SoccerAmerica - Rongen draws players from 10 countries 05/06/2010

[U.S. UNDER-20 MEN] Jack McInerney, who scored his first MLS goal last week for Philadelphia Union, is among 20 players Thomas Rongen called up for the U.S. under-20 men's national team's trip to the Netherlands, where it will play in the Cor Groenewegan Tournament.

The U-20 squad includes players from four U.S. pro clubs as well as clubs in nine different foreign leagues. The four college players are all affiliated with the University of Akron.

Though the tournament schedule has not yet been finalized, the U.S. team will play friendly matches against Senegal on May 18 and South Korea on May 20.

U.S. Under-20 Men’s Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Samir Badr (FC Porto, Portugal), Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town, England).
DEFENDERS (7): Gale Agbossoumonde (SC Braga, Portugal), Chad Barson (Univ. of Akron), Bryan De La Fuente (Chivas USA Academy), Perry Kitchen (Univ. of Akron), Kofi Sarkodie (Univ. of Akron), Zarek Valentin (Univ. of Akron), Parker Walsh (1860 Munich, Germany).
MIDFIELDERS (8): Erik Benjaminsen (Stabaek, Norway), Lester Dewee (Marseille, France), Bryan Dominguez (Miami FC), Alex Molano (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Moises Orozco (Tigres, Mexico), George Pantelic (FK Rad, Serbia), Cesar Zamora (Chivas USA).
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich, Germany).

0 comments

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: May 6, 2010 at 10:42 a.m.

Rongen still in charge; what a travesty.

Alberto Mora

commented on: May 6, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.

I certainly don't know Mr.Rongen background but by making that choice he is doing two things, first he is sending a message to the USSF that the domestic player is not currently ready to represent our country at international level unless some radical changes are to be made at the foundation of the sport here. Second the scholastic system is affecting the the way that the future players see the game itself, High Schools and college have to adopt the game according with Fifa. If I was in Mr.Rongen shoes I probably would do the samething to avoid the embarrassment in the Netherlands

Ric Fonseca

commented on: May 6, 2010 at 1:12 p.m.

Hey, hola again I w!!! I agree with you 100% about "Ragin' Rongen!" And I also wholeheartedly agree with Alberto Mora's assessment. As a retired college coach (and prof of history in the L.A. area) I know only too well of what you speak, Alberto. To bring in others from abroad, is sending a very NEGATIVE messaage to the players we're trying to convince to stay here. And I also totally agree that the scholastic and collegiate systems MUST conform with FIFA, something that I advocated for when I got my first taste of collegiate soccer in the late '60s and into the '70s. However, the powers that be, scholastic and collegiate DO NOT want to conform with FIFA, instead opting to "Americanize" the sport to wit the NCAA final four's games with a "time out" during each half; or, and here's where I date myself, when referees used to wear black and white stripped shirts, dark short pants, and a black cap (cf UCLA vs St Louis U "final four" Dec 1970!) So, Alberto, yes you are spot on! Hopefully "Ragin' Rongen" would be better off and doing a little footwork here in the USA and scour the country for talent. He'd be more than genuinely suprised as to what he'll find, and in these financial hardtimes, he'd save US Soccer some bucks. And hey, shouldn't this also be Claudio Reyna's bailiwick? Think about it!

Paul Lorinczi

commented on: May 7, 2010 at 9:58 a.m.

"Second the scholastic system is affecting the the way that the future players see the game itself, High Schools and college have to adopt the game according with Fifa" This is the United States. People in this country are not going to conform to a governing body located in Switzerland. That being said, it is through schools that the game will grow. We have to learn how to use the schools to help identify the raw talent that exists in this country. Here in Indianapolis, IPS has implemented a school based program. There is talent. These kids just don't have the money to participate in club soccer where it is pay to play. Schools are where the game will grow. We have to find it and adapt the game to the American system. School sports is what gets the game noticed - not club soccer.

Ric Fonseca

commented on: May 7, 2010 at 12:20 p.m.

Sorry Paul Lorinczi. Experience has taught me that virtually all of the FIFA member countries play according to ... you guess it, FIFA Laws of the Game, whose govberning headquarters is in Switzerland. The scholastic game will continue to be fourth rate in a country where football, basketball, and baseball reign, and while in So Calif, most city schools and other scholastic league do follow FIFA, however, if and when some of the scholastic players move on to college, they must adapt to NCAA play.... or if they go on to community/junior college here in California, they play FIFA, and subesquently when they are recruited, should they be so lucky to be recruited by a four-year university program, then they must again adapt to NCAA. Sadly, you say that in order for the game will grow, to "...find and adapt the game to the American system..." is like kissing your sister. Play on!

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