Thoughts on the U20s
September 29th, 2009 . 6:57 pm . By: Buzz CarrickI watched the US U20s against Cameroon today and I have a couple thoughts to share. 1. The US really misses Anthony Wallace. It’s not just that his replacement isn’t as good, it just puts the whole defense out of whack. 2. Dilly Duka looks legit. Nice find there. 3. The US is missing a real dangerous striker that the last few cycles have had. If Brian Ownby and Tony Taylor are the best the US can come up with then something went wrong with this group. Without a real game changer the 4-2-3-1 is a real tough formation to make work. It might be worth a try with Brek Shea up top, at least he’s dynamic. 4. If you watch this game you will see why I am so high on Ike Opara. He’s a beast. 5. I’d like to see the US advance of course, but I don’t expect much past the second round frankly. There just isn’t enough top tier talent I don’t think. If some more thoughts come to me worth sharing I’ll add them. 9 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
The lack of quality playing time really shows on this cycle. Except Duka, he looks like the real deal. Peri, hurt? he is the #1 victim of the MLS no reserve play. Shea floating back to support Flores. Arquez is takng advantage of this golden opportunity
Davies subbed out in the 1st half with what seemed to be a non-contact injury playing LB on Saturday. More concussion issues? Hope he doesn’t end up like Alex Yi.
yes, Davies had more concussion-related issues. thats why he was subbed.
Along with Opara, Shea, and Duka, Jeffrey looks like the real thing too. Lots of Texans on this squad and they’re actually playing too.
what does it say about MLS that there are players from the US that would rather not get paid for more than a year (Williams, Opara, Duka, Gale, etc) and take their chances of getting seen at this tourney than languish as they 23rd player on an MLS roster doing absolutely nada.
Davies won’t be another Alex Yi because unlike Yi Davies is one of the best young American players. As much as I loved Yi is just wasen’t worth the injury trouble to be an MLS lifer.
Actually they are very similar, but Yi had hamstring issues, not head injuries. That was Wagenfuhr….Yi was one of of the more promising players on arguably the best U20 cycle we have ever produced and came back to MLS and FC Dallas in a much more competitive back line than present (Vanney, Badson, Moor, Gbandi, Wagenfuhr)
Opara is definitely a beast. The other center half is pretty damn good, too. I thought Flores was OK at left back, considering he’s an attacking player. Right back is a real trouble spot between Mills and Mayen. Dilly Duka and Danny Cruz impressed me, as well. Shea is not getting assists or goals, but he’s been a force out there. The 3-0 loss to Germany was a little deceiving.
All of our youth team continue to drop in ablility. The U-17 in 1999 was the best group ever and we have only gotten worse. The guys are on pro teams but don’t play and don’t develop.
If u-20 loses next game do they come home?
edy was freddy on th 1999 team? Then it wasn’t a U17 team.