Austria 2-1 a.e.t {1-1} United States
Highlights
The circumstances of life conspired in such a way that I missed the first half, saw the second half, and missed extra time. The US's opening goal was great, and both that they conceded were total clusterfucks at the back. Sounds like the US keeper was still not nearly 100% fit after sustaining is injury during Brasil's goal, which forced him to miss the match against Uruguay. That's about all I can tell you, but as usual Bobbeh was all over it and has an excellent writeup.
Still, an excellent showing by the US team, in which they improved off their performance in the U17 World Cup of 2005, in which they shocked a Messi-lead Argentina in the first match, made it to the knockout stage, went 1-0 up on Italy, and then lost 3-1. Things look pretty good for the future with the core group from this team, with Adu showing that he can live up to his promise and Altidore looking like a really great big man of a striker. Those two play well together, compliment each other perfectly, and you can tell that they like playing well together as well- could be a really great strike partnership for the future. I also really like Zizzo out on the right. I would think that the stars of this team will start slotting into the senior squad as qualifying for World Cup 2010 starts, and I bet we'll also see some of them at the Confederations Cup in 2009.
In the other quarterfinal yesterday, Czech Republic upset favored Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in which they apparently played some serious anti-football. If there was a bet for under 2.5 goals for the Austria-Czech semifinal, I would take it, as both teams seem to win by negating the other team and taking their chances when they get them, a la Greece at Euro 2004.
The other two quarterfinals are today, with Nigeria playing Chile at 11.15 a.m. PST and the 2 pretournament favorites, Argentina and Mexico, playing at 4.45 p.m. PST. I will definitely be giving that one my full attention, as I want to check out their 2 best players, Carlos Vega, who plays for Arsenal's youth team and is supposedly the next big thing, and Giovanni Dos Santos, who plays for Barcelona's youth team and is supposedly their next big thing. I tried to watch their round of 16 match on Friday, but only managed to see the 1st half via Slingbox at my desk, and I was at happy hour at the pub after that and there was pretty much no way I was going to get the Oakland A's game switched over to a Under 20 World Cup quarterfinal, especially without one of the teams being the US. From what little I saw both players are really skilled, fast as shit, and great on the ball, which is nothing new. I did learn that Dos Santos is left footed and rather short and small- like Romario small; as I had never seen him before I had no idea. Also very fleet of foot. Oh well, looking forward to seeing more of them today.
Showing posts with label Under 20 World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Under 20 World Cup. Show all posts
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
It Wasn't Pretty, But The US Are Through To The Last 8
Unites States 2-1 a.e.t. Uruguay {1-1}
Highlights
If the Poland and Brasil matches were a showcase of the great technical football for the US under 20 team, last night was not. I wasn't able to give this match my full attnetion, as I watched the first half via Slingbox from my office and had some work distractions, and during the second half I had 2 TVs going but my main focus was on the Argentina-Mexico Copa America semifinal. That being said, here is what I did see even if it didn't have my undivided attention for 90 minutes.
A very different kind of game: scrappy, and let's face it, pretty disjointed and ugly. A tight 0-0 for most of the night, the biggest news for the US was that Altidore went off around halftime with what looked like a pretty serious leg injury. In the 73rd minute Uruguay went up 1-0 after a good buildup that was aided by the US goalkeeper spilling a shot right onto a dude's foot to tap in. It looked like he could have done better but such is life.
Just when you were starting to think that this team had done a Red Sox pre 2005 {gotten people all excited that they were going to break though, only to flame out in disappointing fashion}, the US knotted the match at 1 with only 3 minutes left when a good cross was turned into the net by a Uruguyan defender for an own goal. If he hadn't done that then the US striker would have had a tap in, and even in doing so he brought down the striker, so it would have been a penalty anyways, so not the lamest of own goals by any stretch.
The US got extremely lucky in the final moments of regulation when a great header from Uruguay beat the keeper bu not his best friend, the goalpost. On to extra time.
Some decent chances for both teams in extra time, but it looked like we might be headed to dreaded penalties when the US cobbled together a scrappy goal early in the 2nd extra time frame. They managed to hold on for 10 minutes and that was that. A scrappy and physical match that boiled over into a bit of handbags at the end.
So not another virtuoso performance, but they did what they needed to do and scrapped out a come from behind win, and many times winning those kind of matches does more for a team's development that winning beautifully and perfectly.
On to the quarterfinals where the US will play Austria, who overcame Gambia 2-1. Austria's 4 matches thusfar have been 1-1, 1-0, 0-0, and 2-1, which tells me not to expect a free flowing offensive beautiful game on Saturday. More likely it will a low scoring, tight, lockdown, scrappy match similar top last night. Also, Altidore's status for Saturday is uncertain, and although he is not the whole team it would be a significant loss if he was unable to play.
Spain 4-2 a.e.t Brasil {2-2}
Highlights
I watched the nightcap match between Brasil and Spain which was a much better show for the neutrals- good end to end free flowing stuff and tons of chances for both teams. Brasil scored 2 in 2 minutes towards the end of the first half, but then crucially Spain got one back immediately and just before halftime, even if it was a little dubious. It sure looked like it went in off the striker's arm, but the referee was positioned in such a way that this was obscured from his vantage point, and there is one replay that makes it look like it went in off his thigh, which it may very well have. Either way, the goal stood and Spain went into the locker room with hope. The second half saw lots of action but no goals until Spain scored a nice equalizer with only 6 minutes left. On to extra time where Spain went ahead 3-2 near the end of the first extra period, then the game really opened up as Brasil desperately went forward trying to equalize, resulting in end to end action usually seen in the latter stages of a pickup basketball game when everyone is tired. Spain had 3 breakaways that were either 2 on 1 or 3 on 1, but each time the dude with the ball was selfish and tried to score a great goal on their own instead of passing to a teammate for a much easier goal. Then in the final minute the very dude who was forsaken by his teammates selfishness scored to make it 4-2, which was someone poetic justice for him. So Brasil completed their tournament of disappointment by blowing a 2-0 lead and losing 4-2, and in their 4 matches played they lost 3 outright, the first with a man advantage for 60+ minutes. Has ANY Brasilian team, at any level, produced a set of results to match these?
In the other late match the Czech Republic came from 0-2 down against Japan to get to 2-2, then beat Japan in a shootout.
Today's matches {all on Galavision I believe in addition to ESPN U}
Argentina-Poland 1.45 p.m. PST
Zambia-Nigeria 1.45 p.m. PST
Chile-Portugal 4.45 p.m. PST
Mexico-Congo 4.45 p.m. PST
Hoping to catch the Mexico match as I'm hoping to see my first glimpse of Arsenal youth player and supposed next sensation Carlos Vela.
Saturday's quarterfinals are:
USA-Austria
Spain-Czech Republic
Highlights
If the Poland and Brasil matches were a showcase of the great technical football for the US under 20 team, last night was not. I wasn't able to give this match my full attnetion, as I watched the first half via Slingbox from my office and had some work distractions, and during the second half I had 2 TVs going but my main focus was on the Argentina-Mexico Copa America semifinal. That being said, here is what I did see even if it didn't have my undivided attention for 90 minutes.
A very different kind of game: scrappy, and let's face it, pretty disjointed and ugly. A tight 0-0 for most of the night, the biggest news for the US was that Altidore went off around halftime with what looked like a pretty serious leg injury. In the 73rd minute Uruguay went up 1-0 after a good buildup that was aided by the US goalkeeper spilling a shot right onto a dude's foot to tap in. It looked like he could have done better but such is life.
Just when you were starting to think that this team had done a Red Sox pre 2005 {gotten people all excited that they were going to break though, only to flame out in disappointing fashion}, the US knotted the match at 1 with only 3 minutes left when a good cross was turned into the net by a Uruguyan defender for an own goal. If he hadn't done that then the US striker would have had a tap in, and even in doing so he brought down the striker, so it would have been a penalty anyways, so not the lamest of own goals by any stretch.
The US got extremely lucky in the final moments of regulation when a great header from Uruguay beat the keeper bu not his best friend, the goalpost. On to extra time.
Some decent chances for both teams in extra time, but it looked like we might be headed to dreaded penalties when the US cobbled together a scrappy goal early in the 2nd extra time frame. They managed to hold on for 10 minutes and that was that. A scrappy and physical match that boiled over into a bit of handbags at the end.
So not another virtuoso performance, but they did what they needed to do and scrapped out a come from behind win, and many times winning those kind of matches does more for a team's development that winning beautifully and perfectly.
On to the quarterfinals where the US will play Austria, who overcame Gambia 2-1. Austria's 4 matches thusfar have been 1-1, 1-0, 0-0, and 2-1, which tells me not to expect a free flowing offensive beautiful game on Saturday. More likely it will a low scoring, tight, lockdown, scrappy match similar top last night. Also, Altidore's status for Saturday is uncertain, and although he is not the whole team it would be a significant loss if he was unable to play.
Spain 4-2 a.e.t Brasil {2-2}
Highlights
I watched the nightcap match between Brasil and Spain which was a much better show for the neutrals- good end to end free flowing stuff and tons of chances for both teams. Brasil scored 2 in 2 minutes towards the end of the first half, but then crucially Spain got one back immediately and just before halftime, even if it was a little dubious. It sure looked like it went in off the striker's arm, but the referee was positioned in such a way that this was obscured from his vantage point, and there is one replay that makes it look like it went in off his thigh, which it may very well have. Either way, the goal stood and Spain went into the locker room with hope. The second half saw lots of action but no goals until Spain scored a nice equalizer with only 6 minutes left. On to extra time where Spain went ahead 3-2 near the end of the first extra period, then the game really opened up as Brasil desperately went forward trying to equalize, resulting in end to end action usually seen in the latter stages of a pickup basketball game when everyone is tired. Spain had 3 breakaways that were either 2 on 1 or 3 on 1, but each time the dude with the ball was selfish and tried to score a great goal on their own instead of passing to a teammate for a much easier goal. Then in the final minute the very dude who was forsaken by his teammates selfishness scored to make it 4-2, which was someone poetic justice for him. So Brasil completed their tournament of disappointment by blowing a 2-0 lead and losing 4-2, and in their 4 matches played they lost 3 outright, the first with a man advantage for 60+ minutes. Has ANY Brasilian team, at any level, produced a set of results to match these?
In the other late match the Czech Republic came from 0-2 down against Japan to get to 2-2, then beat Japan in a shootout.
Today's matches {all on Galavision I believe in addition to ESPN U}
Argentina-Poland 1.45 p.m. PST
Zambia-Nigeria 1.45 p.m. PST
Chile-Portugal 4.45 p.m. PST
Mexico-Congo 4.45 p.m. PST
Hoping to catch the Mexico match as I'm hoping to see my first glimpse of Arsenal youth player and supposed next sensation Carlos Vela.
Saturday's quarterfinals are:
USA-Austria
Spain-Czech Republic
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Galavision To The Rescue
If ESPN flakes and doesn't pickup the U20 World Cup US-Uruguay match, and like me you don't have ESPNU, then fear not- Galavision is showing it.
The match starts at 4.45 p.m. PST, and Argentina-Mexico Copa America semifinal kicks off at 5.50 p.m. PST over on Univision.
I wanted to do a preview and a writeup about some Freddy Adu thoughts I've had in the last week, but work intervened today; hopefully I can crank that out in the next day or two.
Here's a great preview of the Round of 16 by Bobbeh.
Enjoy.
The match starts at 4.45 p.m. PST, and Argentina-Mexico Copa America semifinal kicks off at 5.50 p.m. PST over on Univision.
I wanted to do a preview and a writeup about some Freddy Adu thoughts I've had in the last week, but work intervened today; hopefully I can crank that out in the next day or two.
Here's a great preview of the Round of 16 by Bobbeh.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Under 20 World Cup: Welcome To Bizarro World
I know this is late, but still worth talking about:
United States 2-1 Brasil
All the highlights of an incredible match
Aside: Hey ESPN, why don't you move that scoreboard bar down a bit? It isn't quite blocking enough of the screen; you might be able to make it even more annoying if you put in a little effort...
Before the tournament Brasil were one of the 3 favorites, with Argentina and Mexcio, to win the whole thing. Then they were shocked 1-0 by Poland, who the US then went on to demolish 6-1 in an amazing display of footy. Even still, the US were certainly underdogs to Brasil on Friday evening in their final group match. It's freaking Brasil, and no US mens national team had ever beaten a Brasil mens national team in any tournament competition at any level before.
US went out to a 1-0 lead and were playing with confidence rather than awe or fear against Brasil. They created as many chances to score a 2nd as Brasil did to equalize. The whole thing was exciting enough on it's own, but with the other final group stage match between Poland-South Korea going on concurrently, it was even more so, as qualification hung in the balance for both teams, but especially Brasil. Eventually Brasil did tie it up in the 70th minute on as crappy a goal as you will ever see. Up until that point I was really impressed with the US team, and when this happened I said to myself "now we'll really see what this team is made of". Brasil {and eveyone else in the world} were thinking "we're fucking Brasil, we are going to get a winner or worst case scenario we'll finish level, but there's no way this American team is taking this punch and coming back to knock us out."
But damn if that isn't exactly what happened, when Altidore finished off a move that started when Freddy Adu was literally cornered by 2 dudes and did some complete circus shit to leave those two in the dust and put in a cross. An amazing move, a deflection, a nice finish by the big man, and 2-1 to the US, who then held on for a second famous win in as many matches, and damn near knocking Brasil out of the tournament in the process {I don't think Brasil have ever failed to get out of the group stages in the U20 World Cup before}. In the end the results in the other groups allowed Brasil to slide into the round of 16 via the backdoor as one of the 4 best 3rd place teams.
So the US won their group with 2 wins and a draw, and find themselves pitted against Uruguay in the round of 16. They also got a pretty good draw, with favorites Argentina & Mexico on the other side of the draw, meaning they wouldn't see them until the final, and Brasil on the bottom of their side, meaning they wouldn't see them until the semifinals. First things first, though- round of 16 against Uruguay on Wednesday evening.
Your quarterfinal matchups are:
Wednesday
Austria-Gambia
United States-Uruguay
Spain-Brasil
Japan-Czech Republic
Thursday
Chile-Portugal
Zambia-Nigeria
Argentina-Poland
Mexico-Congo
I have to admit I am crushing on this US team, and it is the first time for me that I have really gotten behind a US mens soccer team at any level. My attitude towards US Soccer had always mirrored my attitude towards US automobiles- I can't bring myself to cheer fervently for/purchase one just because they are American and I am American, mainly because they are a shittier product than those available in other countries.
This is the first time I have seen a US team playing with confidence and bravado like they really belonged with the biggest of big boys. As much as the US has improved, by and large they have become a team that is confident against CONCACAF teams but not so much against the big boys. And I'm not just talking about results, more about attitude and how they played. Even when they US shocked Portugal 3-2 in the 2002 World Cup and went on a run all they way to the quarterfinal, they were an underdog cinderella team {on par with, say, George Mason in the 2006 NCAA tournament}, and even they knew it.
This team seems different, they are playing with confidence and even dare I say, a swagger. It's not the typical US underdog "shit, let's just try to contain them, and maybe we'll get some luck on the offensive end and pull off a shocker." It's more like "fuck that. We're don't give a damn who you are; we're playing you even, and we're going to play with panache, style, we're going to attack you, we are not timid or afraid, and we can play with and beat you no matter who you are". This is hard to explain, but it shows in their attitude, body language, the way they play, their style of play, their projected confidence, etc. And they're doing the business. For these reasons I am watching their matches as more than a neutral observer; I am pulling hard for them to win, which has never really been the case in the past because for the most part US teams have always been inferior not only in talent but in style of play.
Anyhow, enough about me, that's not the point. The point is that this young team is legit, and they have shown that they have as good a chance as any to make it to the final and perhaps even win this thing. More importantly, it means that the future of US Soccer is bright, and that the leadup to World Cup 2010 will be exciting as the better members of this group {Adu, Altidore, Zizzo, etc} slot in with the senior national team.
I'll be hoping that ESPN chooses to show the round of 16 match against Uruguay tomorrow night so I can watch them again. Friday they pre-empted showing a replay of a hot dog eating contest; hopefully they will do the same with the planned replay of the home run derby.
United States 2-1 Brasil
All the highlights of an incredible match
Aside: Hey ESPN, why don't you move that scoreboard bar down a bit? It isn't quite blocking enough of the screen; you might be able to make it even more annoying if you put in a little effort...
Before the tournament Brasil were one of the 3 favorites, with Argentina and Mexcio, to win the whole thing. Then they were shocked 1-0 by Poland, who the US then went on to demolish 6-1 in an amazing display of footy. Even still, the US were certainly underdogs to Brasil on Friday evening in their final group match. It's freaking Brasil, and no US mens national team had ever beaten a Brasil mens national team in any tournament competition at any level before.
US went out to a 1-0 lead and were playing with confidence rather than awe or fear against Brasil. They created as many chances to score a 2nd as Brasil did to equalize. The whole thing was exciting enough on it's own, but with the other final group stage match between Poland-South Korea going on concurrently, it was even more so, as qualification hung in the balance for both teams, but especially Brasil. Eventually Brasil did tie it up in the 70th minute on as crappy a goal as you will ever see. Up until that point I was really impressed with the US team, and when this happened I said to myself "now we'll really see what this team is made of". Brasil {and eveyone else in the world} were thinking "we're fucking Brasil, we are going to get a winner or worst case scenario we'll finish level, but there's no way this American team is taking this punch and coming back to knock us out."
But damn if that isn't exactly what happened, when Altidore finished off a move that started when Freddy Adu was literally cornered by 2 dudes and did some complete circus shit to leave those two in the dust and put in a cross. An amazing move, a deflection, a nice finish by the big man, and 2-1 to the US, who then held on for a second famous win in as many matches, and damn near knocking Brasil out of the tournament in the process {I don't think Brasil have ever failed to get out of the group stages in the U20 World Cup before}. In the end the results in the other groups allowed Brasil to slide into the round of 16 via the backdoor as one of the 4 best 3rd place teams.
So the US won their group with 2 wins and a draw, and find themselves pitted against Uruguay in the round of 16. They also got a pretty good draw, with favorites Argentina & Mexico on the other side of the draw, meaning they wouldn't see them until the final, and Brasil on the bottom of their side, meaning they wouldn't see them until the semifinals. First things first, though- round of 16 against Uruguay on Wednesday evening.
Your quarterfinal matchups are:
Wednesday
Austria-Gambia
United States-Uruguay
Spain-Brasil
Japan-Czech Republic
Thursday
Chile-Portugal
Zambia-Nigeria
Argentina-Poland
Mexico-Congo
I have to admit I am crushing on this US team, and it is the first time for me that I have really gotten behind a US mens soccer team at any level. My attitude towards US Soccer had always mirrored my attitude towards US automobiles- I can't bring myself to cheer fervently for/purchase one just because they are American and I am American, mainly because they are a shittier product than those available in other countries.
This is the first time I have seen a US team playing with confidence and bravado like they really belonged with the biggest of big boys. As much as the US has improved, by and large they have become a team that is confident against CONCACAF teams but not so much against the big boys. And I'm not just talking about results, more about attitude and how they played. Even when they US shocked Portugal 3-2 in the 2002 World Cup and went on a run all they way to the quarterfinal, they were an underdog cinderella team {on par with, say, George Mason in the 2006 NCAA tournament}, and even they knew it.
This team seems different, they are playing with confidence and even dare I say, a swagger. It's not the typical US underdog "shit, let's just try to contain them, and maybe we'll get some luck on the offensive end and pull off a shocker." It's more like "fuck that. We're don't give a damn who you are; we're playing you even, and we're going to play with panache, style, we're going to attack you, we are not timid or afraid, and we can play with and beat you no matter who you are". This is hard to explain, but it shows in their attitude, body language, the way they play, their style of play, their projected confidence, etc. And they're doing the business. For these reasons I am watching their matches as more than a neutral observer; I am pulling hard for them to win, which has never really been the case in the past because for the most part US teams have always been inferior not only in talent but in style of play.
Anyhow, enough about me, that's not the point. The point is that this young team is legit, and they have shown that they have as good a chance as any to make it to the final and perhaps even win this thing. More importantly, it means that the future of US Soccer is bright, and that the leadup to World Cup 2010 will be exciting as the better members of this group {Adu, Altidore, Zizzo, etc} slot in with the senior national team.
I'll be hoping that ESPN chooses to show the round of 16 match against Uruguay tomorrow night so I can watch them again. Friday they pre-empted showing a replay of a hot dog eating contest; hopefully they will do the same with the planned replay of the home run derby.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Arsenal American Joga Bonito Wednesday:
America, Fuck Yeah! Edition
I'll start off with Benny Feilhaber's stunning gamewinner in the recent Gold Cup final against Mexico, since it is probably the best US goal I've ever seen.
Que golaso del Estados Unidos!
Yesterday, at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup The young US team must have been feeling extra patriotic. They were lucky to draw their first match with South Korea despite getting pretty much dominated, and they faced a Poland team high off their shocking 1-0 with only 10 men upset over always favored Brasil. The US spotted Poland a 1-0 lead and then cued up the soundtrack to "America Fuck Yeah!" and annihilated Poland by scoring 6 unanswered goals to win 6-1. One of the best performances by any US national team, well, ever, with a good bit of Joga Bonito to boot.
Warning: American asskicking ahead: proceed with caution.
Freddy Adu got a hattrick {his 1st was something special} and I'm pretty fired up that we have a dude named "Zizzo", who resembles Cesc Fabregas both physically and in his play. Overall the kind of performance by the youngsters that gives US soccer fans confidence and hope that we will be able to compete at the highest levels in the years to come.
Oh, and if you hate soccer, then just watch this video.
"America, fuck yeah!!!"
Happy 231, America.
Que golaso del Estados Unidos!
Yesterday, at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup The young US team must have been feeling extra patriotic. They were lucky to draw their first match with South Korea despite getting pretty much dominated, and they faced a Poland team high off their shocking 1-0 with only 10 men upset over always favored Brasil. The US spotted Poland a 1-0 lead and then cued up the soundtrack to "America Fuck Yeah!" and annihilated Poland by scoring 6 unanswered goals to win 6-1. One of the best performances by any US national team, well, ever, with a good bit of Joga Bonito to boot.
Warning: American asskicking ahead: proceed with caution.
Freddy Adu got a hattrick {his 1st was something special} and I'm pretty fired up that we have a dude named "Zizzo", who resembles Cesc Fabregas both physically and in his play. Overall the kind of performance by the youngsters that gives US soccer fans confidence and hope that we will be able to compete at the highest levels in the years to come.
Oh, and if you hate soccer, then just watch this video.
"America, fuck yeah!!!"
Happy 231, America.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Our Cups Runneth Over.
We Shall Not Want For International Footy
FIFA Under 20 World Cup Canada 2007
Last week the CONCACAF Gold Cup ended and the CONMEBOL Copa America began. Today begins the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, formerly known as the World Youth Championship. It is exactly the same as the World Cup except that all players must be born after January 1, 1987. This tournament showcases the best young talent in the world, and often identifies the next big thing, both individual and team-wise. For example, everyone knows about "the golden generation" of Portugal, but those who paid attnention to this tournament in 1989 and 1991 knew about their greatness even earlier: they won both tournaments and then went on to greatness at the senior level.
Canada is proudly hosting, and this is the most prestigious tournament they have ever held. As such, Scottish born and longtime Canadian resident Bobbeh McMahon is all over this tournament, with detailed group previews and analysis.
Unfortunately the 2 best 19 year old footballers on the planet are not participating: Lionel Messi is paying with the senior Argentina team in the Copa America, and Spain's Cesc Fabregas, now a regular on the senior international team, is not "stepping back down" to the youth level. He is resting to gear up for Spain's Euro2008 qualifying and Arsenal's upcoming season.
That being said, there is still a great deal of talent to be seen; personally I am hoping to check out Mexico's striker Carlos Vela, because he is an Arsenal player. He led Mexico to the Under 17 World Championship in 2005 and was the tournaments leading scorer as well. Here is Soccernet's list of players to watch as well as Bobbeh's list of stars from 2005's Under 17 World Cup that are returning and playing in this competition.
Incredibly, Argentina have won this competition 4 of the last 6 times it was played. Having never seen 90% of these dudes play, I am not in a position to offer a good prediction on a winner, I'm just hoping to check out some of these guys who in 2-3 years time will emerge on the world soccer scene as stars.
TV coverage is kind of all over the place, with Galavision, Fox Sports Espanol, and GolTV all showing some matches. I believe the USA matches are being shown on ESPNU as well. This is always a good place to start looking for what is on when.
***Update***
They are off to a flying start, with Poland shocking 4 time champion Brasil 1-0 despite playing the last 63 miutes with only 10 men.
Last week the CONCACAF Gold Cup ended and the CONMEBOL Copa America began. Today begins the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, formerly known as the World Youth Championship. It is exactly the same as the World Cup except that all players must be born after January 1, 1987. This tournament showcases the best young talent in the world, and often identifies the next big thing, both individual and team-wise. For example, everyone knows about "the golden generation" of Portugal, but those who paid attnention to this tournament in 1989 and 1991 knew about their greatness even earlier: they won both tournaments and then went on to greatness at the senior level.
Canada is proudly hosting, and this is the most prestigious tournament they have ever held. As such, Scottish born and longtime Canadian resident Bobbeh McMahon is all over this tournament, with detailed group previews and analysis.
Unfortunately the 2 best 19 year old footballers on the planet are not participating: Lionel Messi is paying with the senior Argentina team in the Copa America, and Spain's Cesc Fabregas, now a regular on the senior international team, is not "stepping back down" to the youth level. He is resting to gear up for Spain's Euro2008 qualifying and Arsenal's upcoming season.
That being said, there is still a great deal of talent to be seen; personally I am hoping to check out Mexico's striker Carlos Vela, because he is an Arsenal player. He led Mexico to the Under 17 World Championship in 2005 and was the tournaments leading scorer as well. Here is Soccernet's list of players to watch as well as Bobbeh's list of stars from 2005's Under 17 World Cup that are returning and playing in this competition.
Incredibly, Argentina have won this competition 4 of the last 6 times it was played. Having never seen 90% of these dudes play, I am not in a position to offer a good prediction on a winner, I'm just hoping to check out some of these guys who in 2-3 years time will emerge on the world soccer scene as stars.
TV coverage is kind of all over the place, with Galavision, Fox Sports Espanol, and GolTV all showing some matches. I believe the USA matches are being shown on ESPNU as well. This is always a good place to start looking for what is on when.
***Update***
They are off to a flying start, with Poland shocking 4 time champion Brasil 1-0 despite playing the last 63 miutes with only 10 men.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)