The Houston Chronicle previews the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, a competition from which the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Javier Saviola have emerged. As a launch pad for such prestigious careers, the tournament has grown in prestige, set to receive an unprecedented amount of media coverage this year.

And America should be no slouch in this one either. With a squad headed by 2003 and 2005 tournament veteran Freddy Adu, as well as Heerenveen's Michael Bradley, Columbus Crew new signing Robbie Rogers and New York Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore, Thomas Rongen's boys have to be the most high-profile U.S. bunch ever to play in the U-20 World Cup-not to mention the most experienced. No longer a rag-tag group of college guys, the majority of these U-20s are on their way to becoming seasoned professionals in MLS and abroad.

Indeed, Rongen says his biggest problem has become squad selection, which any coach will tell you is a good problem. While many of the positions are set, the Chronicle points out that Rongen could call upon Sampdoria's young striker, Gabriel Ferrari, who could also play for either Brazil or Italy. Freddy Adu (Ghana) and Danny Szetela (Poland) are other players who could play for more than one country. Read the original story...