USMNT / World Cup

US National Team Mishmash

The first group of players for the U-20 National Team that will compete for the 2011 U-20 World Cup will be getting together after the New Year for a training camp. There do not seem to be any friendlies scheduled and the list of names includes most of the important faces from the former U-17 squad that competed earlier this year for the U-17 World Cup. These are not the same guys who just played in the Nike International Friendlies but the ones who are no longer age eligible for the U-17s. There are a few new faces from colleges, abroad, and club teams throughout the US. The only thing surprising about this group was that it excluded Joseph Gyau and Charles Renken, who were also left off the U-17 squad at the U-17 World Cup. Both are quite talented and signed with Hoffenheim in Germany earlier this year. Hopefully, these are not two talents who will be on their way out of the US National Team set up. Here is a list of the squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Earl Edwards (Nomads SC), Justin Luthy (Boston College), Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier)

DEFENDERS: Gale Agbossoumonde (Miami FC), Paolo Del Piccolo (Louisville), Moises Hernandez (FC Dallas Juniors), Zachary Herold (West Pines United), Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic), Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy), Kofi Sarkodie (Akron), Zarek Valentin (Akron), Jared Watts (North Meck SC; Statesville, N.C.), Ethan White (Maryland), Cesar Zamora (Chivas USA), Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride)

MIDFIELDERS: Jose Altamirano (San Diego State), Christian Castaneda (Hertha Berlin), Marlon Duran (Latino Americana), Luis Gil (Pateadores), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United), Andrew Lubahn (Wake Forest), Carlos Martinez (Wilmington Jrs.), Colin Murphy (Boston College), Amobi Okugo (UCLA), Will Packwood (Birmingham City), Nicholas Palodichuk (Washington Premier FC), Fabrice Picault (Cagliari Calcio), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame)

FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Will Bates (Virginia), Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy), Victor Chavez (Real So Cal), Ryan Finley (Duke), Stefan Jerome (West Pines United), Jack McInerney (Cobb SC), Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee)

In addition to this there has been some recent discussion of Robbie Findley being a possible replacement for Charlie Davies because of his impressive speed. I am not convinced. I would like to see him play more at the international level to see what he can do. However, given that he has only made one appearance for the Full Mens National Team I find it hard to believe that he could step in and perform on the international level like Charlie Davies. Of course that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t be a better option than Jeff Cunningham or Eddie Johnson, who continued his mediocre international level form. Findley is fast and seems to have some skill, but I don’t think he can be considered a serious option until he has had some more experience on the international stage. Maybe he will get a chance in January of next year versus Honduras.

Finally, DaMarcus Beasley seems to be rising like Lazarus from the dead. He has had a couple of decent performances for Rangers recently and might break back into the starting lineup. An in-form DaMarcus Beasley would be a great boost to the US team especially since it would fill in the left midfield spot with a pacy winger, which we haven’t had for a while. In addition lest anyone forget, Beasley won the silver ball at the 1999 U-17 World Cup, where Landon Donovan won the golden ball. That has got to say something about his talent. Beyond that he has 89 Caps for the US National Team and has played some amazing soccer in the past. At times I have thought he was better than Landon Donovan, and I hope that he comes back because he has the ability to really break down opposing teams. What are your thoughts?

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  1. beasley was absolutely a game-changer back in the day. it was disappointing to see him fall so far so fast — instead of being the quickest guy on the field, he was suddenly being outrun by people. i figured his career was just tragically short and was disappointed.

    so i’m excited to hear that he may be showing some flashes of the past. he has the potential to be, like donovan, a player that other teams really need to key on, which would open up the field to the rest of the team.

    that being said, i love the idea of seeing feilhaber in that spot. at times when our defense seemed to only know how to clear the ball by kicking it as far as possible and our offense couldn’t hold onto it, feilhaber seemed to be the only guy out there besides donovan who could create his own space, beat a defender and find the right man to play to. so i’ve liked watching him be granted some more playing time. if he’s the spot beasley’s taking, then i just hope it’s because beasley’s in top form.

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