2007 Nike Friendlies…

The 2007 Nike Friendlies kick off tomorrow, 12-6-07, at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. The US U-17 team is split into the ‘92s and ‘91s. The ‘92s are playing against international competition Russia, Brazil and Turkey while the ‘91s are playing against domestic opponents FC Delco, Real Colorado and Vardar. There will also be two US U-15 teams playing against various American club teams as part of the new US Soccer Development Academy.

These matches will be the debut of new U-17 manager Wilmer Cabrera. The former Colombian international is a veteran of two FIFA World Cups, and will be looking to transfer his experience to the young guns of American soccer.

You can watch the U-17 international matches on FSC this week. Here is the schedule. I know I’m setting my DVR to pick up all three.

We’re just 20 hours from kick off, according to USsoccer.com. Get excited people! There is a chance some of these kids will join MLS in the coming years, maybe even this January.

***Update***

I noticed in the participating clubs lists (U-15/16 & U-17/18) that not all of the US Soccer Development Academy teams were going to the Nike friendlies, specifically the MLS youth teams. It turns out since this is a Nike sponsored event, non-Nike sponsored clubs are not invited. Just another sign that American youth soccer is a fragmented, money driven game. The label of the Development Academy was added to the event since Nike and US Soccer are close friends, however this is not an official Academy event.

I'm not trying to say everything US Soccer does needs to be a large, competitive event...just trying to point out that this isn't necessarily the best of the best across the country playing each other as the Development Academy label would lead you to believe.

Thanks to Brian Crookham of the Colorado Rapids for helping me sort that out.