US Soccer at Under 20 World Cup

[A-Tex Devil]

For those that haven't been noticing, our men's under 20 team is doing something pretty special in Canada. After a lackluster game against S. Korea where they picked up the draw, they hammered Poland (who had just beaten Brazil) 6-1. Freddy Adu had a hat trick.

Tonight they beat Brazil 2-1 in a game they earned. There was no luck about it. This team still needs to prove themselves in the knockout rounds, and U-20 success doesn't always translate into national team success down the line, but man are there some skilled kids out there. Bodes well for South Africa in 2010.

[Deslok]

The thing that is very nice to see is that the U-20s are deep with attackers, both attacking mids(Adu, Zizzo, and Sv...er him) and forwards(Altidore). Since that's the particular area that the senior nats are lacking, its very promising to see when looking towards 2010 and 2014(I'm not sure on our corner backs, I was underwhelmed vs S. Korea, Poland really didn't challenge us, and I missed the Brazil game, but almost everyone in the world is week back there). But the U-20s are a very fun teams to watch so if you get a chance check out the matches(and Mexico and Argentina, who brought excellent squads, and Messi isn't even out there for them as he's at Copa).

[JBDuke]

I hardly follow soccer at any level, so I solicit the opinion of those more knowledgeable than I... How much do you think Adu skews things? My impression is that he really stands out in these U20 games and that our performances may very well have not been nearly as impressive without him in red, white, and blue. (Kind of like Redick was for Duke in 05-06.)

[Deslok]

There is no question that Adu is the star(and captain) of the team. But unlike basketball, with 11 players out there, one player really can't totally transform a team nearly as much. As I mentioned earlier, this team really does have some good attackers across the board. Yeah Adu is the best, and drives things, but Altidore, Zizzo, Szetela, Rogers, etc are all quality who I suspect will be attracting some European attention after the tournament. They are the type of players with confidence and skill to take it at defenders man on man to get by and let rip. The US really hasn't had that for some time now. If you take Adu out of the mix, we'd still need a better target forward, as he's probably the only one who can take it right up the teeth of the defense(the other mids are very effective on the wings, and Altidore is excellent with with a fairly quick touch and strike, but I'm not entirely sold on him as a dribble attacker). But basically, to answer your question, without Adu, we are a step behind Argentina and Mexico, but that's really about it. As it is, we are up there with them, and everyone else is a step back.

[JBDuke]

Thanks, Des. I guess I'm showing my ignorance of soccer tactics, but I guess I thought that having Adu on the team would demand so much attention from the defense that it would make the other offensive players on the team look better than they really are (again, kind of like JJ did for us).

I glad to know Freddy is not alone among rising young soccer stars in the US.

[greybeard]

Not so sure that Adu is the best of the under 20s. His hat trick against Poland came against a much weaker team that gave up 6 goals. Six is a big number.

I didn't see the Brazilian game. Watching him for DC United, however, he was less than impressive even at his best, and there was at least one other teen in MLS last year who outshined him. I don't know whether Bradley's kid is older than 20; if he is, it is not by much. He outshines Adu big time.

What seems ridiculously impressive is the way the older guys have come together this year after Arenas predicted a severe and prolonged draught on the international scene. The Gold cup performance was huge. Bradley and the guy with an Israelie background who combine in the midfield have been wonderful surprises as organizers/distributers/50-50 ball winners, with the Israelie-background guy also showing physical strength and an on-goal intensity that I am not sure we have seen in an American mid-fielder.

Aside from Mastrioni (spelling ugh), it is difficult to see anyone approaching world class in the defense however. Could be a fatal problem.

[Deslok]

Bradley has looked pretty good in a couple of appearances with the senior nats. Surprisingly, he's about the one player that I've been disappointed with on the U-20s. In the game against Poland either he got the ball and turned his back to goal and passed back to midfield somewhere, or let loose a 30+ yard shot that had neither accuracy nor power. In the midst of a host of other guys looking amazing, was kind of distressing. But he has looked fine with the senior squad in earlier appearances(not amazing or anything, just not overmatched).

We've got a fairly decent group of young center backs, its out wide that, yeah, I don't know.

[greybeard]

Bradley has looked pretty good in a couple of appearances with the senior nats. Surprisingly, he's about the one player that I've been disappointed with on the U-20s. In the game against Poland either he got the ball and turned his back to goal and passed back to midfield somewhere, or let loose a 30+ yard shot that had neither accuracy nor power. In the midst of a host of other guys looking amazing, was kind of distressing. But he has looked fine with the senior squad in earlier appearances(not amazing or anything, just not overmatched).

We've got a fairly decent group of young center backs, its out wide that, yeah, I don't know.

Maybe he crashed after having not screwed up playing with the bigs for his Dad? Sounds like the U-20s were really worth seeing. Sorry I missed them.

[FreezingDevil]

While he has had a underwhelming U-20 tournament, I'm still impressed with the young Bradley. I think it is incredible just how much this kid has improved over the past year. Do you remember how green and lost he looked a year ago for the men's varsity before the WC? Now the kid has become a key part of the central midfield rotation.

It is interesting how a guy can have a solid tournament with the varsity (except for a dumb late tackle against Panama) and then be somewhat of a no-show with the U-20 group. I think it comes down to the fact that Bradley has to play a different role with a completely different set of guys. The presence of Adu must certainly change things for Bradley. Being that Adu is so attack minded (3 goals and how many assists in the past 3 games?), it does not lie with Bradley to push the ball and create opportunities. His role seems to be more of a holding midfielder role -- a role that often goes unhailed and unnoticed. As long as he can break up enough plays and limit taking those ugly 40-yard shots, he will be fine. Of course, I was saying that about Feilhaber three weeks ago, and look what he pulls off against Mexico...

[FreezingDevil]

All this talk about Freddy Adu got me thinking: should the kid bolt MLS for Europe? In my estimation, it is time to make the leap after his season with Salt Lake ends in the fall. For starters, now that he is 18, he is finally eligible to play in Europe. And playing for Salt Lake, while coached by a dukie, is not helping his career. What he needs is to be surrounded by some of the best players in the world day in and day out. To do that, he needs to go to Europe.

Being 18, Freddy is no longer a boy. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi were shining in Europe at his age. If Freddy waits any longer, until he is 20 or 22, he will be considered far too old to sign. In 2 or 3 years, there will be a whole new crop of crazy talented players from around the world and Freddy will be yesterdays news.

Now lets say Freddy agrees with me and decides to bolt for Europe. Where now (England, Netherlands, Germany) should he go? Thats a question I'd like answered.

[greybeard]

All this talk about Freddy Adu got me thinking: should the kid bolt MLS for Europe? In my estimation, it is time to make the leap after his season with Salt Lake ends in the fall. For starters, now that he is 18, he is finally eligible to play in Europe. And playing for Salt Lake, while coached by a dukie, is not helping his career. What he needs is to be surrounded by some of the best players in the world day in and day out. To do that, he needs to go to Europe.

Being 18, Freddy is no longer a boy. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi were shining in Europe at his age. If Freddy waits any longer, until he is 20 or 22, he will be considered far too old to sign. In 2 or 3 years, there will be a whole new crop of crazy talented players from around the world and Freddy will be yesterdays news.

Now lets say Freddy agrees with me and decides to bolt for Europe. Where now (England, Netherlands, Germany) should he go? Thats a question I'd like answered.

Interesting. You think that Adu has that kind of potential star power. Those are some bigggg names you mentioned. It seems that in America Adu's star has never risen; I thought it was because he was less than all that. You are implying that that might not be so--that his performance in the U-20s is more of what he's capable of. That would be terrific.

From what you hear on the TV, he will go to Europe after this year. If he does not, I think it would be because they slot him too low and he might still think his best bet is to continue to cash in on his commercial value here.

Feilhaber, that's the other mid I was talking about. Seems that next to Mastrioni (spelling), he is the one American I see playing as strong, for lack of a better term, as the Internationals. Between Feilhaber and Bradley (I love that term "holding midfielder," btw; have heard it before but it does so describe a significant aspect of what I liked about Bradley's game), Arenas's guy in the middle (don't get old), who Arenas undoubtedly believes is irreplaceable for the Americanos in the short run, might not be such an irreplaceable loss.

The outside you are talking about are the outside backs, or the mids also? "You, you got a gift. No, yes you do,you. You, you got a gift." DeNiro, Analyze This and That.

[gvtucker]

Not so sure that Adu is the best of the under 20s. His hat trick against Poland came against a much weaker team that gave up 6 goals. Six is a big number.
Poland isn't a bad team. They finished 2nd in the group, ahead of a solid Brazilian team.

Yeah, 6 is a very big number, but that was more due to the excellence of the USA rather than the ineptitude of Poland.

[greybeard]

Poland isn't a bad team. They finished 2nd in the group, ahead of a solid Brazilian team.

Yeah, 6 is a very big number, but that was more due to the excellence of the USA rather than the ineptitude of Poland.

6 to 1 is a whole lot of excellence. Usually bespeaks a subpar performance. But, you saw the game; I didn't.

Personally, as a DC United fan, I was underimpressed with Adu, both as striker and mid. He did not get to play in the center in the mid in DC; if he is playing there on the U-20 team and has shined, perhaps that explains why he did not do as well with DC. I have to say also that I was not a fan of the coach DC had when Adu was here. Like the current guy much more.

[Deslok]

Just a note, the u-20s are by no means done(and honestly, the should play at least 3 more games), starting with the round of 16 vs Uruguay at 7:45 tonight. I have no idea if there's any TV coverage back in the states(ESPN may be too busy showing replays of hot dog eating... or who's now,,, or wsop).

And Adu will be in Europe by next summer. He had a less than impressive tryout with Man U this last year, but this tourney should restore attraction. The style that would best suit him is probably La Ligua, but Americans never seem to go there so hopefully then he'd end up in the EPL(and rather at a decent but not top team, where he can get good minutes). I'd also like to see Altidore and others look to make that move too.

[FreezingDevil]

To be honest, I do not know what to expect out of Adu. He could develop into a truly great player with star quality or he could become a total bust who washes out before he is 25. Which direction he follows is up to him and will be decided by his decisions in the next few years.

Benny Feilhaber is a great example of the benefits that can come from playing in Europe. A few years ago, Benny was a walk-on at UCLA. He was talented, but no where near good enough to merit serious consideration. But he improved enough in college (his record there was pretty impressive) to earn a chance in Europe and he took it. Going to Hamburg from UCLA had to have been tough, but the the guy pushed through it. Playing at such an intense level with such high quality play vastly improved Benny's game. He comes back to the States and plays amazingly well for the US in the Gold Cup.

The moral of the story: playing on the fast pitches of Europe with the best players every day is the best way to improve. The hardest part, and the biggest challenge that faces Freddy, is staying mentally and physically tough throughout it all. Adjusting to a new league and a new style of play in a new country with a foreign culture is hard and not for everyone. But to become the best, a young player must embrace it.

Such an experience is precisely what Freddy, whose toughness is suspect, needs right now. If he can survive and maintain his confidence, he will emerge tougher and far more skilled than he is right now. If that happens, then we can start talking about his star potential

[greybeard]

Or he could learn from the Lakota warriers, yes?

You played and/or coached (present tense included) on a high level, yes? Cover the game for a living? If not, think about it. "You got a gift."

[greybeard]

I thought that the handle, Hoop Dreams, was something you selected. Unless you've read the book, you'd never get the Lakota reference. Thought I'd mention it lest you think me nuts (watch it).

[DevilWolf]

Through to the round of 8!!!!! Ugly game, ugly incident after the match, but a win is a win.

[JasonEvans]

Through to the round of 8!!!!! Ugly game, ugly incident after the match, but a win is a win.

I like that they scored both goals on set pieces, corner kicks by Adu. Execution on corners and free kicks is something I feel the US nas not done well over the years. We seem to try to score more on counterpunching when playing other top teams. I feel like I cannot recall the US scoring on a corner in the World Cup in forever (though I am almost certainly wrong). Anyway, I liked both the goals because they were the make of a team that was playing like a team. And I like that both plays started on Adu's foot.

-Jason "up next- Austria on Saturday" Evans

[FreezingDevil]

Ugly game. I dont think I have ever seen a game that physical. Though I was watching it in spanish I think I heard the commentator say there were over 50 fouls and 8 yellow cards! Uruguay certainly entered the match intending to intimidate the US with real physical play. Good to see that the young US guys could dish it out in return.

I saw lots of gutsy performances, but I was most impressed by the backup keeper Brian Perk. This kid filled in for the injured star Seitz and performed amazingly well. He made several key saves, especially that close one in overtime.

Adu was missing for stretches but shone when the team needed him. His service was exceptional and should have resulted in more goals if not for bad finishing. Bradley deserved that goal after a solid game of tireless work. He made so many key tackles, I lost count.

Nasty game, but a gutsy performance by the young team. They have a lot to work on before their next game, but they could go really far in this tournament if they keep this up.

[DevilWolf]

"I saw lots of gutsy performances, but I was most impressed by the backup keeper Brian Perk."

He was okay, and I see what you're getting at, but that spill job he did on the goal was awful.

[mapei]

To be honest, I'm a little surprised that Adu has been in the US long enough to be a US citizen. I'm pro-immigration, so don't get the wrong idea, but what's the rule on that?

[DevilWolf]

Adu's been here for 10 years.

[mapei]

Wow. I had thought that, when he began with DC United, he was comng from some faraway place where people weren't even sure of his age. And that was only, what, five years ago? Anyway, the US team is lucky to have him.

[Duvall]

Wow. I had thought that, when he began with DC United, he was comng from some faraway place where people weren't even sure of his age.

He was living in Potomac (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A59390-2001Aug24?language=printer).

[FreezingDevil]

Big game today for the U-20s. US vs. Austria at 2:15 TODAY on ESPNU and Telefutura. If you get either of those channels, I would highly recommend you watch it. The swiss* are very technically sound and play great defense. I predict this will be a grinder of a game, though hopefully not as ugly as the last one.


*Sorry, I meant Austrians.

[billybreen]

Big game today for the U-20s. US vs. Austria at 2:15 TODAY on ESPNU and Telefutura. If you get either of those channels, I would highly recommend you watch it. The swiss are very technically sound and play great defense. I predict this will be a grinder of a game, though hopefully not as ugly as the last one.

I don't get it. Are we playing the Swiss or the Austrians?

[Reisen]

Dagger... We couldn't seem to get our act together in the second half versus the Austrians, and were lucky the score wasn't worse (we lost 2-1 in OT). Lots of sloppy play out there from Freddy and Co. Great speed and physical play, but some poor decisions on finishing opportunities. I counted a number of times where we took shots from tough angles with a guy wide open in front of the net to pass to. Playing with 10 men for the last 20 minutes didn't help either...

[riverside6]

Admittedly, I'm a casual soccer fan, but have these games been carried on TV in the US?

[FreezingDevil]

The U-20 WC has mainly been broadcast on ESPNU and Telefutura. For US national team soccer, the broadcasting channels can vary greatly. check out www.ussoccer.com to find the full schedule of games for all levels of play. If you don't get the channel, the website also often does a matchtracker, though I've never tried it.

Thoughts on the game: a real sloppy match made sloppier by all that rain. Freddy and co. had some real quality chances, even when they were a man down, and completely duffed them all. A disappointing end to a good tournament, no doubt, but the US certainly has a lot to feel good about. I was proud of the boys in blue, despite the loss, because they played their hearts out in tough conditions.

What bothers me is this inability by Americans to finish. It afflicts both the varsity team and youth teams. Is this failure to produce a finisher a result of poor coaching, a lack of talent, or just a failure of the American system as a whole? Or am making this into a way bigger deal than I should?

[greybeard]

The U-20 WC has mainly been broadcast on ESPNU and Telefutura. For US national team soccer, the broadcasting channels can vary greatly. check out www.ussoccer.com to find the full schedule of games for all levels of play. If you don't get the channel, the website also often does a matchtracker, though I've never tried it.

Thoughts on the game: a real sloppy match made sloppier by all that rain. Freddy and co. had some real quality chances, even when they were a man down, and completely duffed them all. A disappointing end to a good tournament, no doubt, but the US certainly has a lot to feel good about. I was proud of the boys in blue, despite the loss, because they played their hearts out in tough conditions.

What bothers me is this inability by Americans to finish. It afflicts both the varsity team and youth teams. Is this failure to produce a finisher a result of poor coaching, a lack of talent, or just a failure of the American system as a whole? Or am making this into a way bigger deal than I should?

Maybe it's the system. Several years ago, Marcho Esch. (can't spell) tried to establish a soccer academy in DC. I spent an hour talking to his head guy. In Bolvia, young players in Marcho's era at least did not play on competative teams until they were 15. Until then they trained in academies.

Marcho wanted to replicate that in DC as an alternative to "Travel" soccer. His idea was that everyone would train 4 days a week learning the same system. Everyone would have reversable practice uniforms, several sets. There would be games at the end of practice. Team composition would shift every three weeks. Coaches would rotate as well.

Seemed (seems) to me a much sounder, for many reasons, approach to developmental soccer than the "club" concept. Much, much more room for experiementation and real learning, as opposed to the emphasis being on producing "results." Would seem to hold the potential for being much more "fun", without individualism being stiffled by a coach often ill-equiped to deal with it having so much "power" over a part of a kid's life that is oh so dear to him or her.

Regretably, Marcos' concept got no traction here, not even with my kid, who was and is a reasonably talented player whose love of "the beautiful game" has taken him to train in Brazil for a month in each of the last three summers. He loves exploring the game there in exactly the type of context Marcos envisioned. Go figure. Of course, there is the night life too; "what happens in Brasil, stays in Brasil," or so I am told.