The U20's are getting ready for their next camp. From US Soccer Website: UNDER-20s CONTINUE PREPARATION FOR WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: A group of college-based players will join Head Coach Thomas Rongen and U.S. Soccer Strength & Conditioning Coach Pierre Barrieu in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this week, for an intense seven-day conditioning session. The session will run from Feb. 13-19, at which point the group will be joined by Rongen's MLS-based players in Florida. The U.S. team will go through a week of preparation in Florida before departing for Portugal and the 7th Annual Madeira International Tournament on Madeira Island. In Madeira, the U.S. will face Portugal on March 3, Norway on March 5 and a Madeira Regional Select side on March 7. Last year, the U.S. Under-23 MNT finished second in the tournament. Date Opponent Kickoff (ET) March 3 Portugal 6 a.m. March 5 Norway 9 a.m. March 7 Madeira Select 5 a.m.
US U20s will play Colombia U-20's on Feb 26th in Ft. Lauderdale according to the following article. It is also on the Colombian Federation's calendar. Have not seen confirmation of this anywhere on US websites but that doesn't mean much. http://www.colombia.com/futbol/noticias/DetalleNoticia15448.asp
It seems any Euro based players in consideration for the Youth WC won't join the team until the tournament in Portugal. For instance, I know Frank Simek (Arsenal) will join the team for the tournament. I guess that is when we'll find out for sure about Zak Whitbread's intentions, too.
Can't blame the player. He's trying to play for a contract and if the team makes noises about how leaving could be a problem, what can he do? To be honest, they've got a great central defensive pairing already, so unless they would go to 3-5-2, maybe it's just as well. I'm interested to know if Ned Grabavoy will be part of this group, after ankle trouble.
I don't know how solid this logic is, but couldn't a strong performance in the WYC help Whitbred with his contract? Obviously, strong performances with the club would help more but just a thought/question.