Who is going where?

One of the toughest parts of following youth and college soccer in the US is that it doesn't get the same attention as the other bigger college sports like football and basketball. America's fascination with the next big thing doesn't translate to soccer the way it does for other sports. My blog tries to help peel back the curtain and many other blogs/on-line sources help piece together the puzzle. The net of it all is that there hasn't been a place to go and find the information on parts of American youth soccer that are easy to find in other sports.

Well folks, that could be changing. ESPN Rise Magazine is tracking where the high school boys soccer class of 2009 is going to college. I don't remember seeing this type of compiled list in the past, but it is a great step in the right direction. This takes ESPN up a notch in my book.

This is going to be a great resource for me filling in my database. Too often I have to hunt for players after the season starts using Google and the process is time consuming and often doesn't bear fruit. Now the info is all in one place. Thanks Rise! They also have a list of the class of 2010 commitments.

Now it is easy to check out how your alma mater's freshman class is coming together. Enjoy!

US U-20's To Train In Florida

The USA Under 20's will be training in Sarasota, Florida from May 23rd to May 28th.

Roster By Position (Club; Hometown):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Josh Lambo (FC Dallas; Middleton, Wis.), Brian Perk (UCLA; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Kyle Davies (FC Dallas; Danville, Calif.), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA; Anaheim, Calif.), Aaron Maund (Notre Dame; Dorchester, Mass.), Ike Opara (Wake Forest; Durham, N.C.), Anthony Wallace (FC Dallas; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Sheanon Williams (unattached; Boston, Mass.)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo; Glendale, Ariz.), Dilly Duka (Rutgers; Montville, N.J.), Jose Gonzalez (Atlante FC; Soquel, Calif.), Jared Jeffrey (Club Brugge; Richardson, Texas), Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA; Los Angeles, Calif.), Alfredo Morales (Hertha BSC Berlin; Berlin, Germany), Brian Ownby (Virginia; Glen Allen, Va.), Brek Shea (FC Dallas; College Station, Texas), Guillermo Torres (Longview Lobos HS; Longview, Texas)
FORWARDS (3): Fuad Ibrahim (Toronto FC; Richfield, Minn.), Peri Marosevic (FC Dallas; Rockford, Ill.) Tony Taylor (Jacksonville University; Jacksonville, Fla.)

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14352389.html

Interesting things to note?

1. The return of Jose Gonzalez.
- Jose Gonzalez is an Youth Soccer Internet Legend. He became one when stories about his path to U.S. citizenship came out of his hometown of Santa Cruz. He came here with his parents illegally as an infant and his father passed a U.S. Citizenship test in March of 2006 just in time for Jose to travel with the US Under-18's to Slovakia for a tournament. Then his story continued as he won the ESP Camp Golden Ball as a Sophomore in High School. He dropped off the map after High School but it was found out that he is playing with the youth squads of Atlante F.C. of the Mexican First Division.

Read about his story here:
http://www.scsextra.com/story.php?sid=39068
and here:
http://www.scsextra.com/story.php?sid=39687
and here:
http://www.scsextra.com/story.php?sid=44073

2. No Mikkel Diskerud.
- If you have missed out on his story you will have to check this thread from Bigsoccer.com:
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=939469

He is a 19 year old Norwegian-born Arizonian (sp? :D) who has played for US U-20 squad and the Norwegian U-19's. He has yet to make his final decision on which National Team he will represent. Good news is that he was invited, but is too busy with his club to attend the camp. He has scored 3 goals from Midfield this year.
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=4582

3. No Bryan Arguez, Vincenzo Bernardo, or Guiseppe Nazzani.
-There are some questions over whether these players are ready to play for the U-20's or whether Rongen has lost interest. It would be a real shame if Bryan Arguez failed to make the 2009 World Youth Championship team after being an underage player on the 2007 team.

4. Ike Opara is back.
- He is arguably the best Under 20 defender in the NCAA right now so it is good news if he is healthy.

5. Guillermo Torres
- He appears to be the little brother of Jose Francisco Torres. Hopefully he has as much or more talent than his older brother. This is his first ever USYNT Camp.

6. Gerson Mayen
- He was rumored to be attracting attention from El Salvador(country of his parents), but he is apparently still interested in representing the United States. This is great news as he has 4 assists in MLS this season and has shone in his few starts and multiple substitute appearances.

7. Sean Johnson, Gale Agbossoumonde, Amobi Okugo, Sam Garza, and Billy Schuler
- They are not here after participating in Qualifying.
Agbossoumonde and Okugo (both 1991's) are with the USA Under 18's on a trip to Portugal:
http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14352384.html

Contact me at USvsIreland AT gmail.com