SoccerAmerica - MLS academy products dominate new class 09/22/2011

[U.S. UNDER-17 MEN] Half the new residents at the U.S. under-17 national team program in Bradenton, Fla., are products of MLS academy teams, including seven from the New York Red Bulls. Only 32 players are in residency, down from the usual 40. For the complete roster ...

There are also two each from MLS clubs Chivas USA, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes.

Concorde Fire (Georgia), N.C. Alliance and Westside Metros (Oregon) are the only other clubs with two representatives on Cabrera’s roster.

The U.S. players live on campus at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., and train in the morning under the guidance of head coach Wilmer Cabrera and assistant coaches Paul Grafer and Erik Imler. In the afternoon, the players attend classes at St. Stephens Episcopal School.

U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders FC; Woodinville, Wash.), Alek Gogic (New York Red Bulls; Fort Lee, N.J.) Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls; South River, N.J.), Nedin Tucakovic (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (9): Vernon Bailey (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Matt Nance (Vardar SC Freiburg; Washington, Mich.), Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), John Requejo (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.), Bruno Scodari (Olney Boys and Girls Club; Silver Springs, Md.), Brandon Tetro (New York Red Bulls; Colts Neck, N.J.), Thomas Ziemer (Atletico Santa Rosa; Glen Allen, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA; Westminster, Calif.), Jorge Calix (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Steven Echevarria (New York Red Bulls; Slate Hill, N.Y.), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Guyllian Kabala (New England Revolution; Manchester, N.H.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J.), Declan McCabe (New England Revolution; Weston, Mass.), Herber Mejia-Flores (McLean Youth Soccer; Manassas Park, Va.), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC; Powder Springs Ga.), Dean Rutherford (NC Alliance; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier; West Haven, Conn.)

FORWARDS (8): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf; Escondido, Calif.), Bradford Jamieson (Chivas USA; Los Angeles, Calif.), Danya Kafai (Juventus Sports Club; Redwood City, Calif.), DeAndre Robinson (Concorde Fire; Atlanta, Ga.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Alejandro Segovia (Westside Metros; Beaverton, Ore.), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls; South Orange, N.J.), Dembakwi Yomba (Concorde Fire Academy; Lithonia, Ga.)

0 comments

Jase The Ace

commented on: September 23, 2011 at noon

This is now a quantifiable example for the argument made in the past that we should scrap Bradenton and focus on the MLS academy teams. MLS is at the stage now where its a real destination for great pros in their twilight. They have a wealth of experience in real game scenarios that coaches who never played at a high level will ever be able to articulate.

Jase The Ace

commented on: September 23, 2011 at 12:03 p.m.

Oh and Socceramerica, Paragraph breaks would be AWESOME!

Ric Fonseca

commented on: September 23, 2011 at 1:44 p.m.

Having read Wilmer Cabrera's assessment about the "immaturity" (physical? athletic? mental? soccer-knowledgeable?) of his U17 team and the entire U17 group and the US's sad showing at the U17 WC, I am wondering if he had any say on who would be sent to the Bradenton? Also, did he even scour the country for better players, did he actually and personally see each of the players compete, or did he rely solely on the "word" and "experience" of paid scouts and the sages of the MLS terams? And just what is it that there are quite a few Red Bulls connected players, and the majority appear to be from east of the center of the country? Oh, and this wouldn't be complete if I did not mention that I counted eight players with Latino/Hispanic surnames, so what I see happening is that it is back to same-old-same-old. Lastly I am in full agreement that the Bradenton place must be done away with, given that by Cabreara's own admission, the program is not producing the quality players he so bemoaned in his SA interview with Mike Woitalla. All it is producing is a cash flow to the Bradenton people and to St. Stephens Episcopal School (which is probably very pricey!) though at least they're - the players are getting (hopefully) a quality education!

Rudy Espindola

commented on: September 23, 2011 at 2:31 p.m.

Hey Ric, do this kids get fully sponsored? Or parents need to pay for academics and /or something else? Would you share what you know with all of us in the darkness? I would greatly appreciate it.

Luis Arreola

commented on: September 23, 2011 at 8:40 p.m.

What does Klins have to do with U17s? It looks like we have the same scouting and selection proccess. Who is making the calls on this?

Rudy Espindola

commented on: September 23, 2011 at 9:55 p.m.

It seems that there are some questions to be answered

Andrea Ackermann

commented on: September 24, 2011 at 3:42 p.m.

Why aren't the Development Academy teams providing scholarships to athletes of lesser financial means? Who in the main sponsor or Development Academy is it NIKE or ADIDAS or do both corporations sponsor teams. How can all the countries of the world produce better soccer players than the United States just through their youth club systems without all the financial and marketing prowess of the US? Seems that we miss the fundamental keys to training soccer players to be the best in the world and spend more money doing it than anyone on Planet Earth.

Joseph Pratt

commented on: October 20, 2011 at 11:05 a.m.

The Development Academy program does offer scholarships: http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Development-Academy/Scholarships.aspx

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