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Last edited by thebes20; 11-01-2009, 05:44 PM. -
Thanks for the info Thebes. You didn't go by the name FSM in a previous life, did you? -
I don't want to read to much into this press release but I find it a little interesting that there are 14 staff member noted prominently in the link - one name per line - while the 21 players are all grouped by position in a hard to read format.
From the link:
U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team Roster by Postion
GOALKEEPERS (3): Keith Cardona (NY Red Bulls Academy; Glen Rock, N.J.), Earl Edwards (Nomads SC; San Diego, Calif.), Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier; Seattle, Wash.)
DEFENDERS (6): Zachary Herold (West Pines United FC, Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic; Indianapolis, Ind.), Boyd Okwuonu (Celtic Green; Edmond, Okla.), Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy; Lincoln, Neb.), Jared Watts (North Meck SC; Statesville, N.C.), Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride; Westfield, Ind.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Marlon Duran (Latino Americana; Ducanville, Texas), Luis Gil (Pateadores; Garden Grove, Calif.), Carlos Martinez (Wilmington Jr.; San Pedro, Calif), William Packwood (Birmingham City, Concord, Mass.), Nick Palodichuk (Washington Premier; Battleground, Wash.), Alex Shinsky (Super Nova FC; York, Pa.)
FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (NY Red Bulls Academy; Barnegat, N.J.), Victor Chavez (Real So Cal; Fontana, Calif), Andrew Craven (First Coast Kickers; St. Simons Island, Ga.), Stefan Jerome (West Pines United FC; Davie, Fla.), Jack McInerney (Cobb SC; Alpharetta, Ga.), Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee; Huntington, N.Y.)
National Team Staff
Head Coach: Wilmer Cabrera (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.)
Assistant Coach: Paul Caffrey (Bradenton, Fla.)
Assistant Coach: Paul Grafer (Bradenton, Fla.)
Assistant Coach: Gerson Echeverry (Holmes Beach, Fla.)
Program Manager: Tim Ryder (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.)
Equipment Coordinator: Jason Peters (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Athletic Trainer: Paul Rushing (Palmetto, Fla.)
Team Doctor: Jeffrey Mjaanes (Chicago, Ill.)
Team Doctor: Arthur Valadie (Holmes Beach, Fla.)
Press Officer: Kate McMaster (Chicago, Ill.)
Videographer: Dhruv Kumar (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Massage Therapist: Jessica Smith (Flint, Mich.)
Photographer: John Dorton (Bradenton, Fla.)
Team Chef: Berthsy Ayide (Brooklyn, N.Y.)Comment
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Packwood plays in the youth "programme" of Birmingham City of EPL.Comment
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Do they really need 3 assistant coaches, a photographer, & a videographer and two team doctors!!!!Comment
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I have not seen Packwood play for a few years. It would be interesting to see the results from his training in England.Comment
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USA U17's through to the second round
Here is a blog that I picked up on another site. It was a good overview of the players for the U17 USMNT. BTW this was posted before the USA vs UAE game.
30 Oct 2009, 01:47 PM #19
midfieldmadness
I posted this on anothe thread, but here are my thoughts n this squad going into the final group match. Would love to hear any comments on where I may be right and where I may be misguided. It's all based on a limited sampling of seeing this team, but thought I'd summarize my thoughts now before I get to wrapped up on whether they're in or out after the UAE match.
In the end, the results of these games are not that important (other than for giving these kids more chances to compete against top flight teams like Spain). What matters is the development trajectory of these players. From what I have seen, they are playing very attractive, possession soccer - better than any US team I can recall. The fact that they are making mistakes, not finishing, and sometimes a bit too slow in decision-making don't concern me in terms of the big picture.
This squad is progressing in terms of player development in my opinion. Also, the more I watch this team, the more I'm convinced that Cabrera is actually as much concerned about player development as he is about winning, and certainly more so than previous coaches and I think that's great for Bradenton. Here are a few points that make me think this:
1. The much discussed leaving LLegett and Gyau off of the squad. Rather than just going with the biggest horses, he's going with the ones who made the commitment to what he's trying to achieve - learning to play possession soccer as a unit.
2. His commitment to Shinsky in the last two games. First, Shinsky is a year younger than the other kids on the team and clearly is still growing and developing (he's very slight and seems to have a boy like body still), yet Wilmer seems to recognize his potential. Second, Shinsky is trying to take people on and get forward and though unsuccessful more than one would like, Cabrera is not punishing him for that. This is key to player development, giving them the freedom to try positive things in the final third, fail and rather than punish them try to help them improve on it. Third, Shinsky is one of the players who has seemed to have really developed over the past couple years.
3. Tyler Polak - I thought the kid was dreadful in the early games of this cycle and I didn't see much of anything in him. Over the course of the last 2 games it has become apparent to me that the kid has raw skills that Cabrera has recognized and helped him to develop. Polak still has a long way to go, but now even I can see the potential there (and I have to assume Cabrera saw it long ago).
4. Padolochik (still don't know how to spell his name) - another player who has improved drastically under Cabrera and who has gotten his chance in large part due to those who are "missing" from the roster. I think this kid has a good chance of picking up some European interest and that probably would not have been the case had Llegett, Gyau and the injured Renken been present.
5. Herold - He is another one who has developed a lot under Cabrera. His ball distribution is significantly improved and he gets forward with a purpose much more often. I like the progress he has seemed to make in terms of developement.
6. McInerney - though there's no question his performance has not been his best in this tournament. He became an offensive star under Cabrera's watch and European interest was generated. At the time of the 2007 friendlies, he was completely overshadowed by his flashier offensive teamates (Martinez, Jerome, Renken, Gyau). But over the course of the past two years he has developed into an impressive goal scorer. Scoring in all types of ways as well as making much better runs off the ball than he used to and being the one forward on this squad that seems comfortable playing with his back to the goal.
7. Edwards - True that this kid looked like something special when he first got to Bradenton, but he has grown tremendously as well. While he has not made many saves in this tournament, it seems clear that he has a strong command of his box. Additionally, he seems to have a strong understanding and buy-in to the possession soccer that Cabrera has been teaching. I don't think I've seen him punt the ball once this tournament and many of his throws are quick, one motion distributions to one of his players to keep possesion and get the attack going. His positioning also generally seems very solid for a keeper this age.
8. Renken and Gyau - beyond the point I mentioned already about them being left off the squad, they have gotten into a professional set-up. I recognize that it is debatable whether this is because of Cabrera or in spite of him. However, one thing that was clear to me when they were in residency is that he let both of them play free flowing soccer. They both were given the freedom to dribble and penetrate and develop their on the ball skill and flair within Cabrera's system. I view that as positive. Toward the end, Gyau was coming off the bench only, but I don't think it was because of his style of play.
9. Rumored Spanish press reports - I actually don't know if it's true or not, but the Spanish press was rumored to be impressed with the US play. This is no small thing. The Spanish, more than anybody, understand quality soccer and appreciate a team who is playing in the right way. That is what I think they saw in the US side despite the finishing blunders and the defenders occasionally being torched by some of the best players at this age in the world. I'm impressed that the Spanish were impressed (assuming they actually were).
So, I am very happy with what I've seen this cycle. I think several of these players are going to develop into more than we expect. I think some of the players who we currently think are dump are diamonds in the rough who Cabrera has been working to develop so they can be pros. I also am confident that several of the players that we all love will flame out in short order.
While I am frustrated with how this team is doing in terms of finishing (and at times defending) in this tournament from a results perspective, I am very happy with what they're doing in terms of how they play the game. In terms of the goal of player development, I could not be happier and think Cabrera is doing an excellent job. Even if they don't get through the first round, I'd be in favor of keeping him on as coach.
As others have said the real measuring stick for this group of players is 5 years or so off. I think, at that time, we may be pleased with what comes of this group regardless of how they do in the tournament.
Here are the first round results and one bloggers predictions:
The Round of 16 matches will be as follows:
Nigeria v. New Zealand (Nigeria will win)
Switzerland v. Germany (toss up)
Iran v. Uruguay (Iran should be favored to win)
Turkey v. UAE (Turkey will win)
Spain v. Burkina Faso (Spain will win)
Italy v. USA (toss up)
Argentina v. Colombia (Argentina would be favored to win)
Mexico v. South Korea (toss up)
This, btw is not my opinion. Italy beat the USA much earlier in the season in a friendly. The game should be closer, especially if the USA starts to score on all their chances.
It is my opinion, that this team, has a totally different look than the other USA teams. Their possession in the middle with the outstanding Gil is much better. I think he is the best player on the team.Comment
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"2. His commitment to Shinsky in the last two games. First, Shinsky is a year younger than the other kids on the team and clearly is still growing and developing (he's very slight and seems to have a boy like body still), yet Wilmer seems to recognize his potential. Second, Shinsky is trying to take people on and get forward and though unsuccessful more than one would like, Cabrera is not punishing him for that. This is key to player development, giving them the freedom to try positive things in the final third, fail and rather than punish them try to help them improve on it. Third, Shinsky is one of the players who has seemed to have really developed over the past couple years."
I've seen Shinsky criticized in other forums and I've only seen the first half of the first game, but he was the player that stood out for me. I liked McInerney too. But I'm just a nobody who only saw 45 minutes of the U17s play.
BTW, what forum did you see this posted? It would be interesting to know who the poster was because he seems to have been following these players for some time.Comment
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I found it on the bigsoccer.com forum, but he had originally posted it on another forum.
Ther below are player rankings, taken after the UAE game from goal.com
U.S.:
Earl Edwards: 6.5. Two clean sheets in a row for the La Jolla Nomads star. He did not have to make many hard saves and almost fumbled the game away on a bad punch, but he still kept UAE away from his net.
Zachary Herold: 6. After taking the knock to the head in the first half, he seemed hesitant to get stuck into the challenge. He was solid defensively for the majority of the game.
Tyler Polak: 5. He did not attack as much as he had in the previous two games which severely limited his contributions to the match.
Jared Watts: 6. Misjudged another ball in the air this game, that is his third in three games. Not sure why this is a continual problem for the center back, but it is an issue going forward. Besides that, he offered good leadership and kept his defense in check.
Eriq Zavaleta: 5. A quiet match from the center back. There were not many chances for UAE in the second half thanks to his disruptive play.
Marlon Duran: 5.5. It was not his best performance of the tournament but he was strong on the tackle and held in the midfield hole when his center midfield partner went forward.
Alex Shinsky: 7. Absolutely tremendous when he put his head down and went at his defender with speed. His finishing should have been better.
Nick Palodichuk: 6.5. Getting forward into the attack added another weapon that the U.S. needed , but his shots need to be better.
Stefan Jerome: 6. A different role for Jerome compared to his performance in game one, but he was more effective given the space and ability to take on his defender on the dribble.
Luis Gil: 8. Every time he touched the ball in the attacking third, you knew something good was going to happen. Gil is emerging as the star of this tournament for the U.S.; his vision and creativity is unmatched on this team. If he could have finished one of those chances, this would easily be a 9.
Jack McInerney: 8.5. Scored the game-winner. Set up plenty of opportunities for his teammates. Is the Jack from qualifying back?!?
Subs:
Will Packwood: 4. Very quiet debut. He had a few touches as soon as he came on, but then he seemed lost in the middle of the field.
Dominick Sarle: 5. Not sure what his instructions were when he came on, but he seemed to be pushing the issue to grab a second goal. His speed down the wings created problems for tired UAE legs.
Juan Agudelo: No rating. He was only on the field for five minutes. Going to chalk up his poor touches to nerves.Comment
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