First I'd heard of this: "... Jay Denny has been called up to play for the States in an international youth tournament in Korea. "Currently scheduled for May 29 through to June 4, the US are set to take on Korea, Portugal and Poland..." Certainly an interesting set of opponents! http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=138869&cpid=10&title=Denny+delight+at+US+call-up
The article says he's a central mid. Odds are he ain't gonna take Guillermo Gonzalez' job - not saying he couldn't, just doubtful that Ellinger would sit Memo - and Eddie Gaven and "that other kid" are pretty much locks at forward so it's not like Memo would slot up and one of the forwards would sit. So, if Denny is gonna start, that leaves either A) sit Brian Grazier, who was reportedly medicore the first 2 games of qualifying, culminating with getting tossed against El Salvador, or, B) go to a 3-5-2. That may best suit Denny's style - neither a pure 10 nor a pure D-mid, a la Claudio Reyna - but unles this kid is the bizzomb, I doubt Ellinger will alter his formation for him. Odds are, if he's gonna start, he has to beat out Grazier. Either way, I applaud Ellinger for continuing to look at players and to push the players in residency and I hope Denny has what it takes to stick. BTW, anyone know of any other kids who aren't in residency that Ellinger is gonna bring in for looks before Finland.
Based on the reviews coming out of qualifying which had Brian Grazier playing unremarkably and Danny Szetela playing well as his replacement, I'd thought Szetela might be the one to beat for the d-mid slot. Did anyone else have this impression? My received impression (though I've not seen either one play) was that Szetela was more of an attacking midfielder who'd been pressed into duty at D-Mid when Grazier got suspended. If both of these are true, then there might be an opening if Jay Denny's very good.
i don't think he'll play in front of memo either. but memo is usually subbed off late in the game especiall when the US is up. from the reports of stoke supporters, he'd be a worthy sub. i really like the fact that ellinger is calling in professionals to the U17s. it's about time that all of our MNT are made up of professionals. so the more the better.
this is what he said : “I have had a good season this year and hope to take my progression and form from Stoke onto the international stage.” “As a midfielder I would like to think I’m an all-rounder and try and base my style of game on players like Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane. “I feel I have a lot to offer and I'm confident in what I can do.” www.ussocceruk.com
Lets all pray that this kid turns into our version of Roy Keane. Guys who play like with Keane's fire and drive are more important than a flashy striker.
Not that it's a suprise, but I'm told that Memo, Gaven, Spector, Adu and Westberg are among those who will called in for this. I suppose this would be considered a pretty important tune-up if the US ends up attending, so Denny's presence there may be pretty telling.