Four newcomers to get look at Costa Rica tourney
- by Soccer America , Jun 19, 2012
[U.S. UNDER-17 MEN] U.S. under-17 national team coach Richie Williams has brought in four players not in the U.S. Soccer
residency program -- defenders Jordan Cano (FC Dallas Academy) and Gonzalo Rolon (Central California Blues) and
midfielders Rolando Munoz (LA Galaxy Academy) and Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea) -- for the Copa Saprissa June 24-July 1 in
San Jose, Costa Rica.
The U-17s are currently training in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before departing for Costa Rica on Thursday.
They are scheduled to play up to seven matches
in the 12-team tournament, beginning Saturday against Linafa U-17 Select, a Costa Rican club team.
Other scheduled opponents: Honduras (June 24), Costa Rica (June 25), Panama's Chorrillo
FC (June 26) and Mexico (June 27), as well as two possible playoff or friendly matches on June 29 and July 1.
U.S. U-17 Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Paul Christensen (Seattle Sounders Acad.), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls Acad.).
DEFENDERS (10):
Adonis Amaya (Chivas USA Acad.), Jordan Cano (FC Dallas Acad.), Conor Donovan (NC Alliance), Elijah Martin (Cal Odyssey), Jorge Miranda (Real So Cal), Shaquell Moore (Cobb FC), Kevin Politz
(New York Red Bulls Acad.), John Requejo, Jr. (Real So Cal), Gonzalo Rolon (Central California Blues), Tyler Turner (South Central Premier).
MIDFIELDERS (8):
Junior Flores (McLean Youth Soccer), Angel Heredia (San Jose Earthquakes Acad.), Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls Acad.), Cameron Lindley (Indiana United Acad.), Aaron Meyer (FC Dallas
Acad.), Rolando Munoz (LA Galaxy Acad.), Rubio Rubin (Westside Metros), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea SC).
FORWARDS (4): Corey Baird (San Diego Surf), Bradford
Jamieson (Chivas USA Acad.), Ahinga Selemani (CSA Wolves), Wesley Wade (New York Red Bulls Acad.).
On the one hand, I'm glad to see there is opportunity for 4 new faces on this team. What I'm trying to figure out is how much churn there is on the U teams as they make their way up the ladder. Obviously players like Pelosi pick up professional contracts, but I'm curious how good our scouts are and how efficient that process is. There seems to be more turnover with these U teams, but it's hard determining that based on the spotty player pool info available here:
http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Youth/US-Under17-Men.aspx
Are there additional filters that other national sides include that better weed out those that can't make it to the next level? Since they're only looking for midfielders and defenders at this point, it looks to the untrained eye that only now they're considering soccer IQ and skills.