Well we are never going to live in a world where every single youth player who signed a HG contract is going feel wanted. Only so many minutes to go around and plenty of players will be left out.
Maybe I'm living in a parallel universe but all current Dallas HGs seem happy under Luchi. That could quickly change but ALL have been given a fair chance; that was never the case under Pareja.
You can't make EVERYBODY happy all the time. You also have to balance first team priorities with developmental priorities. FCD was legitimately gunning for the CCL title under Pareja (they ended up giving Pachuca all they could handle in the semifinal). So the coaching staff decided to "go for it" as opposed to giving youngsters minutes. That includes youngsters that are now high profile like Cannon. This team under Luchi has no such ambitions at the moment. I will say this. Year after year after year the kids seem to come right out of academies at many clubs that are ready to contribute right away. Tanner Tessman is an example at Dallas, but there are others around the league. So yes................in the past maybe players like Coy Craft, Danny Garcia, Jonathan Top, whomever.........may not have been happy that they weren't given a chance. Those players didn't have the quality of a youngster like Ricardo Pepi. Not close. So when we say Coach X in MLS circa 2015 didn't give young players a chance, I'm mindful of the fact that many of those players weren't as ready for a role as they are now. And there weren't reserve teams for them to develop in. The early adopters of USL teams like NYRB and RSL reaped the rewards. But anyway, my point about Almeyda is that he does seem to have a plan. That plan does seem to include player/youth development. And he does seem to have a presence that folks gravitate to. I'm hopeful with what I'm seeing in San Jose. I'm also hopeful about the future of Sacramento.
I haven't given my best 20 for qualifying in over six months, so I'm going to update my thinking. I don't know when qualifying is, but I'll operate as if its early 2021. I'm going to try to keep this semi-realistic. That starts with Reyna not being an option for this team in qualifying for the U-20 WC. GK: Ochoa, Las DF: Scally, Araujo, Otasowie, Akanyirige, KHF, Gomez MF: Booth, Tessman, Atencio, Bassett, Gallegos, Nyeman, KDLF, Llanez, Harper FW: Pepi, Kelman, Hoppe Just missed: Wilson (GK), Campbell (CB), Bello (LB), Sousa (LB), Johnny Cardoso (DM), Duke (CM), Hoffmann (RB/CM), Dunbar (Wing), Milijevic (AM/Wing), Vassilev (FW), Ocampo-Chavez (FW) Keepers is pretty easy for now. It would be harder to pick if Ochoa wasn't a returning player, but he is. Wilson is added once we qualify. I don't see much competition at RB. I don't like any of the natural RB's, aside from Scally, and he might not even be a RB. I don't like the CB's either. Akanyirige is there as a back up because he can play both positions well enough as a back up with athleticism. A less versatile option for a back up CB might be George Campbell. LB may be hard to pick. I think there are a lot of very good options, but the more time goes by, I think KHF and Gomez are starting to distance themselves. Any slip ups, and I can see Bello or Sousa making the team. I don't think they're bad options. The first three CM options remain unchanged. I find it hard to believe anyone's breaking into that starting CM. Being realistic, Bassett will be there because Hudson is the coach. I don't know if he's on the team without that, but I don't think he's a terrible option as a well-rounded #8. A player like Cameron Duke probably takes his spot otherwise. The tiebreaker for back up #6 probably goes to Atencio's versatility over Cardoso to play CB. We can always use another player who can play that position on a small roster. I couldn't find a place for Ian Hoffmann, but I like his versatility. First two wingers is easy to pick. Third is a little more difficult. I wanted to find a place for Dunbar, but couldn't. I like Harper's end-product more. I wanted two players who can play as a #10. I think Nyeman needs to be there in some capacity, considering there are no clear better options. I would consider Dunbar over Gallegos to take an extra pure winger because I'd want Dunbar on the team, but Gallegos has versatility to also play as a #10, and I want someone who has that versatility. Matko Milijevic is probably a main alternative for the Gallegos role, but I like Gallegos better. I don't think the striker options are too good. I don't like what I've seen of Pepi when he plays up age groups. The adjustment takes a while for him, but do we have better options? I don't think we do. We'll have to live with it. Hoppe is another I'm unsure about, but the alternatives aren't better. Hopefully he scores more this season. Kelman edges AOC for now. Do we even know what's wrong with AOC? Kelman had a pretty decent season. Vassilev can be another option for a similar type of role to those guys, but I am admittedly not a big fan.
Fair point but it's a chicken and egg problem. When Dallas was eliminated from CCL, Cannon still only received 8 minutes the entire season. Was he better than Grana? We'll never know. We do know the Dallas front office had close connections with the agency that landed Grana in Frisco. The same could be said about Servania, Jesus, etc. Those players were sent to USL sides and rarely given first team opportunities. Would Pareja had given Cerrillo, Tessman regular minutes? Luchi did. To your point, it's hard to keep everyone happy all the time. Right now, everyone is but it may be because they are not playing. More to come from the Roberts-Luchi relationship soon. I'm also hopeful of Almeyda. He did okay with Chivas but ultimately ended up in bad terms with the former CEO.
I think we do know that Cannon was better than Grana. But with the playoffs slipping out of their grasp, Pareja relied on the veterans instead of the kids. A fateful decision. But we're getting off topic....................... Roberts is one that I think is just lost in the shuffle at the moment. I don't know how they get him playing time if everybody is healthy and available.
Could they loan him to BM to play for BM II? It's not the highest level in the world but it's a professional league, would give him a chance to start learning German and means he's not lost in the shuffle at FCD. If they're not overflowing in cm's ready for that level, BM could do FCD a huge favor.
The plan was to find him a team other than BMII in Germany where he has realistic chances of making the first team. We all know BMII is more of a dead end than Dallas. Unless Roberts finds a way to earn minutes for the rest of the MLS season, I see him playing down with North Texas again and then making one last "visit" to Munich in the fall with some surprise academy guests. From the practices I have watched, he's staying with North Texas.
mandatory read The U.S. U-20 team has been inactive on the field since its January. Behind the scenes, head coach Anthony Hudson has been very busy working with players & preparing. I spoke at length with Hudson about running that team & the development of his players https://t.co/CyFu1xqODp— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 15, 2020
Good interview by @bshredder. We can judge Hudson by the product on the field, but his interviews I've read have not relieved some of the main questions I had about his appointment.
No Johnny on Brazil’s u20 roster. I don’t know if he was contacted, just stating the info.— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) October 8, 2020
I don't know when qualifying will be, but this would be my team. I'll get to the contingencies afterwards. I know all these players won't be available. GK: Ochoa, Las DF: Scally, Araujo, Otasowie, Akanyirige, KHF, Gomez MF: Booth, Tessman, Johnny, Bassett, Nyeman, Reyna, KDLF, Llanez, Harper FW: Pepi, AOC, Hoppe Best XI: Las Scally-Araujo-Otasowie-KHF Booth-Tessman Reyna KDLF-Pepi-Llanez Just Missed: Wilson (GK), Reynolds (RB), Campbell (CB), Bello (LB), Atencio (DM/CB), Busio (DM/CM), Duke (CM), Gallegos (AM/Wing), Milijevic (AM/Wing), Dunbar (Wing), Kelman (FW) I'm really close to saying that Ochoa doesn't even deserve to be on the qualifying team. I do not think he's a top 2 goalie, but I think its close enough to not cause any issues. Based on what I've recently seen of Ochoa, I'm getting close to saying its not close enough between Ochoa and Wilson to say you bring Ochoa. For now, I'll keep Ochoa in this spot. Defense remains unchanged from the last time. Reynolds could make a push at RB, but I prefer Scally, despite Reynolds playing more in MLS. Bello (and players like Farnsworth, Sousa, Flach) could make a push at LB, but I feel like KHF is the best LB, and we cannot give Mexico a chance to cap-tie Gomez. Campbell isn't a great option, but if we need another pure CB, he's the next best pure CB. Only one change in the midfield. I've moved Johnny into the squad above Atencio. I prefer Atencio's versatility to play CB, but Johnny is now proving himself for a good team in the Brazilian league. I think he's earned a slot. I'm not a huge Busio fan, but he's having success in MLS, so he has some chance to make the team, as well. Duke is an option for a ball-carrying #8, who can also play a few other positions, but I don't see him as being all that close to making the best team. Only change in the attacking midfield is that I'm going to list Reyna for now. I didn't list him the last time because he won't be on the team. Gallegos would miss out, but Reyna won't be there when qualifying is played. Only change to the strikers is I've added AOC instead of Kelman. Too much uncertainty with Kelman's club situation for now. Ocampo-Chavez looked good in some recent USL games I've seen him play. Sounders are mismanaging him, like their other HGP's IMO. Some additional options in attack would be Milijevic and Dunbar. I know Milijevic has a lot of pixie-dust surrounding him because he plays in Argentina, he's eligible for USA, Argentina, and Croatia, and all three YNT's have interest, but I don't know that he's better than the current options. Dunbar would give us another pure winger option, but this roster wouldn't need that. Won't be available: Reyna Probably won't be availability: Llanez, KDLF Unknown availability: Araujo, Booth, Cardoso Reyna replacement: Gallegos Llanez/KDLF replacement (first player added): Dunbar Llanez/KDLF replacement #2 (second player added): Milijevic (or Kelman) Araujo replacement: Reynolds (move Scally to CB) Booth/Cardoso replacement (first player added): Atencio Booth/Cardoso replacement #2 (second player added: I'd first make sure Reynolds and Atencio are already on the team. We can make formation/position adjustments. If they are, I'd add Duke or Busio.
Bello, Clark, Busio, & Reynolds will be on the roster, if healthy. - Bello is already a solid MLS lb w/ upside. - Clark is on a rapid trajectory thru NYRB to Leipzig. May start over Gallegos. - FCD hasn't missed a beat w/ Reynolds. - Busio has shown improvement this season. If he has issues, it won't be v. kids. Gomez is 1 of those age tweeners who gets left off for kids he'll probably be better than in the future. Also this is bizarro world where lb is our strongest position. Paredes is on the young side, but the team will probably need wingers, just like the u-17's did. Nyeman is too young & there's quality ahead of him at cm. I'd argue Cuevas was better than Scally w/ the u-17's. Since has proven more as a pro. 1 of the best American teens in USL. He's also versatile. So I'd try to find a place for him. Either he signs w/ LAG or goes to Europe. CB is wide open, outside Otasowie. Some of the top usl cb's like Neal or Sargis could be there. Carrera, if he moves quick at Holstein-Kiel. Same w/ Gray at NYCFC. Maybe Scally, if that's BMG's plan. Akanyirige had a bright performance for SJ. Sepulveda is a ball-playing option. Atencio is an option, if he plays some there for Seattle. Campbell's lurking Ultimately may be a player out of position again, i.e. Araujo. GK is similar to cb behind Ochoa. Brooks Thompson looks like he's had a strong season w/ SKC2. Cervantes in usl too & on way to Rangers. Odunze has the tools. Las w/ the rep. There's a couple really young keepers, like Slonina & Emmings (if they flip him) on MLS benches. May be about opportunities.
I thought he was being projected onto some rosters. Then Pepi would be the fave to start. Kelman is in the mix if he gets a good loan. Jackson Conway is up there. He should be promoted to Atlanta soon. You wonder if cf is a way Cowell could make the roster up a cycle.
Conway has never impressed me to be honest, but he might be needed as a depth option. Pepi is locked in if he’s available. It’s looking like Kelman will move to QPR which makes his situation extremely murky.
People are assuming that Nyeman will get US citizenship very soon, but for now he is not eligible for the USYNTs as far as I know.
characterizing him as being 'thrown into the deep end' of a league considerably worse than mls by a club that was considerably worse than the best one in hungary is really kind of absurd. i guess this kid grew up a celtic fan but sheesh they seem to have an outsized opinion of themselves and their league.
While true, the last update we had was about a year ago. Are we expecting that once he's eligible there will be some official update from US Soccer, DC United, or a reporter? It's certainly conceivable that he could've received it in the last year and we wouldn't know. All we've heard was that he was close to citizenship. That was from a year ago. We don't know exactly what that means, but if it was true, it's not unlikely that he could've received his citizenship in the last year. I don't actually think we can be sure that we'd know if that happened, especially in a year where YNT's are not active and his eligibility for the USMNT or USYNT's would be irrelevant.
I also still don't understand why, if Nyeman was not a citizen, U.S. Soccer played him in international matches in last year's Nike Friendlies; I'm guessing that anything at this level that isn't part of a FIFA- or CONCACAF-sanctioned competition is basically a glorified scrimmage, so it doesn't technically "matter," though it still seems kind of odd. It's not like there aren't other ways to get guys whose citizenship is under way involved in the program.
He played in international friendlies prior to that. It's very customary to do this. Mexico does it all the time with Mexican-Americans.