Posts Categorized as ‘World Cup 2014’

World Cup 2014

An Old Face and A New One Light Up US U-20 Camp

Back in November, Brent reported that Joe Gyau wasn’t off Thomas Rongen’s radar. He was correct (as always).

The former U-17 star played 12 minutes in the Americans 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday. He’ll likely start against the Canucks in their game Saturday.

But he’s not the only new face in camp.

Josh Gatt is at his first American training session  at any level. He’s a winger like Gyau and came on in the 78th minute as well.

Despite following vastly different paths, the pair are quite similar. For one, they’ve had similar experiences in Europe.
(more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014, World Cup 2018/2022

Rongen Calls 24 into U-20 December Camp

A solid mix of veterans and newcomers as well as college players and professionals. As Brent predicted, Joe Gyau is back.

The roster please:

U.S. U-20 MNT Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Zac MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Kevin Piedrahita (América de Cali; Queens, N.Y.)
DEFENDERS (8): Gale Agbossoumonde (G.D. Estoril Praia; Syracuse, N.Y.), Greg Garza (G.D. Estoril Praia; Grapevine, Texas),
Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke; Missouri City, Texas), Perry Kitchen (Akron; Indianapolis, Ind.), Eric Schoenle (West Virginia; Yardley, Pa.),
Ben Sweat (South Florida; Palm Harbor, Fla.), Zarek Valentin (Akron; Lancaster, Pa.), Korey Veeder (Unattached; St. Petersburg, Fla.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Steven Evans (Portland; Troutdale, Ore.), Joshua Gatt (SC Rheindorf Altach; Plymouth, Mich.), Joe Gyau (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim; Silver Spring, Md.), Alex Molano (NK Dinamo Zagreb; Grapevine, Texas), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union; Sacramento, Calif.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA; Newport Beach, Calif.), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United; Sterling, Va.)
FORWARDS (6): Conor Doyle (Derby County FC; McKinney, Texas), Dylan Mares (Louisville; Zionsville, Ind.), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union; Alpharetta, Ga.), Adrian Ruelas (Celtic F.C.; Fontana, Calif.), Soony Saad (Michigan; Dearborn, Mich.), Omar Salgado (Unattached; El Paso, Texas)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

The Changing Face of the United States U-20 Team

“I left under the radar. I didn’t mention I was leaving. I was called to the US national team and at that point I decided it was time to move back to the US. I just told the [Chivas] coaches it was over. I was going to play for the US. They didn’t like it at all, but they couldn’t do anything about it. It was a great decision. Chivas is a great club and everything but I saw myself over here more than in Mexico.

That would be 17-year-old Omar Salgado discussing his decision to joint the United States’ U-20 squad and essentially cut ties with his Chivas club because they only employ players eligible for the Mexican national team. Aside the quote being pretty awesomely badass – I can’t help but picture Salgado sneaking out in the middle of the night – it speaks to the new reality of the American youth teams. (more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

Much Adu About Freddy

NOAH DAVIS – Freddy Adu has once again worn out his welcome.

Aris, the Greek team where Benfica loaned the 21-year-old American, is trying to get out of the deal.

“We want to cancel the rest of his contract with the Greek federation,” Aris press officer Christanthos Tsaltidis told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “We are in the courts with Freddy.”

It’s the third failed loan stint for Adu after stops at Monaco and Belenenses. He’s training with Danish side Randers FC but only to keep his form and fitness and not as a trialist.

According to the MLSsoccer.com story, there’s interest in the American from clubs in Switzerland and Denmark, and Benfica says he can go on loan or leave on a free transfer this winter.

But what’s next for the wayward talent? Is he in danger of going the Randy Moss route? (more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

S.A. 0-1 U.S. – Some Quick Observations

BRENT LATHAM – A makeshift U.S. team played pretty well in Cape Town aganst a pretty much first-choice South African team. Without doing too thorough a job (Noah does one here), because it’s late, a few thoughts from today’s U.S. – South Africa matchup in Cape Town -

1. Juan Agudelo - It’s easy to jump up and down about the youngest player ever to score for the USMNT, and it’s great to see Agudelo’s career rocketing upwards. Let’s hope he uses it instead as more motivation to keep working hard, rather than start twittering. (Oops, too late.)

Just last year at this time Agudelo was a 16-year-old who couldn’t earn a starting roll for Wilmer Cabrera’s U-17 team in Nigeria, and certainly didn’t find the net there. (Kind of reminds you of another teen prodigy who played for NYRB, didn’t see time as a 16-year-old in the Under-17 World Cup, then broke out the next year, but I digress.)

It’s also easy to get excited and write headlines about Agudelo leading the team to victory, but that’s not very precise, and overshadows more important issues that include but are not all about the young Red Bull, namely… (more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

The Rise of Mix Diskerud

BRENT LATHAM -Seems like there’s been plenty of attention paid to some of the young guys Bob Bradley has called in for today’s friendly with South Africa.

Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury and Gale Agbossoumonde are all exciting young prospects that may have a bright future with the U.S. national team. (Leander Schaerlaeckens has an interesting article on “Boss” on ESPN.com today – let the official debate over Traffic begin).

Then there’s Mikkel Diskerud. The kid’s been rapidly rising in the Norwegian league and seems headed for bigger and better things in Europe soon – given that he has no work permit issues.

Here’s a little piece on Diskerud’s background to this point, for those who don’t know much about the 20-year-old, who told me his main professional goal at this point is to get to the 2012 Olympics with the U.S.

(more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

Has a New Leaf Been Turned with This Roster?

BRENT LATHAM – Just when the rosters were getting predictable enough to put you to sleep, this happens.

Bob Bradley has named the roster that will travel to South Africa for next week’s scrimmage with Bafana Bafana, and though the game is meaningless, the composition of the 18 named to travel is not.

Anybody who’s playing at all in Europe was left with  his club team, meaning the roster is comprised of MLS players and Europe-based players not seeing the field at all this season, like Jonathan Spector and Brad Guzan, or in their (Scandinavian) off-season.

But more interesting than who’s not coming is who is. With the possible exception of Columbus Crew midfielder Brian Carroll and maybe Logan Pause, it’s hard to take exception to any of Bradley’s picks or label them as simply middle of the road players, not really capable of ever wearing the jersey in a high profile match.

This is a team of young guys with potential – just the sort of roster that can most gain from an experience like this – and that’s what makes it so strange for Bob Bradley.

(more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

THURS Nov. 11 (AM): Edu, South Africa Roster, Moreno to U-20s

There’s a lot of waiting going on in the United States national team camp today. While Maurice Edu hangs around hoping to hear good news about his knee injury, fans of the squad eagerly await the unveiling of Bob Bradley’s roster for Nov. 17th friendly in South Africa. If early reports are to be believed, he’s going young and inexperienced.

Rumors mill, spin: Robbie Findley and Nat Borchers. Brian Carroll, Robbie Rogers, and Eddie Gaven. Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo. The roster drops at 1 p.m. (more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014, World Cup 2018/2022

And Then There Was Juan Agudelo

NOAH DAVIS – A month ago, Juan Agudelo couldn’t get on the field. Then, he started both matches during the New York Red Bull’s two-game playoff stint, shining despite his side’s surprise defeat.

Next up? How about earning a call to the United States national team match with South Africa?

If the rumors are true, it will be a packed couple of weeks for the striker who turns 18 on November 23. He would join the senior team, presumably departing the US this weekend, train through the match on November 17, then jet back to the States to star with the U-20 side as it takes on Mexico and Colombia in the Torneo de las Americas in Kennesaw, Ga.

Tim Ream, for one, believes his fellow rookie can handle the load. (more…)

by
United States, World Cup 2014

An American Soccer Player in Europe

NOAH DAVIS – The United States team that take the field against Poland on Saturday will consist entirely of players on European clubs. Better yet, the majority of that 18 see time on a regular basis. Is there any better indication of the growing strength of the American program? Nope.

In 2006, almost half the Stars and Stripes’ World Cup roster consisted of domestic-based players (at a time when the quality of Major League Soccer was worse than today). Four years later, Bob Bradley can call a roster full of guys contributing to their European clubs. (Landon Donovan is the only North American-based player who’s a lock for a first-team callup.) That’s progress. (more…)

by