The US Men’s National Teams will start their World Cup campaign this coming Saturday afternoon. This beginning will also be the start of the end for some of the members of the national team. Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo will be 35 in 2014. Landon Donovan and Demarcus Beasley will be 32. These players will be into the twilight of their career. Although it is not impossible they may still play some part for the next campaign, players like Jozy Altidore; Stuart Holden, Jose Torres and Michael Bradley will be the foundation for the next generation. During this heighten period of media coverage, soccer writers and pseudo soccer writers dip their toes in to the US youth soccer landscape. Since they have taken those liberties, I feel no shame in doing so also. At least, I have seen all but two of these players. So here are my 11 names to remember for the 2014 World Cup US National Team, Generation Next.
Bill Hamid - 20 year old GK for DC United. Signed as a home grown talent from the DC United Academy system, the 6’3” shot blocker has already showed poise in starts for the 1st team in both MLS and US Open Cup games. The US is known for its GK talent and right now, Bill Hamid is top of this class.
Sean Franklin - RB with the LA Galaxy. Speed and poise. Along with Omar Gonzalez, Sean is holding down the backline for the best defense in the MLS. He offers good support in attack. He can also play the CB position but with his 5’10” frame, CB will not be his position for international play.
Omar Gonzalez - CB with the LA Galaxy. A starter in his rookie campaign which earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award. Size and passing out of the back is a plus. Being one of the foundations of league leading team and logging valuable playing time, Omar may not be long for the MLS.
Ike Opara - CB for the SJ Earthquakes. Former U20 MNT starter, the more Ike plays the better he will be. It is simple as that. Ike’ hiatus between the College Cup and U20 WC didn’t have the best showing. He’s finally in pro environment. Ike has the talent to be one of the most dominating CB in US team history. I am that high on Ike.
Robbie Rogers - LM for the Columbus Crew. This is my biggest stretch. Robbie may have a successful career as a left midfielder in the MLS but I think he could have an above average international career as a left back. One of the fastest players in the MLS. An accurate left foot and a power shot with the right from 25+ yards out. He can claim that LB position if he makes the commitment.
Brek Shea - LM for FC Dallas. Anyone see him sees a world of talent. He needs playing time and some upper body strength. Size, speed and touch, he has all the tools. Brek is on the fast track to stardom.
Sebastian Lletget - 18 year old West Ham player. The little glimpse you seen with the U17 Men’s’ National Team showed he maybe on his way to be our #10. Call it what you will, Sebastian will be in a professional environment for the next four years playing with and against talent he would not see in the US.
Will Packwood - 17 year old player for Birmingham City Academy. Amobi Okugo and Dillon Powers should make this list but Will gets the nod for the same philosophical bias as Sebastian. At such young age, the 6’2” Packwood will be playing soccer year round against superior competition in his most important years of development.
Mikkel Diskerud - 19 year old with Stabæk of the Norwegian league. A former U20 MNT member. The RM is regular starter and contributor with Stabaek. “Mix”, as he is called, is rumored for a call-up for the 2011 Gold Cup
Felix Garcia - 20 year old Striker currently for Laredo Heat SC. This is my biggest reach as Tristan Bowen is sliding nicely into the striker role as the big boys are away for the LA Galaxy. Felix has to have some things break his way professionally and personally. But, I believe he has the gift for goals and he has the size, speed and skill to reach the next level.
Freddy Adu - Remember him? He’ll be 25 by 2014. You have to believe the stars will align for him professionally and maturity wise. Adu was never a speedster and may never be an above average defender. He does put the ball into the back of the net and his quickness in the box can still beat most defenders.
The US Men’s National Teams will start their World Cup campaign this coming Saturday afternoon. This beginning will also be the start of the end for some of the members of the national team. Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo will be 35 in 2014. Landon Donovan and Demarcus Beasley will be 32. These players will be into the twilight of their career. Although it is not impossible they may still play some part for the next campaign, players like Jozy Altidore; Stuart Holden, Jose Torres and Michael Bradley will be the foundation for the next generation. During this heighten period of media coverage, soccer writers and pseudo soccer writers dip their toes in to the US youth soccer landscape. Since they have taken those liberties, I feel no shame in doing so also. At least, I have seen all but two of these players. So here are my 11 names to remember for the 2014 World Cup US National Team, Generation Next.
Bill Hamid - 20 year old GK for DC United. Signed as a home grown talent from the DC United Academy system, the 6’3” shot blocker has already showed poise in starts for the 1st team in both MLS and US Open Cup games. The US is known for its GK talent and right now, Bill Hamid is top of this class.
Sean Franklin - RB with the LA Galaxy. Speed and poise. Along with Omar Gonzalez, Sean is holding down the backline for the best defense in the MLS. He offers good support in attack. He can also play the CB position but with his 5’10” frame, CB will not be his position for international play.
Omar Gonzalez - CB with the LA Galaxy. A starter in his rookie campaign which earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award. Size and passing out of the back is a plus. Being one of the foundations of league leading team and logging valuable playing time, Omar may not be long for the MLS.
Ike Opara - CB for the SJ Earthquakes. Former U20 MNT starter, the more Ike plays the better he will be. It is simple as that. Ike’ hiatus between the College Cup and U20 WC didn’t have the best showing. He’s finally in pro environment. Ike has the talent to be one of the most dominating CB in US team history. I am that high on Ike.
Robbie Rogers - LM for the Columbus Crew. This is my biggest stretch. Robbie may have a successful career as a left midfielder in the MLS but I think he could have an above average international career as a left back. One of the fastest players in the MLS. An accurate left foot and a power shot with the right from 25+ yards out. He can claim that LB position if he makes the commitment.
Brek Shea - LM for FC Dallas. Anyone see him sees a world of talent. He needs playing time and some upper body strength. Size, speed and touch, he has all the tools. Brek is on the fast track to stardom.
Sebastian Lletget - 18 year old West Ham player. The little glimpse you seen with the U17 Men’s’ National Team showed he maybe on his way to be our #10. Call it what you will, Sebastian will be in a professional environment for the next four years playing with and against talent he would not see in the US.
Will Packwood - 17 year old player for Birmingham City Academy. Amobi Okugo and Dillon Powers should make this list but Will gets the nod for the same philosophical bias as Sebastian. At such young age, the 6’2” Packwood will be playing soccer year round against superior competition in his most important years of development.
Mikkel Diskerud - 19 year old with Stabæk of the Norwegian league. A former U20 MNT member. The RM is regular starter and contributor with Stabaek. “Mix”, as he is called, is rumored for a call-up for the 2011 Gold Cup
Felix Garcia - 20 year old Striker currently for Laredo Heat SC. This is my biggest reach as Tristan Bowen is sliding nicely into the striker role as the big boys are away for the LA Galaxy. Felix has to have some things break his way professionally and personally. But, I believe he has the gift for goals and he has the size, speed and skill to reach the next level.
Freddy Adu - Remember him? He’ll be 25 by 2014. You have to believe the stars will align for him professionally and maturity wise. Adu was never a speedster and may never be an above average defender. He does put the ball into the back of the net and his quickness in the box can still beat most defenders.
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