not like Magee?
no whitbred...sandon, will you be okay? i think we will be fine with that roster... i am thinking a scrimmage with the full us mens roster in cary?
Roster Comments: 1) I too am surprised about Magee not making the team. 2) As to the starting line-up, it will depend upon the formation Rongen uses. 3) Don't be surprised if D. Johnson gets significant playing time. 4) With Simo's absence, don't be surprised that Rongen uses a 3-5-2 (which was the most effective formation at their last international tournament per the players) in which case Stone or Johnson get added to the lineup.
Whitbread has never played with the U-20 team. He's probably keeping his international options open for an England callup in the future. If he played for the US in this tournament he would be tied forever. IMHO, the USA is his second choice. Yeah, someone posted that Rongen wasn't convinced or didn't like Magee, but that was before he fired home 4 goals against Slovakia?. I'm still surprised at his omission.
Size One thing that struck me at first glance is size. There seem to be some big bodies (compared, for example, with the 2002 Cup roster). I'm not one of those who think players need to be bigger or smaller, but this does seem to be a roster full of six-footers. Is Knox Cameron really 210 lbs.?
Re: Size Yeah, this roster is huge, even by Senior International standards. I look forward to watching them beat their opponents into the turf. Like I offered to fidlerre, if there is anyone who would like tapes of these games, please let me know. I plan on burning them to DVD. The only costs to you would be shipping and DVD media costs.
this went over like a lead balloon when it came to hooking up with people at the US Youth Nationals, but how many of you are planning on being at some of this tournament? Anyone up for a Junior Teams board soiree of some sort or another, maybe after the Friday match, Thursday or Saturday? I'll buy a round for everyone who can make it. Otherwise, anyone fancy hooking up to talk a bit of soccer at the matches?
Re: Re: Size Would I be able to get DVD copies? If so I'm definitely in. - I think Simek will get some substantial PT also.