Tasha and the latest U21 camp: Kai gets chance to hone her skills against U.S. national team http://starbulletin.com/2004/04/28/sports/index5.html
U.S. Soccer Mourns Loss of Jenna Cooper U.S. SOCCER MOURNS THE LOSS OF U-21 WNT DEFENDER JENNA COOPER Jenna Cooper, a defender in the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team Player Pool, died of injuries sustained in a shooting that occurred in her residence in Lincoln, Neb. early Sunday morning. Cooper, a junior mechanical engineering major at Nebraska, was a standout three-year starter and co-captain for the Nebraska women’s soccer team. Cooper was last in camp with the U.S. U-21s in Carson, Calif., from Jan. 23-Feb. 1. She was also called into camps in 2003 and in March of 2002 she joined the U-21 team for a WUSA preseason tournament in Chula Vista where she made three appearances. Cooper never earned an international cap for the U.S. at any level. She is survived by her parents, William and Ellen Cooper, and her older brother Billy. She was born on Sept. 28, 1982 in Louisville, Ky., where she attended high school at the Sacred Heart Academy. U.S. Soccer President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia said: “The entire U.S. Soccer family is very saddened by this tragic loss. Our sympathy goes out to family and friends of Jenna Cooper, and our thoughts and prayers are with each of them at this difficult time. To know that a life of future promise will not be fulfilled is a devastating reality and it is at times like these when soccer concerns become trivial and the importance of our relationships as family and friends take precedence.” http://www.ussoccer.com/coaches/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=59004&itype=&iCategoryID=
R.I.P. Jenna Cooper (1982-2004) Jenna Cooper Eulogized, Laid To Rest, In Kentucky R.I.P. Jenna. We Love You!
From USSOCCER.com AUGUSTYNIAK, LLOYD JOIN OLYMPIC RESIDENCY CAMP FOR TRAINING The 5-foot-7 Lloyd, an All-American midfielder at Rutgers, was a member of the USA's last two Nordic Cup championship teams and is a major cog in the midfield for U-21 head coach Chris Petrucelli in 2004. Lloyd, who will be a senior next fall for the Scarlet Knights, played extremely well on the U-21s recent trip to China, scoring a goal and assisting on another as the U.S. defeated the full Chinese National Team, 2-0. More on Lloyd... Lloyd has Olympic aspirations Rutgers' star faces long odds. By Marc Narducci Philly Inquirer Columnist
A bit old, but here is a description of the last training camp: Julianne Sitch Wraps Up U-21 Training Camp Has anyone seen the roster for the Brazil trip yet? It is supposed to take place May 20-31.
http://starbulletin.com/2004/05/13/sports/index.html In the middle of the article: Kai makes the Brazil trip; the full roster will be announced in a few days.
Has the travel team for the U-21 Women's trip to Brazil been named? who is on it? where can I find the list? Thanks
U-21 Wnt Head To Brazil For Tournament Next Week From USSoccer U.S. Youth Update [May 17, 2004] U-21 WNT HEAD TO BRAZIL FOR TOURNAMENT NEXT WEEK: The U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team will leave for Brazil on Friday (May 21) and play in the Cataratas Tournament next week in the state of Parana, which borders Paraguay and Argentina in the south of Brazil. The U-21s will play local club team Paulistana Selection on May 23 before kicking off the tournament on May 26 against the Brazilian League All-Star Team. On May 28, the USA will then face China's Under-21 WNT, which they defeated 2-0 this year during a March trip to China, and finish the tournament with a cracker of a match against the Brazilian Olympic Team on May 29. All the matches will take place Cataratas Stadium. Head coach Chris Petrucelli has called in an 18-player roster that features two players currently in Olympic Residency camp with the senior national team in midfielder Leslie Osborne and defender Amy LePeilbet, both key members of the U-21s over the last two years. LePeilbet and midfielder Joanna Lohman are the only two players on the roster who have exhausted their college eligibility, but they are still eligible for the 2004 Nordic Cup Team as "overage" players. U-21 WNT Schedule Date Opponent May 23 Paulistana Selection May 26 League All Star Team May 28 China U-21 May 29 Brazil Selection U.S. Under-21 Roster GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (Stanford), Kati Jo Spisak (Texas A&M); DEFENDERS (4): Keeley Dowling (University of Tennessee), Hayley Hunt (Stanford), Amy LePeilbet (Arizona State), Carmen Watley (UNC); MIDFIELDERS (8): Sarah Huffman (Virginia), Lindsey Huie (Portland), Joanna Lohman (Penn State), Jill Oakes (UCLA), Leslie Osborne (Santa Clara), Julianne Sitch (DePaul), Nikki Thaden (Texas), Kacey White (UNC); FORWARDS (4): Tara Hurless (Illinois), Natasha Kai (Hawaii), Manya Makoski (Arizona State), Kelly Wilson (Texas).
Thanks for the info. I am trying to follow Nikki Thaden. She is a local girl and seems to be competing very well. I read an article in a Hawaiian newspaper that Natasha Kai has shown very well. There was even some speculation that if she has a good showing in Brazil there might be room for her on this year's Olympic team. I would think that is not likely but I don't know how these things work. Besides, I read in her bio that her birthday is today---same as mine. Thanks for the info.
The most recent Kai article, from a few days ago, is: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/May/19/sp/sp03a.html (I didn't post it before because I didn't want to wear out my welcome with Kai articles, but since someone else expressed interest!)
Thanks for the update. There has not been a single article about our local girl making the U 21 trip to China or Brazil. It seems as if Hawaii has at least recognized Ms. Kai's accomplishments thus far. I will be curious to see how the team does in Brazil--particularly against the Brazilian Olympic Team.
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=64524 Towards the middle is the report on the first game of the Brazil tour. The US beat a Sao Paulo all-star team 4-0 with goals by Natasha Kai, Tara Hurless, Nikki Thaden and Joanna Lohman. The next game is the 26th against a Brazilian league all-star team.
Manya checks in from Brazil.. Manya's Musing From Brazil (Part 1 of 2, or 3 if she skips a nap) 5/25/04 1:21 PM
Brazil Tourney schedule changes US U-21 results from Brazil tour as they preparing to defend thier Nordic Cup Championship in July. NOTE: The second game vs. Brazil All Stars was played on May 24 not the 26th I wish i know why they switch the date or they didn't have it righ at first. I count on Manya to provide more accurate report on her diary , thanks girl! There's also the ussoccer report (finally) on the match here: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=64836&itype=113&iCategoryID=0 China U-21 couldn't made it to Brazil so the US team will play Brazil senior team on May 27 and again on May 29. Here's what we have after two games played on May 23 and 24. May 23 vs. Paulistana Selection Won 4-0 W. Goals: Kai, Hurless, Thaden, Lohman – Cataratas Tournament May 24 vs. League All Star Team Won 3-2 Goals: Lohman, Huffman, Kai May 27/29 vs Brazil Selection
Switching gears for just a moment. What is the consensus on Chris Petrucelli? I see he went 3-0 on the trip to China in March and is 2-0 thus far in Brazil. They plyed the Ntional team pretty well a few weeks ago in California. Is this due to lesser competition, good coaching, great talent identification, luck.... I would like to know others' thoughts. Is he being groomed for a shot at April's position? Is he destined to follow T. Leone? He has 2 of the "Olympic Residents" with him in Brazil. As has been noted several times, there will be even more "changing of the guard" over the next 1-2 years (Hamm, chastain, millbrett, foudy. mac, etc). Does this give Leone and Petrucelli more influence? If WNT wins gold in Athens will April stay or go? what if she gets silver or bronze, or (God forbid) even less? Well, I know I threw out a lot, but am interested in your thoughts.
The youth coaches work for Ape. While mowing down the competition would be nice, the objective of the youth programs is to develop the skills of the players so that they'll be ready to move up the ladder. That can be challenging given that players cycle every year or two. Just before the players and the coaches can get familiar with each other's strengths, a new cycle begins. As a result, styles of play tend to be simplified but consistent with each coach. Hopefully, as the youth progress up the ranks, their skills would develop at a faster rate than their international peers. Rongen's work with the U20s, & Ellinger's with the U17s are good examples. They didn't stink up the joint in Qatar & in Sweden, but one has to be pleased with the skill level of the youth. In the end, only a few will remember who won where (was it Spain in Sweden? ), but everybody remembered & raved about the talent level of the ESP & the Argie youth squads.
Here's the game report from ussocccer.com http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=65479&itype=113&iCategoryID=0
Manya's Musing From Brazil (Part 2) 5/28/04 1:57 PM http://www.ussoccer.com/editorial/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=65754
Brazil Tour results U.S. U-21 WOMEN GO 2-1-1 IN BRAZIL, INCLUDING TIE WITH BRAZIL OLYMPIC TEAM Manya's Musing From Brazil (Part 3) Brazilian Blog by Hayley and Barnie
I've been traveling, and only just noticed the following article about Kai and the U21s. It's pretty good, including some quotes from coach Petrucelli http://starbulletin.com/2004/06/04/sports/story2.html
USWNT Final Training Before Nordic Cup Training camp to be held from June 21-30 at the U.S. National Team Training Center in Carson, Calif. Before Petrucelli names the 18-player team that will travel to Iceland in late July for the 14th Annual Nordic Cup. U-21 WNT Calls 22 into Camp Before Nordic Cup ussoccer.com Roster by Position GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (Stanford), Erika Bohn (Notre Dame), Kati Jo Spisak (Texas A&M); DEFENDERS (6): Keeley Dowling (Tennesse), Haley Hunt (Stanford), Kristen Moore (Portland), Esmeralda Negron (Princeton), Kate Seibert (Duke), Carmen Watley (UNC); MIDFIELDERS (8): Sarah Huffman (Virginia), Lindsey Huie (Portland), Carli Lloyd (Rutgers), Joanna Lohman (Penn State), Jill Oakes (UCLA), Julianne Sitch (DePaul), Nikki Thaden (Texas), Kacey White (UNC); FORWARDS (4): Jenny Farenbaugh (Stanford), Tara Hurless (Illinois), Natasha Kai (Hawaii), Manya Makoski (Arizona State), Kelly Wilson (Texas).
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=80960 U-21 WNT 2004 Nordic Cup Roster GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (Stanford), Kati Jo Spisak (Texas A&M); DEFENDERS (5): Keeley Dowling, (Tennessee), Jenny Farenbaugh (Stanford), Lindsey Huie (Portland), Haley Hunt (Stanford), Jill Oakes (UCLA); MIDFIELDERS (7): Lori Chalupny (North Carolina), Sarah Huffman (Virginia), Carli Lloyd (Rutgers), Joanna Lohman (Penn State), Julianne Sitch (Depaul), Nikki Thaden (Texas), Kacey White (North Carolina); FORWARDS (4): Natasha Kai (Hawaii), Esmeralda Negron (Princeton), Manya Makoski (Arizona State), Kelly Wilson (Texas).
And here is a more detailed article on the team: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=80974