Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) I saw much of the match. The only players who really stood out for me on US side were Szeltza (sp?) and to some extent Brandon Owens. Jamaica looked a bit more skilled, but not as compact (is this a big surprise? Seems that way everyone US plays). After US scored in second half, Jamaica (could be due to 2nd half subs) looks less threatening- somewhat demoralized. Not a lot of chance for either team, but I recall US heading over a couple good chances in first half. Szeltza stood out, because he seems to have an ease about his play which is very appealing. Other players SEEMED quicker, and SEEMED to have quicker feet, but Danny (1st time I've seen him live) always did something bright with the ball (and quickly delivered) every time. The few times I saw him tackle, he executed very well. Also, he has a man' body (or almost)- very solid looking. Brandon Owens has the size, and is strong in the air. He can get up. He seemed to read the game fairly well, and has a couple of good moves. But overall, I think his footskills are weak enough where he could encounter problems at higher levels. I can/could see him having "clunker" disease, and believe he should really focus on improving his comfort on the ball going forward. So many (it seems) of our inside defenders seem to lack total comfort on the ball (even current and past National Team members) and it is important to improve on this as time goes by. I understand now the trend/idea now to switch midfielders/forwards back to defense later in teenage years... Overall, the quickness seems right, but one thing that I remain critical of: US players (and even the Jamaicans in part) don't deliver balls to teammates in which it is easy for them to handle. There is more an emphasis on 'getting it there' vs. playing a ball that is like catching a baby (on the other end). I saw a few times players drilling the ball at other players' chest, and then running for a 1-2. I'm actually impressed how players now are trained to handle these rockets at their chest. But why is such a tough ball delivered in first place? Often the result become cumulative, so by the 3rd or 4th link, the ball played becomes unplayable and play breaks down...I guess this is one difference between U-20 and the pros... Final notes: Freddy didn't play. About 100 in attendence (mostly Jamaican fans, although some could have been Ghanians). Several media and cameras- chance for anyone to go on camera and do an interview about "Freddy phenomena"....Some goober from a local station practiced, no less then 10 times (!) his intro, "South Florida is going wild over Freddy Adu, but he's not even playing today!" (pan the stands)..lol BTW- Sunrise Hilton looks mostly like a dump to me (albeit w/a soccer field). Crappy part of Miami.
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) US gets the win 1-0. Goal by Branden Owens. I think those local stations didn't do their homework as Freddy's tapped for the Haiti game on Wednesday, I believe. At least, that's what they're saying up this a way.
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) But US Soccer did have a media availability, I'm sure in part to promote the game. Dale's report (linked above) seems to highlight a few more players than jri, including Christian Jimenez. I stayed at the Sunrise Hilton before the MLS Combine last year and it was quite nice. I thought I was in Fort Lauderdale though, not Miami (but I was a first-time visitor). Freddy, Danny and others should feature against Haiti.
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) Sounds like an interesting match. If the match was closed door, how did you watch it? I like how a large amount of players are getting the oppourtunity to play. It seems Rongen is in the same vein as Arena. Play as many people that could possibly help out. Then as qualifers get closer start to bring together the squad. I imagine that the Haiti match will be a little more energetic.
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) Its west of Ft. Lauderdale, and north of Miami. Really not Miami, but looks like it (from the debris, etc.). Maybe the hotel inside is nice, but its about the most poorly landscape Hilton I've ever seen- and the surrounding area is less then appealing. They have a shurbby trees that cover the "enterence" to the field. One COULD keep people out, and even do more work (a covering behind the trees for example) to keep people from viewing- but I guess the objective was reached: There wasn't a big crowd there. I don't think it was done to prevent people from 'scouting' but rather to keep the crowds low (so Hilton parking lot wouldn't be a mess. It actually might have been funny had they tried to keep people out. It woulda been funny to hear some of the Jamaicans fans argue. They are some of my favorite fans- so much so that I half root for their team (even if US playing). For example, one guy yesterday, wearing big ol' Jamaican style hat- was ragging on his own players (hilariously, I may add) the entire game. The captain for Jamaica made a bad play, and he yelled, "Hey mon.....you call yourself a captain....you ain't no captain mon, blah, blah" (OK, sounds funnier in Jamaican accent)
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) Is Jimenez the guy w/all left foot (good dribbling) who plays forward? If so, yeah, he had some nice ball possession. I didn't have a roster, so it wasn't easy to figure out who's who...
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) Jimenez took all of the set pieces and played left mid. He looked pretty sharp with the ball at his feet and is improving on defense. I actually thought Danny had an average game and didn't stand out on the field although much of the play started going through him when he came in. THe Hilton is in Sunrise, FL west of Ft Lauderdale and while it is far from upscale, I think the Hilton facility is awesome. The facility is not necessarrily designed to keep people out, it's more of a practice field vs a sports venue. For South Florida soccer fans, it's becoming a shrine as so many teams from all levels worldwide pass through there. The media (2 of the 3 major networks) were there for the Adu human interest stuff and knew little about soccer. I must say that Freddy is amazingly poised and well-spoken for a 14 y.o. THe post game press conference was really the Adu show and he answered questions with aplomb. I will keep my eye on Brandan (if he plays tonight) to check on his fott skills but it was not something that stood out to me. It is a goal of his though to get better on the ball, which is something he is working on at UCLA. His biggest issue is communication, along the lines of an Eddie Pope. I think he can overcome this and could have a very bright future.
Re: US U20s vs Jamaica (R) Thanks for that...I was distracted much of the game: wife calling, two guys talking to me (one from Scotland, one of the tv producers), stock market dumped EOD yesterday...etc... I'm certainly not saying Brandon's problems are insurmontable- but there is a real tendency for younger players to stick w/what they are good at, and just "get by" with their weaknesses (my prime example: Beasley STILL doesn't hit the ball correctly). I certainly see his strength, size, heading as a force. Let's see if the 'lad' has that extra "I won't settle for anything less" mindset that will allow him to get more foot comfortable. For a big man, he's not bad- but professional forwards eat up every little slip-up.. (Communication) Yeah, he is the strong, silent type. I didn't hear much. I was a 'yeller' in my playing days- maybe I should have a talk with him?