Although Hackworth brought most of these guys in. I think the bulk of their experience will be under Wilmer's influence. Guys listed were the starter in the Brazil game plus the new residents he just brought in. Shinsky, I like to know more about. according to TPS, he along with Alfred and Charles are 94's. I suspect they are extra special for almost playing 3 years up. Lleget looks to be taken a different route but by all accounts, he should be included. Earl Edwards Estanilao Arevalo Jared Watts Perry Kitchen Emilio Orozco Joe Gyau Marlon Duran Carlos Martinez Charles Renken Jaime Gutierrez Stefan Jerome Drew Hartell Robbie Derschang Zach Barnes Brian Span Alfred Koroma Joe Shinsky Spencer Richey.
Alfred, known widely around Dallas as "the Kid", is thought locally to be a talent on the order of an Adu or Renken. At U11, he guest played on a U16 team in Dallas Cup. At U12, he led his team to a Dallas Cup victory almost effortlessly (and many would have said single handedly). One local coach, who played in the EPL was once the manager of a team in an FA Cup Final, said he was the best player he had ever seen at that age-- anywhere. He play last year for a 93 team that was nationally ranked before his arrival, and the challenge stood him well. He played in ODP Inter-regionals for the 92's several years ago (when he was still a U12).
Damn, if he is that good we are incredibly loaded at this age group! This Alfred kid (if as good as you say) up top together would have to be probably the best U-17 forward pairing in the world, along with a midfield of like Renken and Martinez in the middle with Gyau and Lletget on the flanks would be ridicuously good!!! Also to add on that Watts who played brilliantly in the Nike friendlies at CB and againt Brazil and Edwards who looks like a fantastic goalie you have to think Cabrera and this team have a very legit shot at winning the U-17 world cup.
Searching for Alfred on TDS, I came up with the titles of articles from November 2005 ODP Inter-regionals but could no longer pull some of them up. I did find this TDS article from 2007 Dallas Cup: U14: Barcelona San Nicolas 0, Solar SC 0 (Barcelona advances on penalties, 5-4) ...Solar got the first good chance as Alfred Koroma went on a breathtaking run from his own half, beating 5 defenders before hitting a shot past the goalkeeper, only for it to hit the upright and stay out. And from TDS articles on last summers Southern Regionals-- " Solar's giant and agile forward Alfred Koroma decided to switch on in a big way at that point and pretty much singlehandedly ended the match." And about another game at 2007 regionals: "In the 2nd half, Solar's Alfred Koroma again imposed his will on the match, making a run into the area and drawing a foul for a penalty. Koroma calmly finished and Solar had a 1-0 lead. " Also, I did find this: http://www.soccerfla.com/2005/20051220.htm All-Stars Named from 2005 US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional U.S. Soccer National Staff and Collegiate Coaches Observe Play 1989, 1991 and 1992 Teams Selected FRISCO, TEXAS (December 5, 2005) – US Youth Soccer today announced the US Youth Soccer All-Star Team from the recently completed US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional in Austin, Texas from November 25-28. The 19-man rosters for the 1989, ‘91 and ‘92 All-Star teams were selected based on outstanding performance during the annual interregional event. The annual event brings together the four US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Regional Teams for player development through competition and training. In addition to the US Youth Soccer ODP Boys teams, the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) sent the U17 and U14 men’s national teams in to participate with the US Youth Soccer ODP Boys and the U16 Lone Star Soccer Club of Austin. The US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional All-Stars are as follows: ... 1992 US Youth Soccer All-Stars Name Region State Association Alfred Koroma Region III North Texas State Soccer Association (Alfred was still a U12 at the time he was named to the U14 All Star team Finally, he was the leading scorer in the U15 division of the recetnly completed US Youth Soccer National League
I tapped the breaks in talking up Alfred. Man among boys, literally. He was almost 6' at 12 and so much more physically developed than his peers. But nevertheless, he plays with both feet and fast as lightning. He is also one of those kids you just root for. I forgot which african war torn country he came from but his entire family was wiped out. I think seeing him at Bradenton validates to all the people here in NTX, he is special on the order of Adu and Renken.
He might be a great kid and a great player but let's be serious: unknown birth date, 6' at 12, the man amongst boys. He is probably 18.
Wilmer invited two players from DC United U-18 team and former Bethesda Roadrunners to the residential program. Shaq P(1992/defender) and Julio A(1992/defender). Top players from Maryland.
This generation needs a left-footer and a right-footer to step up at the fullback spots. Now maybe because they're going to have 4 attacking players that are damn near unstoppable at this level they can afford to carry a few players. The U-17's could lineup one fullback who mostly stays at home, plays it on the ground, is quick, a worker, and keeps his defensive mistakes to a minimum. Hopefully the other one can add a little more to the attack. If these players gell, and the coach does his job, this team could develop into a team that makes the semis.
He is as with every African-born player on U.S. youth teams, very very early physical developer. As a point of contrast, Jozy Altidore was smaller on his 15th birthday than Alfred was at age 12. And Jozy is not a small adult. Some of these guys will end up pretty good, as Freddy Adu did. I just don't know how to judge them. I guess the coaches figure they do. It will be nice if the Academy system can provide top-quality, Bradenton-alternative training for the athletic, skilled players who are normal or even late developers. Because there are a lot more of those prospects, after all, simply by definition. There's a certain logic in bringing all these early types together at Bradenton, where the players can't simply succeed by physically overwhelming other players, because so many other players in residency are in the same boat. It's a bit of a different vision of Bradenton, but I could see how that could work. And of course, we won't lose many youth games with those guys.
I think they are gunna be amazing...... Llegett is at West Ham right? I know Gyua is going to Bayern Munich in April.
The expectation has to be higher. If any of these players goes to college, I consider that a failure. If the vast majority receive pro contracts in Europe, that would the validation the program is on the right track. Look at the last U17 cycle, already slipping overseas. maybe we are seeing one of those once in a century cycles. Guess which one is Alfie
You got it mixed up Renken would be up top. And Lletget would be in the CAM. And Martinez would be on the flanks with Gyau. They only question is; is this alfred kid a striker or a CAM.
I appreciate everyone getting excited by touting as many youth attacking players as possible. With every tournament, we go as far as our defense takes us. And that was to the semifinals once since the birth of MLS.
I am agreed with you. Most of the conversation is above attacking players but you need to have defender with skills to keep the ball on their foot, decision making, able to defense 1:1, and able to play from the back. Shaq and Julio had demostrated it playing from one of the top teams in the country Bethesda Roadrunners, and later with DC United. Julio A scored two goals in the Nike friendlies as defender from the US National Training select team. Both kids are 6 foot and around 160 lbs, and 15 y/o. Right now, both are practicing with DC United first team in Bradenton for this week.
We've certainly headed 100% the other direction from the Cherundolo, O'Brien, Reyna, Beasley, Donovan, Hejduk school of dinky men. On the other hand, Ronaldinho, Rooney, Owen, Kaka, Riquelme, Messi, Del Piero, Eto'o, Fabergas, Robinho, oh heck I could go on forever, the vast majority of world-class attackers were much smaller as youths than the guys we're bringing in.
I like that at least some of these early developing kids are playing up years. I actually think they should do this sort of thing more often. Make 'em play with kids just as big and strong as they are so they can develop other skills rather than learning to rely on just overpowering people or racing past them. The ones who are more than just great athletes will find a way to still prosper and the ones who aren't, well...no big loss.
The US produces superior athletes, it's that easy. I'd be hard pressed to ask Randy Moss, all 6-4 of him, to not play soccer because he is too tall. He is easily faster and more agile than any of the players you listed. And not just by a little, by a lot. I think we are seeing more of the USA's superior athletes choosing the soccer route, and that means the world should be pissing their pants.
If you look at per capita Olympic medals, the US is a mid-range country. http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/reloly.html
I always hate when people cite this. The USA also sends less athletes per capita because they have a limit on how many people they can send. Also, I'm sorry, but all the synchronised swimming, water polo, javelin, figure skating etc. medals we lose out on aren't that convincing against my argument. Why don't you take a look at sprints? Again, think about the possiblities if LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawn Merriman, Randy Moss, Chad Johnson and so on had played soccer their whole lives.
Faster, yes, more agile? I highly doubt that. Soccer players are the most agile people on the planet, minus maybe Barry Sanders in his prime.
Was it really necessary to quote twice? And I just counted that we won 19 out of the 72 medals in 2004 in "Athletics." The most of any country by quite a decent amount. Was superior too strong of a word? Would it make it a little nicer to say "great?" *scratch the first question... nice edit.