I have been following the discussion about Bernardo on the Yanks Abroad Thread. I am including a copy of the interview below, however, my question for those of you more in the know: What is the issue(s) surrounding this player for U-17 YMNT? I understand he is on the radar, but is there some inside information as to why The USNT program isn't agressively pursuing him, especially given his stated preference for playing for US. Just curious. Here is a copy of ben84621's translation of an Interview of Vncenzo Bernardo by a local Naples newspaper. My Italian's not perfect but I think I can do better than babelfish... though the italian in the article is a bit strange as well. How is football in Europe and particularly in Italy different from football in the USA?The football in Europe is really on a whole different level. Football in Italy is very difficult on and off the pitch. That is, there's so much pressure everytime you -something-, there are always critics. It's all in how you take it. I'm sure you know your good friend Gabriele has obtained an invitation for the U20's, how do you feel about that?How do I feel?? (smile) I'm very happy for Gabe and he certainly deserves it. I've known him for a while: he's a hard worker and a very good player. When he lived in the States I played with him at the under 16 level but he never got called up to the national team, I think because there was a surplus of talent in the pool, but now that he's in Italy I'm sure he has grown into a great player and showed well with the 2 goals in his debut. (not completely sure about this last phrase - did he score twice?) You are born in 1990 and are a citizen of both the US and Italy. Which nation do you prefer to play for in the U17 world cup, Italy or the US? I'll start by saying I'm honored to be considered for the U17 world cup in general. Regarding which nation I'll play for, I've heard that Italy is considering extending me an invitation but I was supported in the US and grew up there. Because of that I'd be a player for the US. (smile) Keeping in mind that the Italian U17 team is considering you, can we say you'll definitely play for the USA in the tournament instead? Well it's not 100%. I'm still waiting for some information from the U17 team. I spoke with Hackworth and you can say that from now I'm -something- hoping something happens sooner rather than later. I'm still waiting for my opportunity - if not with the US then with Italy.
USSF is increasingly going to need to find a way to integrate non residency U17 players into the team.
Yup. If an MLS Academy is doing its job, its players will realize that they can get the same quality training at home as in Florida. Which will change the face of the Bradenton Residency program dramatically. And which will make the U17 team much more than just a Bradenton team. Bernardo is just the starting point.
They sure do. Not just in regards to Bernardo. You also have the situation of Tommy Meyer, who is the best central defender in the group but left residency because his parents were disatisfied with the schooling there. Also Shawn Barry was not able to accept an invite because of an unusual situation with his school. With the next age group, you have Sebastian Lletgett who is apparently going to West Ham rather than Bradenton. Those types of players should not be excluded from the U17s just because they are not at Bradenton.
I can see it now, 10 years down the road Bernardo becomes a star for the Italian National team and the stories of the US U17 team never giving him a shot. The Bigsoccer community up in arms, as the USMNT is still looking for a forward who can actually score...10 years later.
There are many players that are not in Residency who are invited to u17 events. The staff has expanded looking at kids way more than ellinger and it seems they are still giving many a look.
Sadly, You're 100% right....USSF lack true professionals and men with soccer savy and heart. Enzo isn't given a chance by the moronic federation.
Um. Enzo will have 2 games with the US U-20 squad under his belt by 8 o clock tonite. Bernardo should get called up in the summer when he's done with Napoli.
Bloody opinions. Unless you've been in Bradenton you have no idea. Hear they have kids who can score but just aren't using them for that. Funny all these kids are coming out now with publicity to be on the world cup roster. Me thinks who you know gets you farther than what you know.
whats ur point?? Bernardo does not have a "connection" with the U17 USNT? therefore he does not "know" anyone that can just bring him in. He's an italian/american citizen who grew up playing soccer in america, played on the national level alwell as regional. Left to go play with one of the top youth programs in Italy (S.S.C. Napoli) Getting asked where he would perfer playing, he made it clear saying the US. So he did pretty much all he can do, its up to the U17 staff to get a hold of him and set up a date.
no updates on BERNARDO WITH THE U17'S. why arent they calling bernardo? if napoli gets knocked out by INTER after the two games in may, bernardo is most likely going to the states for the vacation time they have off when the season's finished. thats a good time to bring him in-----esp in the form he's in right now scoing 2 goals in 3 games. (and we are not talking about some club game in america.) ALLIEVI NAZIONALE--serious.
They may want him to stay with his club and continue his training. I'm sure the U17 coaches have their eye on Bernardo their just hasn't be a convenient time to call him in, you don't want the kid to travel half way around the world just for a camp and a game. If he is coming back to the states over the summer I'd expect him to be called into a camp at some point.
Maybe he's not good enough. I haven't seen him play before but that could be the case. I mean, this is a guy who in a game this week against the Region IV team got subbed out early in a loss. Maybe he got hurt. Maybe the coach saw the game was lost and decided to rest Bernardo. (He did get a goal against an Italian team later in the same tournament.) But if you aren't dominating a regional team, are you really a national team candidate? Look, it could be Bernardo is the next great American player and he's being overlooked by our YNT system. Lord knows there is plenty of precedent for good and great players our YNT coaches completely screwed the pooch with and failed to get into the system. Obviously Bernardo's resume, from playing for the best HS team in the nation to going to the youth team of a good Serie A team and playing well for them, suggests he's a good player. And he likely is. But, just because a guy is in the youth set-up of a European team doesn'mean he's good enough for our YNTs. Certainly we've seen plenty of players who were in a similar situation only to see them fail to be good enough to make an impact with the YNTs.
would it be wrong if they just brought him in for a camp to take a look? at least before the world cup, the point of these camps are to bring in the players in best form to see if they can gel into the team, it wouldnt hurt to try. Look at ferrari, no one thought he was good enough then he went to italy and surprised everyone, then did well in the U20's.
What it does mean is that he's in possession of a European passport, a big advantage that many talented young U.S. players don't always have.
I'm sure the ODP coaches are providing tapes or other feedback on Mr. Bernardo. We have to remember that the main reason he is in Italy is that he has an Italian passport, many U-15 - U17 ODP players would be in European youth acadamies if they had the passport.
Maybe we should give mroe players call ups instead of hording all the games for the select few. What I'm saying is, since predicting success from youth players is such a crap shoot, would it possibly be more in the interests of the US to give a few caps to many players, such as the kid mentioned, who may have a bright future to bring them into the fold and expand the pool, rather than spending all the time on a smaller group that may or may not pan out in the end anyway. I know lots of people want to give the games to the kids with the absolute best chance, but really, despite efforts all over the planet, there is simply no one able to predict with any sort of certainty which kids will be great players in the future. And, frankly, their professional day to cay career will be more important in forming them as players than a few national team games anyway. So, it just seems to make sense at an early age to get more rather than less kids involved, even if it means giving them just a few games each instead of giving 20 kids a bunch of games. Giving 20 kids a bunch of games together may make the team more cohesive and get better results, but it may be at the cost of letting other players slip through the cracks.
Couldn't agree more. At that age results should take a back seat to player identification and development.
No, I don't think a call-up after qualifying would hurt. Perhaps after his season ends in Italy and after the 17s qualifying - assuming they qualify - is over he should be summoned.
Officially, I don't give a crap about our U-17 teams anymore. I don't think they have the ability to find a Messi anyway. I am more interest to see who turns out for U-20. Those are players we NEVER heard in U-17s: Brian Ching Clint Dempsey Ricardo Clark Benny Feilhaber Jonathan Bernstein Lee Ngugen Charlie Davies Kamani Hill Kenny Cooper So do I miss anyone?
Oh yeah. Johann Smith, Gabe Ferrari, Chris Rolfe, Drew Moor, Brad Guzan, Chris Seitz, Maurice Edu, Bobby Boswell, Marvell Wynne, Robbie Findley, and so on.
Players we did hear about: Landon Donovan Eddie Johnson Bobby Convey Demarcus Beasley Justin Mapp Michael Bradley Jonathon Spector Gooch Nate Sturgis Freddy Adu Jozy Altidore I'll take anyone on my crew vs. the comprable position non-bradenton guy. They are getting it right on the best of the best or the mere act of playing all these games made them the best. Either way, I don't see why scrapping the bradenton concept and making the U-17 like the much less successful u-15 or u-18 programs is a good idea.