2008 US Soccer U-17 Residency List....

Another year another fresh crop of kids at the US Soccer Residency program in Bradenton, FL. Congrats to those who were selected, you've been added to my list. Ohh, and you'll be playing in the most prestigious soccer development environment in the country. There's that. I for one think there needs to be a second academy elsewhere in the country so increase the number of participants getting this kind of great soccer education. Say somewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region to take attract the west coast crew. Say in Commerce City, Colorado on some of the best fields in the country. Just a thought Rapids...cough cough...call US Soccer and help build a dorm for the kids on all that spare land you have...cough cough....

Anyway, want to know what I noticed while perusing the list? Take a look, see if you can guess.

GOALKEEPERS ( 4): Samir Badr (Fairfax, Va.), Earl Edwards (San Diego, Calif.), Jonathan Kempin (K.C. Wizards Juniors), Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier)

DEFENDERS (13): Michael Ambrose (El Paso, Texas), Julio Arjona (D.C. United Academy), Zachary Herold (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic), Jordan McCrary (Concorde Fire), Boyd Okwuonu (Edmond, Okla.), Emilio Orozco (Oxnard, Calif.), Shaquille Phillips (D.C. United Academy), Tyler Polak (Lincoln, Neb.), Alberto Rosas (Real So Cal), Alex Shinsky (York, Penn.), Jared Watts (North Meck), Eriq Zavaleta (Westfield, Ind.)

MIDFIELDERS (17): Jonathan Canales (Santa Ana, Calif.), Dustin Corea (Milwaukee, Ore.), Andrew Craven (St. Simons Island, Ga.), Sean Davis (Matchfit Academy), Bryan Duran (Duncanville, Texas), Victor Garza (Edinburg, Texas), Luis Gil (Pateadores), Joseph Gyau (FC DELCO), Donovan Henry (Schulz Academy), George Malki (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Carlos Martinez (Las Vegas, Nev.), Alex Molano (F.C. Dallas Juniors), Joel Nash (Birmingham, Ala.), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire Academy), Charles Renken (Scott Gallagher), Dominic Sarle (BW Gottschee), Erik Stephenson (Surf)

FORWARDS (6): John Agudelo (N.Y. Red Bulls Academy), Jonathan Brown (Clinton, Miss), Jaime Gutierrez (West Coast FC), Stefan Jerome (Davie, Fla.), Alfred Koroma (Solar Red), Jack McInerney (Alpharetta, Ga.)

Any guesses? I see six kids already associated with MLS clubs. Thanks to the new development rules, it looks like MLS clubs are helping to get the best and brightest young players noticed and into the US Soccer system. Add to that the fact that we already know what MLS club will have first crack at these guys and I'm excited to see US Soccer and MLS growing up. We're finally getting to that international style development system where kids are associated with clubs from a young age and are coached by the top coaches, not just their local soccer parents. Well done MLS and US Soccer, keep it up.