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Agudelo, Union trio added to U-23 camp

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Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

With their MLS seasons over after losses in the conference semifinals on Thursday, a handful of up-and-coming players in the U.S. Under-23 and Under-20 pools will get their chance to make their mark ahead of this spring's Olympic qualifiers.

New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo and Philadelphia Union forward Jack McInerney, midfielder Amobi Okugo and right back Sheanon Williams will all join the U.S. U-23 camp in Germany that is set to begin on Monday, raising the number of players in that camp up to 35.

In comments made on USSoccer.com on Thursday, U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann alluded to the fact that Agudelo and Teal Bunbury would be joining the U-23 camp instead of accompanying the senior national team for its friendlies if and when they became available following their clubs' involvement in the MLS playoffs.

According to a press release from the Philadelphia Union, the club's goalkeeper coach, Rob Vartughian, will join the coaching staff for the camp. Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath, however, the starter on the U.S. U-20 World Cup qualifying team, was not added to the camp's roster.

What do you think of these developments?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. McInerney was the leading scorer for the u-17’s during their run-up to the 2009 WC. A team that fielded Carlos Martinez, Stefan Jerome, Luis Gil, and Juan Agudelo. Obviously the team vastly underachieved but he has paid his dues in the national team setup. He doesn’t deserve to start for the u-20’s yet but he more than warrants a look.

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  2. McInerney is there because he’s so young, he’ll be eligible for the U-20 World Cup in 2013. And he’s already playing for one of the top 6 or 7 teams in MLS.

    Adu is a bit puzzling not being on this combined roster. But to be fair he hasn’t been getting playing time, which honestly I’m not sure why? I mean Michael Farfan has been good but not sure why keep playing both holding mids in Carroll and whomever else if they need a playmaker when they lined up a 4-4-2 or a great winger in a 4-3-3.

    Hope he and Torres can take care of things when they come back next year.

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  3. Agreed that McMath is an omission… Hopefully we’ll hear he ‘s training overseas or something. Someone please tell me how McIverney rates so high? Adu’s non call is I think due to injury…

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  4. James said in reply to Pauetta……

    Players like Williams have developed and should be given the chance. Hey are you trying to say that he has not developed…. from what I have seen lately he needs to be called up. He is developing into a great right back and has started just about every game for the Union. Every player is different and every player develops differently but I agrees with many people here….Williams deserves his call up. The kid is showing what he is made of and he looks like he has found a home with the Union in defense.

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  5. How would you know. I guarantee you haven’t Boss play a game since the South Africa friendly. He currently seems to be doing just fine in Germany.

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  6. It was a good team based on what? Your opinion? They were awful. They lost 3-0 to Germany and 3-0 to South Korea. They gave up 8 goals in 3 games. Guess who that back line was?

    Boss – Opara – Williams

    You’re telling me that you’re comfortable using the same back line for the olympics?

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  7. I think Pfeffer has tons of potential but in the regular season games in which he played he didn’t really have a positive impact. Any of the other players on the Union bench would have been just as good (save for McInerny and Adu who are horrendous).

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  8. Agree, there’s no need for Beckerman or Donovan to be on that roster, for even one game. Klinsmann is blind if he thinks Landon is in form, and Beckerman would be DM #6.

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  9. After watching the first Philly-Houston match on TV and going to the 2nd leg last night, I can say Williams was the only Philly defender defending with skill instead of fouls.

    Good selection.

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  10. 1.) We’re talking about Landon Donovan here, either the #1 or #2 best player we have

    2.) The USMNT is playing a top 10 team away… he’s needed, and he will have over a week to prepare for the MLS Cup if LA goes

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  11. Maybe it’s because Pfeffer is only 16, and not at all ready for competition at the U23 level. Let him get experience with the U17s and the U20s first.

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  12. How is it like the DeMerit story? Williams has been in the national team pipeline since he was a teenaged kid, including playing on national youth teams. He was recruited into one of the top college programs and left after a year for trials with top-tier European clubs. Then, a year with a PDL side, a shorter stint with Harrisburg and then an MLS deal. This is like DeMerit playing pub football until professional teams took notice?

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  13. Suprised Zach Pfeffer from the Union didn’t get a call up as well. Pfeffer is 16 and getting decent some minutes for the Union.

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  14. Surprised MacMath was excluded. I understand that we have a bunch of good young goalkeepers right now but I honestly think he could become an eventual US #1.

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  15. Tommy, the U-23 camp runs from Nov. 7-16….

    If the NYRB or Union would have made the finals, there would be less than 3 days (including travel time) between the last day of camp and the MLS Cup.

    For the senior squad, the deal is apparently that LD or Beckerman will fly back to the US after the 11/11 France game. There’s a difference.

    Regardless, I think it’s stupid for either LD or Beckerman to play in an international fixture (that means nothing) a week before the biggest game of the MLS season.

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  16. As a Union fan I am pretty happy for our players. Mostly Williams, he has come on great and getting this call up means he has a chance to really impress and push for a senior cap in the future.

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  17. TommyOC, different camp, and camp lengths between U23’s and the Senior national team. To attend the U23 camp your MLS season needs to be over.

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  18. So, wait… Klinsmann has the decency to wait ’til Agudelo’s and Bunbury’s seasons are over before calling them up to camp… but he refuses to do the same to Donovan and Beckerman?

    One of them (hopefully Donovan, hehe) will be competing in MLS Cup on the 20th and he’s expecting that person to play an extra match between AND fly 10,000+ miles to boot?!?

    Reply

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