The success of a national youth team isn’t just judged by wins and losses but by the players who move on to the next level. The 2015 U.S. U-17 World Cup team was a failure on the field — 21st out of24 teams at the world championship in Chile — but it has already produced nine players (out of 21) who have made their first-team professional debuts.
Josh Perez made history on Mondaynight when he became at the age of 18 the youngest American to play in Italy’s Serie A, making his debut in Fiorentina’s 4-2 loss to Inter Milan at the famous San Siro.
Just six Americans have played inSerie A. The first two — Alfonso Negro and Armando Frigo, who both played for Fiorentina — were born in the United States to Italian immigrants but moved to Italy. GiuseppeRossi was born and raised in the soccer hotbed of Clifton, New Jersey, but joined Parma in Italy at the age of 12 to pursue his pro ambitions.
Perez follows Alexi Lalas, whoplayed with Perez’s uncle, Hugo, on the 1994 U.S. World Cup team, and Michael Bradley as the only players part of the U.S. national team program to play in Serie A.
The5-foot-5 winger attracted interest from a lot of European teams but joined Fiorentina in 2013 when he was 15. FIFA rules prevented him from signing a pro contract until he turned 18.
Perez, who signed a four-year contract in February, is considered one of the top three prospects on Fiorentina’s primavera team along with Ianis Hagi, the 18-year-old son of Romanian greatGheorghe Hagi, and 20-year-old Argentine Hernan Toledo. He scored four goals in nine games — including an Olimpico against Sampdoria — before being moved up to the first team two weeksago.
Fiorentina trailed Inter Milan, 3-0, after 19 minutes but pulled to within 3-2 in the 62nd minute when Coach Paulo Sousa decided to shake things up. First, he brought onFederico Chiesa, the 19-year-old son of former Italian international Enrico Chiesa, and then Perez, in the 75th minute.
“I introduced them,” said Sousa, “because theyhave pace and can step up a gear, take men on, so that’s why we thought they would help.”
Perez joins Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) as the second player from the 2015U-17s who has already debuted in a Europe big five league.
Danny Barbir (West Bromwich) and Matthew Olosunde (Man. United) play on English Premier League U-21 teams, whileWilliam Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund on an amateur contract) and Haji Wright (Schalke 04) play for Bundesliga U-19 teams. McKinze Gaines (Wolfsburg) and Weston McKennie(Schalke 04), who did not make the U-17 World Cup team, also play for Bundesliga U-19 teams.
2015 U.S. U-17s in Pros:
GP/GPLAYER (TEAM)
26/4 Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
5/0 Tyler Adams (NY Red Bulls)
4/0 *Haji Wright (New York Cosmos)
4/0 Alejandro Zendejas(Chivas Guadalajara)
3/1 Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos)
3/0 Luca de la Torre (Fulham)
2/0 Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos)
1/0 Josh Perez(Fiorentina/ITA)
1/0 Brandon Vazquez (Tijuana)
*Plays for Schalke 04 U-19s.
Note: Stats in first-team appearances (league, domestic cup, international cup).
Also …
USL (3): Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy II), Eric Lopez (LA Galaxy II), Pierre da Silva (Orlando CityB/USL)
College (3): Tanner Dieterich (Clemson Univ.), Thomas McCabe (Notre Dame Univ.), Kevin Silva (UCLA)
Germany U-19s (1): William Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund U-19s)
MLS (1): Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union)
High School (1): John Nelson (Internationals SC)
Free Agent (1): JoeGallardo.
It will be interesting to see where John Nelson goes after High School. He was one of the brightest spots for the U-17, U-19 and U-20 teams. As a left back, he seldom makes mental errors and gets forward to join the attack quite well. Further he looks like a baby out there, when he matures, look out!
Jake Savino — Are you starting to see? Pulisic was the first drop. In five years, there should be a steady stream. In 10 years, the faucet should be pouring.
Don, I think you are correct. I have seen some real talent at the U-8 to U-14 level. Maybe not pouring in 10 years, but definitely an increase.
Absolutely there is a higher quality US footballer than years past. Is it DA, MLS or better training or just more participation?The average select level player is far better today.We still don’t create many players at the highest level but its moving in the right direction. Could the development path and choices be improved? Definitely.