CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2017

CONCACAF_U-20_Championship#Classification_stage

   The USA has made the Classification Stage. The top 2 teams in each of these groups will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. That is always the top goal for the USA. I and the fans however want a championship and want the U-20 to get better each cycle.

    What I want is the USA playing regularly for the Championship. The USA should be the Germany of CONCACAF. The US is placed in a group with perennial power Mexico and Group C winner El Salvador.

   There is no taking it easy now. Their first game is against Mexico who have dominated this age group. Mexico has 13 titles and the USA have none. This match starts tomorrow...


The USA does have talent on the team.

USA update CONCACAF U-20 Championship

     We have to wait til next month for the WCQ matches against Honduras and Panama, but they are only 2 games. This summer we have the very entertaining, exciting and growing Gold Cup. So for now we rely on out junior teams to get us through the international drought.
    The U-20 Tournament is in full swing in the tropical Costa Rica. The USA is only 1-1 after dropping their first match against pesky Panama. The USA should easily get past Saint Kitts and Nevis but as on now they would need underdog Haiti beat PAnama and create a 3 way tie for first. IF that happens - USA better not just dominate Saint K but put many goals past the overmatch island.


IF the USA places second which is the most realistic outcome, they have powerful Mexico who won their Group A and El Salvador who won group B waiting in the next round. We can wait to see what happens today before we get into that.

Go USA

Concacaf U-20 Championship (Feb 17th - March)

CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2017 

(Costa Rica)

The venues will be the historic Saprissa stadium and the National Stadium in San Jose.

            Ok the next tournament for the USA is the U-20 Championship that will take place in February and March of 2017. The USA needs to place in one of the top 3 in this tournament to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The World Cup is May 20^th to June and is hosted by South Korea. For tournament details check here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_CONCACAF_U-20_Championship#Classification_stage

Costa Rica National Stadium (35,175)

This tournament has been dominated by Mexico. They have won 13 of the 20 tournaments. Canada, Costa Rica and Honduras each won 2. El Salvador is your other winner. Thats right, the USA has not won this championship at this age and they don’t seem to take it serious. The USA has qualified for the last 9 World Cups and that seems to be their goal…just to qualify. I am hoping this group of coaches (Tab Ramos) and the young group of kids play "for" the Championship.

 Group Stage 

Saprissa Stadium (23,000 capacity)

This year our young stars are grouped with Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Haiti. All the states have to do is beat out 2 of these 3 teams which they are favorite to do. The important (qualifying games) is the next round.

Round 2 will be 2 groups of 3 and each team will play 2 games. The top 2 teams qualify directly to the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The other 2 teams will be seeded. While the 2^nd place team will play the 3^rd of the other group and vice versa. Then the 2 winners will play for 3^rd place and the vital last CONCACAF spot in the World Cup.

It will be Tab Ramos who will guide this young hungry group. Each tournament we are seeing more players from MLS academy teams. 

USA Roster.

Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, CA), JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, CA)

DEFENDERS (7): Marcello Borges (Michigan; Kearny, NJ), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, AZ), Aaron Hererra (New Mexico; Casa Grande, AZ), Jake Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; Fort Lauderdale, FL), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, FL), Miles Robinson (Syracuse; Arlington, MA), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; Chester, PA)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, UT), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls II; Wappingers Falls, NY), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Chester, PA), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, UT), Nick Taitague (FC Richmond; Midlothian, VA), Eryk Williamson (Maryland; Alexandria, VA)

FORWARDS (5): Jeremy Ebobisse (Charleston Battery; Bethesda, MD), Jonathan Lewis (Akron; Plantation, FL), Victor Mansaray (Seattle Sounders FC; Des Moines, WA), Emmanuel Sabbi (UD Las Palmas; Libertyville, IL), Brandon Vazquez (Atlanta United FC; Chula Vista, CA)

Yes, that’s right Klinsmann’s son is the goalie.

  

Central American Cup 2017 Panama Final

    Well Surprise surprise, the tournament was not won by the dominant.nation of Costa Rica, nor was it won by the up and coming, Panama. This tournament was won by Honduras -- 

this makes Honduras the 2nd most successful nation in this regional tournament. This championship give Honduras 4 titles. The last time they won thye also played in Panama. 

Let it be notes that Nicaragua has made great strides to remain competitive in this tournament. They use to get blown out. 

Panama hosted the event and nothing short of a championship would be a disappointment. They did finish above rival Costa Rica.

Belize has also made great strides in staying competitive. They are the worst team in the Centates.ral America but have come a long way.

Honduras, Panama, El Salvador and Costa Rica will represent the region in the Gold Cup 2017 in the st