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A look at the current U.S. Under-23 training camp

CalebPorter (ISIPhotos.com)

Caleb Porter's first camp in charge of the U.S. Under-23 national team is well underway in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Florida, as some of the most talented young players in American soccer do their best to try and impress the coach assigned the task of helping the United States qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

The current camp is one of three more training camps the U.S. U-23s will take part in before Olympic qualifying starts in March, and the competition for places and the pressure to impress Porter has already led to an intense camp. There are players who have already improved their stock, while some others have struggled early on.

Here is my Fox Soccer story on Porter's first camp since being names U.S. Under-23 coach (the team held a camp in Germany last month which Porter organized, but he did not attend due to commitments as head coach of Akron). Also, here is my Fox Soccer piece on some early training camp observations.

Here are some more observations about the U.S. Under-23 team, and the first part of the current camp:

Terrance Boyd is legit. No, he didn't have a great showing in the intra-squad scrimmage on Sunday, but throughout camp, and in the camp in Germany, Boyd has shown that he is truly a prospect to keep an eye on. It's tough to not see him starting when Olympic qualifying starts.

Mix Diskerud is a skillful player, but folks might want to slow down on the clamoring for a senior team call-up. He's a bit of a soft player. He does some nice things with the ball, and has a unique style, but he's a bit casual, which makes you wonder how he'll fit into the high-pressing 4-3-3 style Caleb Porter wants to play with the Under-23 team. Diskerud is still young, and there's no question he is very talented, but he does not look ready for the full senior international level.

Joseph Gyau is a star in the making. He's still a bit raw, but he has jaw-dropping speed and has grown considerably stronger than he was a year ago. It won't be long before he's getting minutes with TSG Hoffenheim. One of the most exciting prospects in the entire pool.

Freddy Adu has shown the skill and experience you expect from him, but even he would acknowledge that he isn't a lock to make the Olympic team. It will be interesting to see how he settles into Porter's 4-3-3 system, and where he ultimately winds up being deployed. His skill and experience make him a safe bet he makes the team, but just how he winds up being used is the big question in my book.

Sebastian Lletget is a very sharp passer, and as much as most American fans have read about him more than they've actually seen him play, I would say the hype that has long surrounded him is justified. He is a very smooth midfielder who reads the game well and delivers pin-point passes. Like some others in this group, what he needs is first-team playing time to take his development to the next level.

Jared Jeffrey isn't a flashy player, but he is a very skilled and very effective player. He could do very well in the 4-3-3.

Amobi Okugo looks to be a very strong candidate for playing time as a defensive midfielder in the 4-3-3. It's still early, and there are players who haven't been around because of injuries or lack of availabiity, but Okugo has shown in this camp that his lack of playing time with Philadelphia last season didn't slow impact his quality as a player. 

Much like Okugo, Jack McInerney didn't see a ton of playing time for Philadelphia in 2011, but he's looking very good as a wide forward in the 4-3-3. He has definitely caught the eye of Porter. His mobility, tenacity and nose for goal make him a very intriguing prospect.

Gale Agbossoumonde needs to play games. The tools are there to be a special centerback, but the lack of playing time with Eintracht Frankfurt is slowing his development. As it stands, he has been the most impressive centerback in camp for my money.

Sebastien Ibeagha is a college player, but doesn't play like one. He's strong and confident and it's scary to think he's just a sophomore at Duke. He has held his own against the physical forwards in camp, and should not be ruled out as a senior contender for the Olympic qualifying lineup. I also can't see him going back to Duke. He is a Houston Dynamo academy product and I would be VERY surprised if he weren't in a Dynamo uniform soon.

The three college players at the camp have held their own, with Andrew Wenger showing some good things playing mainly as a centerback. He hasn't played centerback for two years, but his passing from deep and his size and strength combined with impressive skill make him a player who could blossom into a solid centerback. He's also versatile enough to play in defensive midfield.

Kelyn Rowe has shown some signs, but it's tough for him to impress considering all the midfield talent in camp. That said, he has definitely shown the qualities that make him a top draft prospect if he chooses to sign with MLS.

Dilly Duka impressed at the recent Generation adidas trip, and is impressing in the current U-23 camp. His playing time with the Columbus Crew has clearly helped him progress as a player and boosted his confidence.

Jorge Villafana is the only natural left back in the camp and he actually did very well in the intra-squad scrimmage. He has had some very good moments in camp and shouldn't be written off as a candidate to make the team.

Andrew Wooten looks like a solid forward. He showed well in the Germany camp, and has looked sharp in the current camp. There is some strong competition for forward spots, but he's one to keep an eye on.

Right back is a stacked position. Sheanon Williams and Zarek Valentin have both looked sharp and their status as starters in MLS has led to both coming in playing at a high level. Kofi Sarkodie didn't get a chance to play much with Houston this year, and he has fallen behind the pack. Throw in the fact Timmy Chandler is Olympic eligible and Alfredo Morales and Danny Williams can also play right back and you realize some very good right backs aren't going to make it.

The goalkeeper position is stacked. Bill Hamid is the the first-choice option, with Zac MacMath looking like the second choice. Sean Johnson is good, and can make some jaw-dropping saves, but his distribution leaves something to be desired and he's nowhere near the on-field communicator Hamid is (yes, Hamid loves to talk, both on and off the field).

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These are just some observations from camp. If I think of some others that I may have missed, I will add them here later. Obviously players will see their stock rise and fall in the coming weeks and months, but this should hopefully give you some idea of how players are doing early on in the process to select the U.S. Olympic Qualifying team and ultimately the U.S. Olympic Team.

What do you think of these observations?

Share your thoughts below. 

Comments

  1. Okugo is a defensive midfielder, Williams is a right back. Gyau and Gatt will probably both make it as wingers. Mix and Adu are probably both locks as well (Adu shouldn’t be imo). All those forwards may be behind the trio of Altidore, Boyd, and Wooten.

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  2. There are going to be some great competitions for spots on this roster. Gyau v Gatt, Mix v Lletget, Adu v Duka, Okugo v Williams, Bunbury v Agudelo v George, and the keepers!

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  3. Sorry about the misspelling for Bad not Bed Memories. and On not Oh. and Ives thanks for all the Info. and yes Gyua is a real deal he was the best player in the U20 World Cup Qualifying and I wish I can see him in the Senior pretty soon.

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  4. Well I want to see only three people that can do something good for the U23 Olympic team that is over the age. that is Dempsey, Micheal Bradley and Oguchie(maybe Howard, Donovan or Holden..Torres if he healthy) and for Adu can believe so many people have a bed Memory that he was a fresh air in the Gold Cup when he came in he made a different by assisting oh all the goals on the Semi Final and the Final. Adu is like Dos Santos from Mexico they are not doing great in their clubs but as soon they put the National Jersey they are great players. SO Stop this crap
    about Adu and give him a chance in the National Stage believe me that he will not disappoint you. THANKS THOMAS FOR the video IT BRINGS BACK HOW GOOD IS ADU WHEN HE PLAY FOR THE USA.(REMEMBER THAT THIS GUY DECIDED TO PLAY FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE CAUSE HE LOVE THIS COUNTRY WHEN HE HAD THE CHANCE TO PLAY FOR GHANA- REMEMBER GHANA THE ONE WHO TWICE KICK OUR ASSES IN THE WORLD CUP.

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  5. Its unjustified because most scouts and media people attending this camp are saying Wenger is the best defender. Ives’ ability to write articles and evaluate talent are mutually exclusive

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  6. Good observations Ives. I believe you are the only one giving in-depth reports of the 23’s, thanks. From your reports CB is the area of least depth. The college kids may be good, but can Porter risk going in with Ibeagha and Wenger against pros? Gyau has been good for some time. I hope you’re right about him making the Hoffenheim roster soon. To me, he was the best player at the U-20 WC, and should have gotten more of the ball in the tournament. No one there could stay with him.

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  7. Fabian Johnson because he can play LB and midfield.

    One overage CB, possibly even two. But not Boca as he is too old and slow now.

    Some regular (besides Howard, we’re fine at GK) who wants to play on the Olympic team (Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Holden, etc.).

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  8. While I agree that “Boss” has been unjustifiably hyped (he makes lots of mental errors from what I have seen, plus he continues to not play regularly wherever he goes), how can you say THIS praise is unjustified unless you’re actually at camp watching these guys practice?

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  9. Aside from the guys we have hyped to death in the last few months (Boyd, Gatt, etc.), Dilly Duka is a guy who is really looking consistently impressive these days.

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  10. More unjustified praise for Agbossoumonde. Now all US Soccer fans boys will continue to hype him up until he royally fucks up again and costs the US a berth in another tournament.

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  11. Nice article Ives– good reporting and good writing. We’re hearing a lot about all these players, but it’s great to get some solid information from the camps.
    That’s why we like this site. Thanks!

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  12. Put differently, there are more experienced and higher quality overage players who could be the old hands in the same spots on the field, and there are different youth level flavors of the month that we ought to give a go instead.

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  13. I keep getting more excited every single time I read anything about or watch videos of Joseph Gyau. More important than one player is just the number of players with skill coming through that is the most exciting part to me.

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  14. Freddy’s problems have never been isolated nice moves or passes, it’s been (a) he’s small, slow, and not that fit as a more senior player as opposed to a kid (and is playing adults now); and (b) he’s not a motor guy who gets involved in defense or pass-run-pass-run-pass.

    There is also an interesting question of whether Freddy’s arguable plateauing as a senior player, at a merely OK, hit and miss level, suggests we should be moving down to the next prospect for the U23s. I see him as neither so dominant, like Altidore will be, that we want the “ringer,” nor so bright a prospect we should waste all this development time. Be better off getting someone in who has more senior upside and less of an obvious track record, who might actually grow.

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  15. One of my guesses for the over 23 players is Bocanegra. Looks like the back line will need one of these over-aged players and he makes sense given his expereince and the fact that it could be his last major tournament.

    Any other guesses?

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  16. Thanks Ives for your usual great reporting on areas that are not usually covered well. Is there one player that really has surprised you? Merry Christmas.

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  17. Nice piece. Also, good work on the Fox pieces. Just one minor correction: Porter was courted by DC United two years ago, not one year ago.

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  18. Gyau seems like a true up and coming stud. Based on the praise he has received and what I have seen, I am a little suprised he has not made the bench for his club.

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  19. It seems our weakest area is defense. With that in mind, you know who might be an interesting over age player, especially if he is not called up for the senior national team would be Omar Gonzalez.

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  20. Definetly exciting to see a lot of talent at this level. Hopefully we don’t count our chickens before they hatch, and have a U20 scenario where we fail to qualify.

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  21. With his speed and skillset, he embodies exactly what Klinsi wants in an attacking winger for his system, so I’d be shocked to see him at fullback.

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  22. The Olympics are a legit tournament that every federation would love to win. Wait until you see the overage players countries will send. It’s often their top players not under 23, that or very experienced players. That’s close to 30% of your starting line up being senior national teamers. When you consider Altidore, Chandler, Williams, Shea, etc. could be starters that’s almost 2/3 of the full national team on our Olympic Squad. Teams like Mexico could have an even higher ratio.

    Outside of the World Cup, it is the only truely ‘global’ competition, well and the Confederations Cup.

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  23. Really looking forward to the qualification process with these players. It’ll be exciting to see who will be available, as clubs are not required to release players, and when (if) we qualify who will actually represent us at the Olympics. With the level of talent available for the U-23 team I’m really hoping to see 6-8 players graduate to the Full National Team after the Olympics are concluded.

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  24. He played RB for molde in a few games, if you put him back their he’s basically just adding more depth to an already deep position. We lack depth at left and right mid and if its a 433 system left and right forward too. So he is better off playing one of those position.

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  25. No he filled in as a RB because of injuries. He is a winger by trade and has scored all his goals from that position. It would be a waste to put as an outside back when he would fit perfectly as a winger in Porters 4-3-3

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  26. Thanks for the updates. I am very excited about this olympic team. Assuming we qualify, imagine how good this team could be with the right over 23 players….

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  27. I know he is not in this camp, but I saw Gatt playing on the wing in the back (can’t remember if it was left or right) for his professional team. He made some amazing runs out of the back and scored some great goals. Once healthy, I think he will probably start on either the right or left for Porter. It makes more sense to put him back there given we are so stacked in the midfield.

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  28. are the Chandler’s and Altidore’s expected to be a part of this team? I would have thought that starting first teamers would not waste their time with a U-23 tournament, even if it is the Olympics, with qualifying bookending the tournament.

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  29. Thanks a bunch Ives. Keep the updates coming.

    I think it’s fair to say that if Adu doesn’t make this roster his USMNT days are over…and he’ll be nothing more than a highly skilled situational player going forward. There are worse things that this, but, considering his earlier hype…a big failure.

    I remember watching him with the U20s in Canada. He was jaw-dropping good…outperforming both Jo and Pato when the US beat Brazil.

    Watching him now, the one thing that has really let him down is his fitness. He’s terribly unfit…not even close to a 90 minute player.

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  30. Great article, Ives. I’ve been looking to see more info on the site about the U-23 team, and it’s nice to hear some updated analysis of players such as Gyau, Lletget, etc.

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