US Takes On Mexico…Tonight…
But by now, you knew that if you read any US Soccer blogs on a regular basis. Today the blogoshpere is abuzz with US – Mexico thoughts. I’ll give you mine as well. However, I’m going to look through the typical FCTP lens…how did they get here? This is kind of like the Where Are They Now series I did awhile back, but different.
Some of the below are graduates of the Bradenton Residency program. Some played in college. Some have been well known names since they were 14…others were relatively unknown until they were selected in the MLS draft and even then didn’t announce themselves until their rookie campaigns.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
Freddy Adu – M – Potomac, Md. – SL Benfica (Portugal): Freddy Adu joining MLS was the biggest story pre-Beckham. Freddy didn’t go to college, but he did spend some time in Bradenton, FL at the US Soccer Residency program. After leaving the residency set up, DC United made him the #1 pick in the 2004 SuperDraft. (Ask Dallas fans what they got in exchange for “trading” the pick. If you don’t recall this was one of the worst cases of league tampering to make sure Freddy could join DC.) The 14 year old drew record crowds to watch him sit on the bench in his first season. The next year he was dubbed a failure by mainstream press and it proved American’s weren’t ready to understand the World’s Game.
Now Freddy is 18 and playing for Portuguese powers Benfica. The fact that the 18 year old is getting minutes for one of Europe’s storied clubs means he is a success in my mind. However, no matter where Freddy gets in his career, I can’t wish the trip on anyone else. Here’s hoping MLS can develop a fully integrated club model in the future so the next phenom can develop slowly and properly, as opposed to being thrust onto the senior team at 14 with huge expectations. 14 year olds around the world with similar expectations have been total flops so Freddy has already crossed that hurdle. Here’s to his continued success and a bright future.
Josmer Altidore – F – Boca Raton, Fla. – New York Red Bulls (MLS): Altidore is another product of the Bradenton system. Possibly because of the result of the Adu draft nightmare, no one wanted to take a gamble on the 16 year old in the first round of the 2006 SuperDraft. While Altidore didn’t come with the same hype or required city as Adu did, he still slipped into the second round. New York took the plunge with the 17th overall pick and teams that drafted ahead of New York are still scratching their heads wondering why they didn’t gamble on young Jozy. I’m sure Columbus would much rather have Altidore today then Jason Garey who they selected 3rd overall. For those Alexi Lalas bashers, let me point out that Lalas and Mo Johnston were in charge of this draft for NY. Good on ya Alexi.
Carlos Bocanegra – D – Alto Loma, Calif. – Fulham FC (England): Way back in 2000, before there was Generation Adidas there was Nike Project-40. A similar program the league decided to ditch when Adidas came along with a lot of cash. Carlos left UCLA after three seasons to join MLS on a Project-40 deal. Chicago took him 4th overall and he didn’t fail to impress. He went on to win Rookie of the Year honors and MLS defender of the Year a couple times before transferring across the Pond. ‘Los is the first on our list to not go through the Bradenton set up although he did play in the 1999 World Youth Championships, now known as the U-20 World Cup.
Michael Bradley – M – Cedar Grove, N.J. – SC Heerenveen (Holland): Wow, the first 75% of our list went through the Bradenton Residency Program. I guess you can argue it is working. Maybe it is time to expand the program, again. Anyway, it is true, Michael Bradley is the son of the head coach. However, if you think he hasn’t earned a spot on this team you’re on crack. He’s been on a goal scoring tear for club team Heerenveen and is getting attention from higher level Euro club teams. In another case of clear nepotism, Bradley was selected by the NY Metrostars in 2004 while dear old dad was coach. Yeah, right. His sick skills just eluded the rest of the MLS coaches who drafted ahead of the 36th overall pick. While Freddy got all the attention down I-95, Bradley worked hard and earned his stripes in NY. 2 years ago to the month Bradley was sold by NY to the Dutch club and as they say, the rest is history.
Let’s take a break, digest the above. Yes, 75% of the team to this point went to Bradenton. Additionally, only one of the above was not born in the 80’s and two were born in 1989! I’ll post more as the day goes on and before the match kicks off, you’ll have your whole list….
Some of the below are graduates of the Bradenton Residency program. Some played in college. Some have been well known names since they were 14…others were relatively unknown until they were selected in the MLS draft and even then didn’t announce themselves until their rookie campaigns.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
Freddy Adu – M – Potomac, Md. – SL Benfica (Portugal): Freddy Adu joining MLS was the biggest story pre-Beckham. Freddy didn’t go to college, but he did spend some time in Bradenton, FL at the US Soccer Residency program. After leaving the residency set up, DC United made him the #1 pick in the 2004 SuperDraft. (Ask Dallas fans what they got in exchange for “trading” the pick. If you don’t recall this was one of the worst cases of league tampering to make sure Freddy could join DC.) The 14 year old drew record crowds to watch him sit on the bench in his first season. The next year he was dubbed a failure by mainstream press and it proved American’s weren’t ready to understand the World’s Game.
Now Freddy is 18 and playing for Portuguese powers Benfica. The fact that the 18 year old is getting minutes for one of Europe’s storied clubs means he is a success in my mind. However, no matter where Freddy gets in his career, I can’t wish the trip on anyone else. Here’s hoping MLS can develop a fully integrated club model in the future so the next phenom can develop slowly and properly, as opposed to being thrust onto the senior team at 14 with huge expectations. 14 year olds around the world with similar expectations have been total flops so Freddy has already crossed that hurdle. Here’s to his continued success and a bright future.
Josmer Altidore – F – Boca Raton, Fla. – New York Red Bulls (MLS): Altidore is another product of the Bradenton system. Possibly because of the result of the Adu draft nightmare, no one wanted to take a gamble on the 16 year old in the first round of the 2006 SuperDraft. While Altidore didn’t come with the same hype or required city as Adu did, he still slipped into the second round. New York took the plunge with the 17th overall pick and teams that drafted ahead of New York are still scratching their heads wondering why they didn’t gamble on young Jozy. I’m sure Columbus would much rather have Altidore today then Jason Garey who they selected 3rd overall. For those Alexi Lalas bashers, let me point out that Lalas and Mo Johnston were in charge of this draft for NY. Good on ya Alexi.
Carlos Bocanegra – D – Alto Loma, Calif. – Fulham FC (England): Way back in 2000, before there was Generation Adidas there was Nike Project-40. A similar program the league decided to ditch when Adidas came along with a lot of cash. Carlos left UCLA after three seasons to join MLS on a Project-40 deal. Chicago took him 4th overall and he didn’t fail to impress. He went on to win Rookie of the Year honors and MLS defender of the Year a couple times before transferring across the Pond. ‘Los is the first on our list to not go through the Bradenton set up although he did play in the 1999 World Youth Championships, now known as the U-20 World Cup.
Michael Bradley – M – Cedar Grove, N.J. – SC Heerenveen (Holland): Wow, the first 75% of our list went through the Bradenton Residency Program. I guess you can argue it is working. Maybe it is time to expand the program, again. Anyway, it is true, Michael Bradley is the son of the head coach. However, if you think he hasn’t earned a spot on this team you’re on crack. He’s been on a goal scoring tear for club team Heerenveen and is getting attention from higher level Euro club teams. In another case of clear nepotism, Bradley was selected by the NY Metrostars in 2004 while dear old dad was coach. Yeah, right. His sick skills just eluded the rest of the MLS coaches who drafted ahead of the 36th overall pick. While Freddy got all the attention down I-95, Bradley worked hard and earned his stripes in NY. 2 years ago to the month Bradley was sold by NY to the Dutch club and as they say, the rest is history.
Let’s take a break, digest the above. Yes, 75% of the team to this point went to Bradenton. Additionally, only one of the above was not born in the 80’s and two were born in 1989! I’ll post more as the day goes on and before the match kicks off, you’ll have your whole list….
Labels: US Soccer
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