Knowing there are so many of you that follow the US U-17s, I was wondering how everyone rated the U-17s that are heading to the ACC next year. The list that I received was the following: Clemson - Marfuggi, Chevannes, Ogunsola Duke - Helton North Carolina - Ashe, Harrington, Watson Virginia - Harrison Wake Forest - Curfman I was told that the players with the biggest upsides in the college game were Ashe (if he even attends college if he has a strong showing in the WC), Chevannes (big and athletic defender) and Helton (very fast and athletic left defender). I was also told that Harrison (lacks athletic ability) and Curfman (lacks physical build and game) could both be over their heads by trying to graduate early.
I think this poll should probably be in the college forum. I haven't had the opportunity to see any of the current U17s other than Adu play yet, so I'm not really qualified to comment. Even if the two younger players(I assume 16 year olds) are trying to graduate early and are supposedly not ready physically, they have very high potential upsides that most coaches won't pass on. What's 1 year of adjustment when they have 3 years of eligibility(assuming they stay the full four years)?
I voted for Chevannes. Of the U17s headed for the ACC, Chevannes and Ashe are the only ones who are starters for John Ellinger. Ashe is the trendy choice and I don't doubt he'll be a very good player and very likely a high-caliber pro. He's fast and left-footed and supposedly pretty good on the ball. That's tough to not vote for. But, I picked Chevannes because he is much bigger and just a physical stud. Strong and fast and a great leaper. He's good in the air and likes to go forward from his right back spot. I've heard him compared - by people who have seen him play - to Oguchi Onyewu. Ashe may end up the better player but I think Chevannes is the one player in the current 17s who deserves more hype than he's gotten but hasn't gotten any. Further, being big, strong and fast, I think he has what it takes to succeed at the college level, which, as many of us lament, doesn't always emphasize the technical game as much as we'd like.
I'm surprised that Ashe has the early lead, but I voted for him for a few reasons. He's fast and has the requisite technical ability to make an impact quickly. He's a hard worker, a decent student and a good kid. But the biggest reason is that both he and his family want him to not only play college soccer but graduate college. He's serious about life after soccer, so I doubt he would come out until his junior year at the earliest. Probably he'll play 3 years and graduate with 3.5 years of credits, then finish up the degree shortly thereafter. He may just attend for 4 full seasons. So IMHO, he's going to be a great addition to the ACC. I just wish he had stayed home and attended Virginia, heh. As for Harrison, I don't think speed will be his problem. Size might hold him back a little initially, but he'll be a very good collegian. Nobody is even mentioning Harrington. He may be quite good as well. -Tron
Graduating Early Even if the two younger players(I assume 16 year olds) are trying to graduate early and are supposedly not ready physically, they have very high potential upsides that most coaches won't pass on. What's 1 year of adjustment when they have 3 years of eligibility(assuming they stay the full four years)? All of the US U-17s who are attending college next year are graduating from high school early (they are all juniors in high school - age wise). Where some of the players mentioned (Ashe, Chevannes, Harrington, Helton) have the athletic ability to help them compete against players older and more mature, the question with Harrison (short, slower and carrying weight) and Curfman (slight physically) was that neither of those guys might have the physical tools to compete against the older and more physical players at the collegiate level.
Curfman is very versatile andshould be in the squad for qualifying. I think you are too harsh toward him.
Well just by making the right college choice, Marfuggi, Chevannes, and Ogunsola have demonstrated they are the three most intelligent players on the team. And from these three. I would have to go with Chevannes to be the most successful because of his size and athleticism. I think that Ashe's lack of size is going to hurt him in the physical ACC.
I have to agree with Sandon on this. Chevannes is best prepared to handle the rigors of the ACC, a conference that has become very physical. Just look at last season's UNC-Virginia game...a total hack-fest. If Elmar uses him properly, Ashe's size won't hurt him...after all, Noz was UNC's best player his senior year at 5-3.
7 ACC-bound players were named to the U17's 18-man roster for CONCACAF qualifying, which begins next week. North Carolina - Ashe, Harrington, Watson Clemson - Marfuggi, Chevannes, Duke - Helton Wake Forest - Curfman Barring injuries and what not, Ashe and Chevannes are definite starters and Marfuggi is neck-and-neck with a kid from the youth system of Troyes (France) to start. The others are currently reserves on the 17s, but at least they're on the squad for qualifying.