Youth: Mexican international Edwin Lara joins U.S. U-20 camp
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Jan 4, 2019
Lara, who was among The Guardian's 2016 "60 of the Best Young Talents in World Football,” made a Pachuca first-team appearance in the Copa MX but has yet to make his Liga MX debut. The 19-year-old left back moved to Leon, where he plays for its U-20s, last July.
Lara grew up in San Leandro, California, and played for the Hayward Tecos before joining the Juventus Sport Club. He also had stints with the San Jose Earthquakes and the De Anza Force before joining Pachuca.
Lara was on Coach Tab Ramos' provisional roster for last November's Concacaf U-20 Championship that the USA won but was not called up.
The Florida camp for the U-20s as they prepare for next summer's U-20 World Cup is in conjunction with the U.S. U-19 and U-17 national team camps.
Only seven of the players Ramos called in were part of the Concacaf U-20 Championship squad.
U.S. U-20 men's national team roster
GOALKEEPERS (2):
Justin Garces (UCLA; Miami, Fla.), Trey Muse (Indiana Univ.; Louisville, Ky.).
DEFENDERS (8):Chris Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Aboubacar Keita (Univ. of Virginia;
Columbus, Ohio), Edwin Lara (Club Leon Sub-20/MEX; Oakland, Calif.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting KC; Charlotte, N.C.), Matthew Real (Philadelphia Union; Drexel Hill, Pa.), Sam Rogers (Sounders FC II;
Seattle, Wash.), Mark Salas (Univ. of North Carolina; Dallas; Texas), Aristotle Zarris (Wake Forest Univ.; Sarasota, Fla.).
MIDFIELDERS (7):Frankie Amaya (UCLA; Santa Ana,
Calif.), Christian Cappis (Hobro/DEN; Katy, Texas), Jose Carranza (Louisville City; Manassas, Va.), Omir Fernandez (Wake Forest Univ.; Bronx, N.Y.), Anthony Fontana (Philadelphia Union; Newark, Del.),
Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; Highland Village, Tex.), Brandon Servania (FC Dallas; Birmingham, Ala.).
FORWARDS (7):Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC; Detroit, Mich.), Simon Becher (Holy
Cross Univ.; Brooklyn, Conn.), Griffin Dorsey (Indiana Univ.; Evergreen, Colo.), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas), Nebiyou Perry (FC Köln II/GER; New York, N.Y.), Justin Rennicks
(Indiana; Hamilton, Mass.), Nick Taitague (Schalke 04 II/GER; Midlothian, Va.).
I had hoped this promising player would settle down, but his jumping around speaks poorly of his values and commitment. Will he ever be happy, anywhere?
There is only one reason he left Mexico to return to US.
Why?
Wow! A 19 year old who is uncertain about his life's goals. Shocking! Cut the lad some slack and try to remember when you folks were 19. I do occasionally...when I want to scare the hell out of myself.
Well, you're right--it could be his father that is the problem. You see it all the time in youth soccer; the dad that thinks he knows more than he does, arguing with the coach, coaching from the sidelines. Or, can't get the kid to practice/only wants to play games/play on multiple teams. The kid could be hostage to his family's wishes. I'm sure a conversation with Tecos coaches would be enlightening. Anyway, best of luck to a kid who seems to have talent but will need a lot more things to go right for him to fulfill his promise--on either side of the border.