A Busy Summer Coming Up for American Soccer...
In addition to a full slate of MLS, USL and PDL games this summer, the international calendar is chock full as well. Most American soccer fans drool over the World Cup, but this off year will provide four separate international Men's tournaments. The senior team is playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONMEBOL Copa America. The U-20 team has a World Cup in Canada while the U-17 team will be in Korea. Soccer fans delight, we've got games to watch.
In the past the U-20 team has been dominated by college players from American colleges but that is changing. As professionals start to enter the ranks, the Americans will have to be taken more seriously. There is currently a camp where head coach Rongen is evaluating talent and names on the roster vary from high school kids in the Bradenton residency program, to college kids to MLS players to European professionals. I think when the dust settles the team going to Canada will be made up mostly of professional players, putting the Americans on equal footing with the rest of the world. In fact, Freddy Adu thinks the team is ready to shine in the 2007 tournament. The Americans kick off a difficult group D on June 30th against South Korea, then on July 3rd face Poland and finish group play against Brazil on July 6th. Hopefully Adu can lead the team past some tough competition into the knock out rounds.
The U-17 team will be stocked with a lot more talent we'll see in college some day soon. Most if not all of the players going to Korea with coach Hackworth will be from the Bradenton residency program. This is a good thing for the American's chances because the players will all know each other and there won't be a game wasted as players become familiar with each other's styles. An easier group draw should benefit the Americans. The US U-17's were drawn into Group E along with Belgium, Tajikistan and Tunisia. The US will start against Tajikistan on August 20th, followed by matches against Tunisia on the 23rd and Belgium on the 26th. This will be the place to see some American stars of tomorrow.
The full Men's national team will no doubt rely on all professionals this summer so we won't focus on them. The most interesting thing in my opinion is that MLS Rookie and FCTP Rookie of the Week winner, Michael Harrington, is being named as a possible member of either the Copa America or Gold Cup side. Coach Bradley will certainly pull from a large group since there are two major tournaments so close in time, but has Harrington really proven himself ready for a full national team cap? We'll see I suppose. The Gold Cup roster is expected today as that tournament kicks off in Miami on June 6th.
Enjoy a full summer of games soccer fans!
In the past the U-20 team has been dominated by college players from American colleges but that is changing. As professionals start to enter the ranks, the Americans will have to be taken more seriously. There is currently a camp where head coach Rongen is evaluating talent and names on the roster vary from high school kids in the Bradenton residency program, to college kids to MLS players to European professionals. I think when the dust settles the team going to Canada will be made up mostly of professional players, putting the Americans on equal footing with the rest of the world. In fact, Freddy Adu thinks the team is ready to shine in the 2007 tournament. The Americans kick off a difficult group D on June 30th against South Korea, then on July 3rd face Poland and finish group play against Brazil on July 6th. Hopefully Adu can lead the team past some tough competition into the knock out rounds.
The U-17 team will be stocked with a lot more talent we'll see in college some day soon. Most if not all of the players going to Korea with coach Hackworth will be from the Bradenton residency program. This is a good thing for the American's chances because the players will all know each other and there won't be a game wasted as players become familiar with each other's styles. An easier group draw should benefit the Americans. The US U-17's were drawn into Group E along with Belgium, Tajikistan and Tunisia. The US will start against Tajikistan on August 20th, followed by matches against Tunisia on the 23rd and Belgium on the 26th. This will be the place to see some American stars of tomorrow.
The full Men's national team will no doubt rely on all professionals this summer so we won't focus on them. The most interesting thing in my opinion is that MLS Rookie and FCTP Rookie of the Week winner, Michael Harrington, is being named as a possible member of either the Copa America or Gold Cup side. Coach Bradley will certainly pull from a large group since there are two major tournaments so close in time, but has Harrington really proven himself ready for a full national team cap? We'll see I suppose. The Gold Cup roster is expected today as that tournament kicks off in Miami on June 6th.
Enjoy a full summer of games soccer fans!
Labels: CONCACAF Gold Cup, CONMEBOL Copa America, US Soccer, US U-17, US U-20
posted by Bonji at
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