Five Latin American players to watch
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jul 29, 2011
[UNDER-20 WORLD CUP] The Under-20 World Cup has been a launching pad for many of the world's great players: Argentines Diego
Maradona and Lionel Messi are two of the many stars who have graced FIFA's oldest youth competition. The 2011 edition begins Friday in Colombia without
the United States, absent for the first time since 1995, but with many of the world top young players. Here's a look at five Latin American players to watch ...
CASEMIRO (Brazil). The Sao Paulo midfielder helped Brazil win the South American U-20 championship, which also earned it a berth in the 2012 London Olympics. He is under contract with
Sao Paulo until 2015 but he could be headed to Italy soon. Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma are among the clubs interested in Casemiro, who says he's a big calcio fan. "I often watch Italian soccer," he
says, "and my favorite Brazilians playing there are Alexandre Pato, Thiago Silva and Julio Cesar."
ERIK LAMELA (Argentina). At the South America U-20 championships, American-born Michael Hoyos served as
the Argentine playmaker in Lamela's absence, but Lamela was recalled for the U-20 world championship after leaving River Plate for Roma. After Argentina's early exit from the U-17 World Cup and Copa
America, the pressure will be on Lamela and other highly touted teammates like Juan Manuel Iturbe, Facundo Ferreyra,
Roberto Pereyra and Adrian Cirigliano as Argentina seeks a record seventh U-20 title.
DIEGO POLENTA (Uruguay). Born to Uruguay parents in New York but qualified for an Italian passport that facilitated his move to Genoa from Danubio for $2 million in 2008. He is
considered one of the top left-sided defenders at Under-20 World Cup. The Celeste U-20s are following on the heels of Uruguay's second-place finish at the Under-17 World Cup and its Copa America
title.
JAMES RODRIGUEZ (Colombia). Born in Colombia, Rodriguez began his pro career with second division Envigado FC but moved to Argentina's Banfield
at the age of 17. An outstanding 2010 Libertadores Cup campaign earned him a transfer to Porto, which has earned a reputation as one of the Europe's most astute importers of South American talent.
Rodriguez came on late in Porto's 1-0 win over Braga in the 2011 Europa League final and scored a hat trick in the 6-2 victory over Vitoria Guimaraes in the 2011 Portuguese Cup final.
ERICK SANCHEZ (Mexico). Sanchez has been compared with Javier Hernandez, debuting with Guadalajara, the same club that produced "Chicharito," at the age of 16 in
November 2010, and scoring six goals -- including one against Club America in Mexico's "Super Clasico" -- in the 2011 Clausura.
Wow!! 2 USA born players on this list. USA could have used them vs Guatemala in the elimination loss. Don't you think that maybe just maybe these players are playing for other countries because something is defenitely wrong with USA system? I blame racism, selection process, playing style and being unable to sign a youth to contract.
Ric, its going to change, no question about it but it will be for the wrong reasons. Poor soccer will be small part of it. Biggest reason will be money. USA will see how much money it is losing by letting these players go. Hispanic and especially Mexicans are the best fans in the world. Hispanics are a growing and unstoppable consumer force in this country. That's why all Mexicans reading these blogs should start showing some pride and make sure you are the ones taking from USA youth programs and not the ones being used by these Aacademy win first clubs that dump you after you did you're service to them and don't look out for you're personal interest. Viva Villa Cabrones!!!!
Ric check out the Bradley Blog. I got a good one going there.
I might have added Costa Rica's Joel Campbell to the list. He beat out Sanchez as top scorer in the quals in Guatemala and after a good showing at the Copa America, has now recieved an offer from Arsenal.
Lamela already made his mark today, scoring the only goal to lead Argentina over Mexico. I'd add Mustafa Amini to your list, although he's not strictly Latin American. Amini was born in Australia to Afghan and Nicaraguan parents, but who looks more like a Colombian--namely, Valderrama. What a story!