U17 World Cup

[Z.I.P.]

Sorry that I failed to mention this earlier, but the World Cup started over the weekend in Mexico, and the USA defeated the Czech Republic by 3-0 in Torreon, the best performance I can recall seeing by a US Youth team. It was almost as dominant, possession-wise as the Senior team's victory over Jamaica -- and they won by a goal more than Bradley's team.

Unfortunately however, for the third Youth World Cup in-a-row, an Akron recruit has gone from wearing the captain's armband, to being benched. Amherst phenom Andrew Souders has been captaining the U17 team the past two years, but the play of new-American Mobi Fehr (born in Japan) displaced Drew on the verge of his international breakthrough. Souders was moved from the central defender position he's played consistently -- and exceptionally -- to the central midfield. Not sure if he will see the field in this tournament or not. And not sure how it will effect his confidence and future. He was simply the best young center back I have seen.

Meanwhile, I also don't know if the game tomorrow, against Berzerkistan will be televised on ESPNU, as Sunday's game was (it starts at 4PM EST, I believe). Berzerkistan may not be recognized as one of the powers of world football, however, they DID deal the USA the final crushing defeat four years ago in the same tournament. That was the tournament where CB Kofie Sarkodie was criticized for his defensive play as the USA went 0 - 3 in the tournament. I hope Souders becomes somethnig of the sort of fullback Kofie was/is. I'm quite confident from seeing him at least three times on TV that he will be a star. And his benching likely ends the prospect of his going pro after the WC.

[Zip_ME87]

Sorry that I failed to mention this earlier, but the World Cup started over the weekend in Mexico, and the USA defeated the Czech Republic by 3-0 in Torreon, the best performance I can recall seeing by a US Youth team. It was almost as dominant, possession-wise as the Senior team's victory over Jamaica -- and they won by a goal more than Bradley's team.

Unfortunately however, for the third Youth World Cup in-a-row, an Akron recruit has gone from wearing the captain's armband, to being benched. Amherst phenom Andrew Souders has been captaining the U17 team the past two years, but the play of new-American Mobi Fehr (born in Japan) displaced Drew on the verge of his international breakthrough. Souders was moved from the central defender position he's played consistently -- and exceptionally -- to the central midfield. Not sure if he will see the field in this tournament or not. And not sure how it will effect his confidence and future. He was simply the best young center back I have seen.

Meanwhile, I also don't know if the game tomorrow, against Berzerkistan will be televised on ESPNU, as Sunday's game was (it starts at 4PM EST, I believe). Berzerkistan may not be recognized as one of the powers of world football, however, they DID deal the USA the final crushing defeat four years ago in the same tournament. That was the tournament where CB Kofie Sarkodie was criticized for his defensive play as the USA went 0 - 3 in the tournament. I hope Souders becomes somethnig of the sort of fullback Kofie was/is. I'm quite confident from seeing him at least three times on TV that he will be a star. And his benching likely ends the prospect of his going pro after the WC.

Thanks for the update, ZIP. I watched the game and wondered why Souders wasn't playing. Great outcome for the USA squad, but very disappointing that Souders was on the bench and saw no action. As far as the game tomorrow, according to the guide on my cable, Time Warner NEO, the game will not be televised tomorrow on ESPNU, but will be shown on Thursday...assumes the onscreen guide is correct. Disappointing.

[Ando]

To be fair, I've only seen him play once, but from what I've seen I'm not all that impressed with Souders. Great composure, and seems to have all the mental attributes that you would want from a 17 year old kid, but technically he just isn't there. His distribution in particular leaves something to be desired.

[Z.I.P.]

To be fair, I've only seen him play once, but from what I've seen I'm not all that impressed with Souders. Great composure, and seems to have all the mental attributes that you would want from a 17 year old kid, but technically he just isn't there. His distribution in particular leaves something to be desired.

Souders is as good an on-ball defender in the box as you will find. He knocks down any balls near him. Great feet. He is not an attacking defender in the mode of Kofi. I can't really remark on his ball skills, but I can't recall him making any passing errors in the games I've seen. He's solid. If Mobi Fehr is better, then let's hope Caleb can lasso Mobi.

[Ando]

I don't think the kid's awful, or anything, and I'm sure he has at least an MLS future to look forward to. If you're expecting him to be Perry Kitchen, though, then I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

[Z.I.P.]

I don't think the kid's awful, or anything, and I'm sure he has at least an MLS future to look forward to. If you're expecting him to be Perry Kitchen, though, then I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

I think that's the same thing people said when comparing Kitchen to Kofi Sarkodie a year ago.

[bisbee]

I don't think the kid's awful, or anything, and I'm sure he has at least an MLS future to look forward to. If you're expecting him to be Perry Kitchen, though, then I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

I think that's the same thing people said when comparing Kitchen to Kofi Sarkodie a year ago.

He got no PT is second game either.

[Z.I.P.]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

[TheTank123]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

They play Germany who has looked like an absolute wrecking ball so far. The youth talent level in that country is scary.

[Z.I.P.]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

They play Germany who has looked like an absolute wrecking ball so far. The youth talent level in that country is scary.

Just out of curiosity -- are DeAndre, Trapp and Gallego eligible for the U17 team? They would have had to turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 to be ineligible.

[Z.I.P.]

Found a little insight into coach Wilmer Cabrera's selection process, going back to the CONCACAF U17 tournament. Fehr is the only fullback getting any credit for the USA advancing. Souders made at least one poor clearance, resulting in a keeper save in the El Salvador game. Looking back at the 2009 U17 WC, Perry Kitchen made some very good passes from the back, but his one poor play in the first half of the first USA game led to his benching for the rest of the event. And in 2007, Kofi Sarkodie got a lot of blame for the USA's poor performance (0-3 in group as I recall). As I mentioned alreaady, the best thing that might come of this is to disqualify Drew from turning pro and leaving for Europe. The USA-Deutschland match is Thursday 4 PM EST on ESPNU. There are some really good players on the US, Guido, Acosta, Fehr, McIntosh, etc. but they have holes also. If they play the way they did vs Czech Republic, they have a chance against the Germans.

[bisbee]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

They play Germany who has looked like an absolute wrecking ball so far. The youth talent level in that country is scary.

Just out of curiosity -- are DeAndre, Trapp and Gallego eligible for the U17 team? They would have had to turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 to be ineligible.

They are too old.

[Z.I.P.]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

They play Germany who has looked like an absolute wrecking ball so far. The youth talent level in that country is scary.

Just out of curiosity -- are DeAndre, Trapp and Gallego eligible for the U17 team? They would have had to turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 to be ineligible.

They are too old.

I thought the rule was (effectively), that if they did not turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 they were eligible for the 17s Age Group. That's the way the USYSA works, I'm almost positive. And all three of the guys have their 18th BD in 2011. Happy 18th to DeA in two weeks.

[TheTank123]

He got no PT is second game either.

And the same in game three vs New Zealand. Perhaps the most unwatchable game I've ever struggled to watch. Both teams knew going in that a draw would advance them (though the US controlled much of the possession). So neither made much effort to score. Two teams packing it in like UNC in the 09 semifinal. Yikes. Not sure who USA plays next, but I'm not expecting to see Souders on the field. Mobi Fehr does a pretty good job, and takes free kicks on set pieces -- I guess that's his advantage. Go sign him Caleb. I really like McIntosh, the US keeper. Completely in charge. As I said before, Caleb...

They play Germany who has looked like an absolute wrecking ball so far. The youth talent level in that country is scary.

Just out of curiosity -- are DeAndre, Trapp and Gallego eligible for the U17 team? They would have had to turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 to be ineligible.

They are too old.

I thought the rule was (effectively), that if they did not turn 18 before 1 Jan 2011 they were eligible for the 17s Age Group. That's the way the USYSA works, I'm almost positive. And all three of the guys have their 18th BD in 2011. Happy 18th to DeA in two weeks.

I'm not entirely sure why but they are too old. There are 93's out there like Luis Gil who would absolutely be on the team if he could be.

Edit: Ripped from the FIFA U17 World Cup 2011 rulebook: All players in competition must be born on or after January 1st, 1994.

[Z.I.P.]

The party is over for the USA. Suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Germans. What does the future hold for coach Wilmer Cabrera? Time will tell.

[Z.I.P.]

The party is over for the USA. Suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Germans. What does the future hold for coach Wilmer Cabrera? Time will tell.

Party ended for the USA. However the home fans are still celebrating. Watch the bicycle goal by the bandaged Gomez vs Germany that sent Mexico to finals vs Uruguay. WOW! Mexico plays the finals at Azteca Stadium, which seats, what? 150 thousand, or something like that? There won't be an empty seat.