USA-Brazil
Freddy Adu and his U.S. mates were placed in Group D for this summer's Under-20 World Cup in Canada with South Korea, Poland and some South American team called Brazil. The first two matches will be in Montreal, the third in Ottawa. If you're looking for an easy soccer vacation to see some quality futbol, this is the one for you.
Here's Coach Thomas Rongen's take:
"Anytime you go to a World Cup and you're drawn with Brazil it's exciting. For us to go out and measure ourselves against the best in the world is what this Under-20 competition is all about. With Poland and South Korea complementing Brazil we have a very interesting and tough group, but saying that, all 24 teams at this stage deserve to be there so there are no easy games."
And Freddy...
"I think we obviously have a hard group but I'm excited about this opportunity. We are going to find out how good we are playing against these teams and if we play well enough to get out of the group we will be well prepared for the second round because all three games are going to be tough. Brazil always has one of the best teams in every age group and it's a great opportunity for us to show we can play against the best in the world on the world stage. People are going to be watching and it is going to be a great atmosphere I'm sure. I'm looking forward to it."
Here's the full draw...
By Steve Goff |
March 3, 2007; 7:49 PM ET
World
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Posted by: Joe Doc | March 3, 2007 8:31 PM
The really bad part is that if the US finishes second they most likely play Argentina in R16. If they finish third, they most likely play Canada or Spain out west.
Posted by: JSF | March 3, 2007 9:41 PM
Yo we should sign an Argentine playmaker to play in Freddy's position on the U-20 National team. That would be awesome.
Posted by: Logan Circle | March 4, 2007 2:46 AM
That would also be quite a trick...
Posted by: seahawkdad | March 4, 2007 7:37 AM
Does anyone know if these matches will be televised?
Posted by: Paul | March 4, 2007 12:13 PM
Paul: I believe the USA games will be on FSC. I know they televised it last time, and I know they televised the Concacaf qualifiers, so I am confident that they will be televising the games.
Posted by: Kinney | March 4, 2007 2:06 PM
it's just like the 2002 World Cup draw for the U.S., only replacing Portugal with a former Portugese colony. maybe the U-20s can surprise the group favorite the way O'Brien & co. did 5 years ago.
Posted by: jamie | March 4, 2007 2:07 PM
I will be in Canada during this time (Victoria). I plan to go to a couple at least. It will be loads of fun.
Posted by: Garret | March 4, 2007 5:38 PM
I need my fix.... more news... what new players? What are they doing in practice? It would be great to hear more details about how they train.
Posted by: RB | March 4, 2007 10:21 PM
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Final group standings prediction:
1. Brazil
2. U.S.
3. Poland
4. South Korea
US beats S. Korea 2-0 and Poland 2-1, loses to Brazil 3-0.
Then again, I thought Real Salt Lake would win MLS Front Office of the Year...