I was at the game yesterday and will give as much info as I know. Score was 5-0 to the 17s. 1st ten minutes 18s were taking it to the younger Nats but then the 17s came into the game and after the 1st goal never really looked back. 1st goal was a PK by Memo after Adu burned somebody 1 v 1(which he did all day) cut the ball back and in the goalmouth scramble a handball was called. Memo easily converted the PK. The 2nd and third goals were the best of the day. Adu was fouled near the top of the box on the right hand side and Memo curled this sweet ball that Spector came in and volleyed with power past the U18 GK. Memo then scored on a direct free kick from about 23 yards over the wall. 3-0 at half. U17s sat back after the half and let the 18s have the ball for long stretches. Danny K. came off at half for the 18s. Not impressed. Sergio Flores came on and did a better job. Jamie Watson scored the 4th goal beat the GK to a long ball over the top and 5th goal was scored by #9(unsure of who it was......he was playing right mid) after Adu rec'd ball at top of box and dribbled laterally to free space and shot off the bottom of the right post. Keeper was on the ground and could do nothing to stop the follow up. U17s played 4-5-1 in both halves with Gaven up top in the 1st and Watson up top in the 2nd. I left my roster of the 18s that I had printed off so I didn't really know many of them.
Spector Forgot to say that I was very impressed with Spector. He dominated the back line. Liked Gaven up top in the 1st half. He played D-mid in the 2nd half. Adu is so quick it is unbelievable. He almost always beat his man when he attacked 1 v 1. Not too impressed with Ashe. Seemed to shy away from a few challenges. Not sure who the 17s GK was in the 2nd half but he couldn't hold onto anything. Liked Memo also especially on dead balls.
thanks for the report pvan4, 5-0! I know the 17's have had a lot more time to play together but the 18's have some players who are really U19's. That really is a thrashing, did the 18's look a little lost or unfamiliar with playing with each other or were the 17's just superior players?
He won't likely join them until after the U-17 WC in August though. And with the way he's been playing for the U-17s of late, I wouldn't be surprised to see him move up the hierarchy fairly quickly. This could turn into another Kirovski situation though. I would imagine it will be fairly hard for Spector to get a WP to play for the pro side unless he can get a Euro Passport.
How does Jed Zaynor on the 18s compare to Spector on the 17s? Did they both play? I've heard many Fire fans say that Jed is the beter player.
Actually he cannot legeally sign until he turns 18, or something like that. He won't have an official contract until this summer. What he may have signed might be equivelant to a letter of intent.
I believe one or both of his parents are British, so he can get an EU Passport (which, I think, means he could sign now). But I am really unsure on this one.
Awesome, I thought that was the case. I was getting his and Quaranta's situations mixed up though, and wasn't quite sure.
More Spector Turned 17 this month but cannot sign until August which is the next transfer window. The rules are different for kids that do not have an EU passport. 1. They cannot get a UK work permit until they have played 70 or 75 percent of the full USMNT games over a 2 year period. 2. To play in other European countries, Holland or Germany for example, without a EU passport, is 18 before 8/31 and sign during the signing window.......which closes 8/31 and does not reopen until January. Lots of rules.....
I've played and practiced with Jed a bit. I have only played once VERY BRIEFLY with Spector. I haven't seen either play in over a year. That being said Jed impressed me more, but that doesn't mean too much with my limited experience with Spector.
Re: under 17 line up Memo played well although more of the play went through Freddy. Owens is a left back I think. He played fine. Didn't get forward too much. U18s seemed to attack more down their left flank. I forgot my rosters that I had printed out. I knew some of the 17s but not many of the 18s. I was not impressed with whoever played in goal for the 17s in the 2nd half.
Dallas Cup U-17's Have an interesting schedule in the U-19 supergroup check it out at dallascup.com If I recall Donavan's U-17's had a tough go of it a few years back. If anybody goes to the tournament, let us know how it went.