General Soccer Thread

[thrill]

Aw hell yeah. Ya'al ready for some Western Hemisphere futbol?
http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/inter ... n-concacaf
It's in Spanish, but they're exploring inviting CONCACAF to Copa America by 2016. F yes.

[lukethedrifter]

I know you guys don't care about this but maybe you can answer anyway. Any ideas what the process is for making the U20 USMNT? I can't find info anywhere. Do they tryout a couple hundred? 40? 60?
Know how many of the USMNT came from the U20 squad?

The US Soccer website doesn't really have anything.

[thrill]

I know you guys don't care about this but maybe you can answer anyway. Any ideas what the process is for making the U20 USMNT? I can't find info anywhere. Do they tryout a couple hundred? 40? 60?
Know how many of the USMNT came from the U20 squad?

The US Soccer website doesn't really have anything.

Most of the current squad played for the u-20's, but the majority of players who made the u-20's at one point or another never get capped with the senior team. Making the team I'm not sure about. If you get invited to a camp, it's typically 3 or 4 keepers at the max and they carry 2 on game day, three for a major tournament. It's much more scatter shot than the senior team, trying to identify talent rather than refine it. A lot of times they use it to ingratiate themselves to dual-nationals who may be being courted by other countries as a way to let them know they're on the US radar.

[lukethedrifter]

I know you guys don't care about this but maybe you can answer anyway. Any ideas what the process is for making the U20 USMNT? I can't find info anywhere. Do they tryout a couple hundred? 40? 60?
Know how many of the USMNT came from the U20 squad?

The US Soccer website doesn't really have anything.

Most of the current squad played for the u-20's, but the majority of players who made the u-20's at one point or another never get capped with the senior team. Making the team I'm not sure about. If you get invited to a camp, it's typically 3 or 4 keepers at the max and they carry 2 on game day, three for a major tournament. It's much more scatter shot than the senior team, trying to identify talent rather than refine it. A lot of times they use it to ingratiate themselves to dual-nationals who may be being courted by other countries as a way to let them know they're on the US radar.

That part is interesting because my nephew is about as suburban American as they come however he was born in Mexico and his dad is from Colombia.

He is one of 4 invites to the Feb camp but was this is his first invite. Wasn't there in January at the prior camp.

[thrill]

I don't know anything about our u-20 crop, but it's possible they're giving him a sniff to possibly prevent him from committing to another country that would be easier to break into. Dangle the carrot kind of thing. Countries do this a lot.

Even if that's the case, the fact that he's there means he's got serious, professional talent. In a country where millions of kids play youth soccer and our self-scouting infrastructure and youth development isn't what it should be, to be noticed at this level is a great thing.

[G. Keenan]

Fun article from Der Spiegel:

Jürgen Klinsmann Tries to Teach Football to America

In Germany, Jürgen Klinsmann's success as a football trainer was limited. But as the coach of the US national team, he can experiment as much as he likes. He wants his team to reflect America -- and he wants to win. Eventually.

[thrill]

I'm out of action after getting my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Percocet & and the EPL have been clutch for me. Ever ton-Chelsea was great with Everton at their heart/courage/opportunist best. Landon is a master at exploiting a defense's angles from the wing.

Suarez made me do something i thought impossible, root for United. Rooney is a bad dude. Suarez is a worthless piece of classless garbage.

And Deuce? No one man should have all that power:
http://deadspin.com/5884267/clint-demps ... tical-nuke

[thrill]

Charlie Davies returned for Sochaux today @'Rennes in the 78th minute. Good for him.

Also, Pretty awesome how influential Donovan, Keane & Henry have been in this loan period.

[thrill]

Ronaldo is dirty: http://deadspin.com/5884459/cristiano-r ... ime-strike
Filthy goal.

[greenback44]

Ronaldo is dirty: http://deadspin.com/5884459/cristiano-r ... ime-strike
Filthy goal.

That looked like Wainwright's curve to Beltran.