So, yesterday I was listening to SiriusXM Channel 85 (Soccer Talk). I was in the car and listened to the end of the Portugal/Wales match. Afterwards Christopher Sullivan was doing his show with Steve Cangialosi. Much to my surprise, it was actually pretty decent. Sully has always run hot and cold with me. He definitely has a tendency to #humblebrag a ton. Just when he says something really prophetic, he attaches some big ego moment to basically ruin it. One such example yesterday: He referenced a woman he was dating a while back who located someone talented in another country. He then had to say she was a former "Ms. Panama" or something like that. Completely irrelevant. Anyway, I digress. Sully mentioned something that piqued my interest. He went on and on for several minutes about some American player who is current playing in Mexico. According to him, he is the best talent he has seen in a LONG LONG time. Allegedly he feels like he will make a huge impact on the national stage. I know this is a lot of hype, but it definitely had me wondering who it is. He made it sound like he was 17 or 18. And I guess he is being scouted by a bunch of clubs from Europe. But, for some odd reason, he wouldn't say who it was. I tried to find out who this person is, but I haven't had any luck. So, I ask you Big Soccer Boards -- do you know who this is???
Gallardo left Monterrey about a year ago and hasn't found a new club since. He supposedly had a trial in Belgium over the winter, but nothing came of it. I don't think it's him.
What's the deterrence against him disclosing the kid's name? Doesn't want to create too much pressure for him? I've been impressed with Saucedo the couple times I saw him play in Mexico, but he doesn't seem the type of kid to generate that type of hype. Just a good all-around player. Doesn't possess a standout physical or skill trait, and doesn't score boatloads of goals. I think he'll be part of the senior setup in the future, but as a role guy. I'd think more along the lines of someone in their youth systems who we aren't able to see regularly. Brandon Vasquez would be a good bet because he's already with the U.S. u-20's, had a big season scoring-wise for Tijuana u-17, seemingly didn't move up only due to system congestion, he's a pretty physically imposing player (especially for someone of Mexican descent), and Klinsmann seems to be supporting him. He's taken multiple photos with him recently. I'm sure he watched him play when he visited Tijuana this past year. And his opinion means something in Europe. The other good possibilities would be Carlos Flores of Santos and Jonathan Gonzalez of Monterrey.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...m/xoloitzcuintles.eng/videos/913405088756700/ Nice interview with Vasquez
Some possibilities: Joe Gallardo, unattached from Monterrey Angel Uribe, Tijuana Brandon Vazquez, Tijuana Ernesto Espinoza, Tijuana Jonathan Gonzalez, Monterrey Benny Diaz, Queretaro (unlikely, as he's a keeper) Edwin Lara, Pachuca (though I think he's leaning toward Mexico) Jose Alfaro Jr., Monarcas Morelia Leonardo Marquez-Ramirez, Leon If I had to choose one, I'd say Uribe.
I was listening to the broadcast and had to take a few calls, so I missed a little of the exchange about the player Sully was talking about. That said, my understanding was that he didn't want to blow this kid up yet because of media coverage -- or overhype him. But, he literally talked about him in a way that I haven't hard him talk about anyone who is a semi-unknown. I did think he was also hiding who it was because he is behind the scenes trying to help him sign on somewhere in Europe. I need to try and email him and see if he will talk about it a bit more. I think we all get excited when we hear about incredible young US talent.
On another note, what happened to Gallardo? I can't imagine he'll stay unattached for too long, seems too talented to me.
Is this the same thing that's being talked about? If so....that's weird because I don't think Taitague is in Mexico lol ICYWWondering here's kid @SULLIVANFUTBOL & @gregsimo16 rave on: Nick Taitague - https://t.co/5U007UdxaT Also look for Weston's George Acosta— Phil Schoen (@PhilSchoen) July 14, 2016
That was a wild goose chase, to say the least. This kid should graduate and then bolt for Germany or somewhere to that effect, ala Haji Wright. He's not tied to a club where he has upside, or even gets paid. But the flip-side of that is he'll have freedom to go wherever he pleases, and maybe if he makes an impression with the RailHawks, he gets a decent wage with his next club, and gets to keep all of it beyond agent fees.
He may have seen Taitague when he was physically in Mexico earlier this summer with the U18s. http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...ts-chivas-4-0-in-first-training-camp-friendly NT also has a couple YA threads already: http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/nick-taitague.1994505/ http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/european-opportunities-for-nick-taitague.2031516/
Sounds like he already has a plan in place close to what I was suggesting. He has obligations this summer with a German club. But he can't move there until he's 18, which happens next February. So if all goes well this summer, which if he's the real deal it will, he'll sign a pre-contract or have a verbal agreement with the mystery German club, but then just stay with the Railhawks until the winter. Then he'll move to Germany in February. I think he should just graduate here and then do it though. It's only a few more months to finish his high school education, then he could start in preseason overseas. Just my two cents. It'll be interesting to hear the German club. He might be there right now because he stopped appearing in lineups for the Railhawks this month. Maybe BShredder or one of those cats can do some digging and write an article about it. Bayer Leverkusen has claimed they badly want a dynamic American for marketing purposes. They should put their money where their mouth is. The way Sullivan was talking about him and his situation, I presume it won't be Greuther Furth.
are you mixing him up with Weston Mckennie? McKennie was said to have a mystery Bundesliga club trying to lure him away from FCD.
I was going off the info in Dave's links: "Taitague is slated to remain with the RailHawks through the end of its NASL spring season in June. He’ll then commence a series of trials and training in Germany and possibly Spain as a prelude to beginning his professional playing career when he turns 18 in February 2017. But he and the RailHawks are already discussing ways for him to possibly return to the club throughout the remainder of the 2016 regular season. “He has some other obligations with a team in Germany that he’s been over there and worked with,” Clarke said. “But they can’t do anything until he turns 18. Hopefully we’ll be able to work it out where he spends more time here than there during the fall season.”"