-- Six MLS players, including teenage star Santino Quaranta of D.C. United, were selected Tuesday to the U.S. Under-20 national team for qualifying games for the World Youth Championship. Of the 18 players selected by coach Thomas Rongen, 11 came from the U.S. Soccer residency program, including goalkeeper Steve Cronin and midfielder Bobby Convey. Both were members of the U.S. squad that finished fourth at the 1999 Under-17 World Championship. The other MLS players are Convey (United), Devin Barclay (San Jose Earthquakes), Ed Johnson (Dallas Burn), Justin Mapp (United), and Jordan Stone (Burn). Frank Simek, who plays for Arsenal in England, and David Johnson of Willem II in the Netherlands, are the other professionals on the team. http://espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/1022/1449558.html
Actually it's seven players as Eliseo Quintanilla will play for the El Salvador U-20s. If both the USA and El Salvador make it to the finals, DC United will really suffer at the beginning of next season with 3 starters and a sub gone. Sachin
I'm looking forward to Convey running the middle with Mapp on the left wing. I think this team has much more depth than our past teams, and if we struggle in any game it should be considered a setback, even if we win the game. The US's talent at this level is as good as anyones on the high end and probably the best when you get to the bottom of the roster. It's nice to finally be the 800 pound gorilla of something, heh. -Tron