SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer US National Team in U-20 World Cup

US U-20 team kicks off the World Cup against Spain tomorrow. Should be a great test for this promising group.

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Looked more like a scrimmage for Spain - US needs to come up with better ways to identify talent because this cant be our best. I mean hey on the womens side Abby Wambuagh wasn't even on the radar of the NT coaches until she was in college so I wonder how many others they miss on both sides due to politics and jealousy

I'm sure the likes of Liverpool, Southampton, and the other professional teams these kids play for are identifying the American talent. Almost the entire team was made up of professional players for the first time ever. The problem isn't identifying talent. The problem is we don't have as much talent as top level countries. Their kids are developed from a much younger age to play professionally. Of course some players are going to slip through the cracks. Happens everywhere in every sport. However, I think Tab has picked a decent squad even if they are mostly former Academy players.
Thought the result was unfortunate as they played well at times and could have scored a couple more goals. This is the best U-20 side we have ever had. Let these guys grow up in their respective professional environments and in 2018 I believe you will see a lot of them playing in Qatar, assuming we make it.

Any one can play-the object is to win and we have just as much talent as any of those countries you are correct that the way we develop and TRAIN players is the problem. We make sure our players play in age groups here, do u honestly think those were Spains best U20s? they were mostly reserve caliber players

Well Jese began his pro career at 14 with Real Madrid. He is about to sign a contract and be promoted to the first team full-time. Also was the top scorer in the U-19 Euro Championship last summer. Deulofeu began playing in Barca's youth academy at age 9. He just signed a new first-team contract. The two have both made appearances on the top teams in Spain. Professional careers do not start early enough here in the states to keep up with the best teams in the world. Jese and Deulofeu were the best two players on the field and no, we do not have as much talent as Spain. Especially on the back line.

Apparently you misunderstood what I was trying to say- I know our team doesn't have better talent than Spains but the US as a country has far more talented athletes than any country in the world- we just have a problem getting them to play soccer because it is not as lucrative here

I don't think 8-year olds playing sports are worried about pro contracts. I also don't think fifteen-year olds are worried about the money they will make by choosing to play football or basketball over soccer. The sport is still growing and we will continue to get better as more players start playing year-round, every day from a younger age. The Academy system is developing some great talent. My main problem with it is that a lot of kids slip through the cracks because MLS is not widely established around the country, especially here in the southeast. The Academy kids getting all the attention are from MLS clubs, not SCU or CASL or the countless other "Academy" teams with no MLS affiliation. I have hope that it will continue to get better though.

Spain is a powerful team.

U.S. crash out with an 0-2-1 record and despite scoring in every match, looked totally outclassed. Absolutely shredded by Ghana.