The Daily Scoop

U-17 World Cup Glance

by Michele Tossani - August 17, 2007

Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey and Freddy Adu and are just some of today's leading US players who have starred at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and the latest edition is set to kick off on Saturday.

This year's tournament in South Korea should again provide a nice glimpse into where US Soccer's next crop of young talent is headed, and coach John Hackworth's 21-player squad will look to improve on quarterfinal finishes in 2003 and 2005.

The team arrived in South Korea on Tuesday to begin their final week of prep for the tourney in advance of Monday evening's match versus Tajikistan (6:45 am ET on ESPNU, FIFA.com).

The United States have qualified for every single FIFA U-17 World Cup since its start in 1985, a run of 12 tournament appearances.

Following the opening match against Tajikistan in Changwon, the US stays to faces Tunisia on August 23rd and finally moves to Cheonan to take on Belgium to close out Group E play on August 26th.

Observers have tipped Nimo to star in South Korea. (photo: FIFA)

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Head coach Hackworth has been keen to see how far his talented side can go, keeping them busy in the lead-up to the tournament. The U-17's defeated the likes of Honduras and New Zealand, while bowing to Nigeria and Japan in friendlies following the qualification, which was clinched in May.

The US beat Germany 3-0 in the final warm-up for both teams before departing for South Korea. However, while they have shown themselves to be as talented as many youth teams, their tendency is to suffer from lapses in concentration. At times, the US is capable of overrunning teams with an attacking style of soccer that is distinctly it's own brand.

Hackworth's bunch has plenty rising stars to exhibit. In goal, Zac MacMath presents a huge obstacle for the opposition. He and back-up Josh Lambo are two very good young goalkeepers, so it remains to be seen who Hackworth will name as his starter.

In Dan Wenzel, the US has an extremely talented midfielder. Since becoming a starter, Wenzel has been the very heart and soul of the midfield with his passing.

Jared Jeffrey, who leads the team in international appearances with more than 40 over the past two years, is a proven leader. Abdusalam Ibrahim is the lone professional player on the team, having been drafted by FC Dallas in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.

Up front, Ellis McLoughlin and Alex Nimo will prove a handful. McLoughlin is the team's leading scorer over the past two years, with 14 goals. He's a natural forward with skills and presence to keep the opposition defenses honest. His movement is essential to create space for the teammates in the penalty area.

Rising star Nimo already knows where the goal is, with three strikes in five qualifying matches. The attacker made his way to the US from Liberia by way of Ghana, and is one of the best bets to be the side's breakout player.

The US has a team that is technically good, and tactically savvy with performances against Brazil and Germany that demonstrate what the group is capable of. Though the US made it through group play in 2003 and 2005, they faltered in the first knockout round and will hope to get over that hump.

"Our first aim, of course, is to progress through the group stages," said Hackworth. "Once we achieve that, we know that anything is possible."