When the US Under-20's set sail for this summer's World Cup, it did so with a lot of the confidence and pride that usually goes hand in hand with Americans sports. In weathering through some rough patches, the team coached by Dutch tactician Thomas Rongen showed its heart, and a few stellar showings proved to the world that the lesser known players stateside had the mettle to compete.

Although a 12-goal and five-game foray eventually ran out of steam "in the Alps", there is little doubt that player stocks have dramatically increased as the world's attention turns to the college boys and pros on this side of the pond. What did we learn about the stars and stripes alike, and what challenges await their feet as the summer rolls along?

A tale of two players: Freddy Adu & Josmer Altidore
It might seem anti-climactic to break from the gates with the meat of the dish, to serve the whole burrito before the endless rounds of free nachos and filling drinks even makes it to the table, but this is one distraction that I can't very much have hanging overhead.

What we got with this pair surely befits much of the hype, and likely uncorked a few bottles of champagne at the Nike and adidas headquarters, respectively. Between the two young attackers, seven goals crossed into opposition nets, and a new style of American soccer was finally, rhythmically brought to motion with a technique that confounded scouts and fans alike.

Adu waltzed past defenders like no passport-holding US citizen had done prior, and dare I say that the oxymoron of "American striker" might finally have met its match in a young Bull.

With Adu, the question of technical ability has been asked unnecessarily over the past few years, to the point eroding a purpose in debate. Quite bluntly, the kid has a sublime talent on the ball, and whether he could dance around the field like a Samba star was never a relevant complaint to be levied. His hat trick against Poland showcased precisely the player that so many have taken for granted over his long, but still young career. That being said, some of the building blocks making up his star have not and will not change for the better.

Barring joining an elite club whose members include all the cyclists and professional wrestlers of the world (and a certain San Francisco Giant with a first name of Barry), Freddy isn't going to be adding inches or pounds at any useful rate. As much as ball skills and creativity define playing ability, physique is part and parcel with viability at the highest level of the sport.

In the two years since headlining a failed foray into this very same tournament in Holland, Adu has found his feet in dealing with players seemingly twice his size at this age group, but still continues to struggle for consistency when opponents boast years of experience and regiments gifting adult frames. It's ironic that a player who dominated the younger age groups of youth soccer largely because of his size and speed is now struggling against the very same current.

On the other hand, in Altidore there is a player still only 17, whose 6'2" build makes him stand out like the New York skyline on any team photo. In the five games of the US run at U-20 World Cup 2007, he coolly held the striking role on his own, and used his strength and positioning to trouble defenders and pounce on his prey of loose balls. He isn't gifted with lightning pace or technique for 50 stepover sequences, but he has the composure, build and striker's instinct to bloom at every level.

The boy called Jozy is VfB Stuttgart's Mario Gomez meets PSV's Jefferson Farfán, and yet the pair have a combined 10 years on the young Red Bull hit man.

While it seems inevitable that both will manifest destiny in Europe's spotlight, and might be very cliché to say but, size does matter in the modern game. For Altidore, the road is already paved with plenty of demand, while Freddy might be in for some unwanted dancing in the shop window before a future suitor becomes convinced that they're not just buying a lot of shirts and free kicks.

No axe to grind with the steel itself: Michael Bradley & Danny Szetela
Now that you're no longer skimming to find Freddy, it's time for the oft-forgotten 20 others than made up this team.

It's shocking to read and digest so much ignorant complaint lodged against Bradley - whether at NY, where ties to nepotism were called into question, to the present, in which he's made out to be imprecise and limited even for a team to which he largely brought substance.

Like Altidore, his more than 6' frame and "beyond his years" presence combine to make him very viable in the long-run. He still has the habit, as most 19-year olds in the game, of being overly eager, at times letting emotions boil over that should stay under the lid of the pot (cue footage of him gesturing taunts of 2-1 to his Uruguayan sparring partners in the post-match brawl). Still a teenager, he's more than afforded rawness and rough edges, but make no mistake about it: he is precocious and the most complete player of the whole lot.

Where Michael was the fulcrum of the engine, and maybe even the spirit of the team, Columbus Crew's Danny Szetela became the perfectly fitting cog that allowed the wheel to spin. Aside from a trio of goals himself, the in-the-doghouse MLS-er added bite and bravado to catch opponents off guard.

Constantly, the young pit bull tracked back to help Bradley break up play, and then darted forward in support of attack. The two formed a sturdy partnership that kept to defensive task, held the ball and positioning well, and even overpowered the idea that Adu was even coupled to midfield. It might have been industrial in approach, but fouls are an effective tool of the game, and blending the guile of experience and youthful energy made it seem like an even more adult tandem than the one brought to the Copa America for the senior team.

Paul Bosvelt's departure has left a gaping hole in the Heerenveen middle, which Bradley will be all too eager to fill. He's used his summer very well to gain invaluable confidence and experience, and could well see himself reaping rewards later.

Szetela's hot-cold Crew career could soon head for divorce, with the midfielder likely to exploit his Polish roots and end-of-contract status for an upgrade in play overseas. Who knows? Maybe the two will get a chance to rediscover this chemistry in years to come for Bradley senior's side.

Match-made in heaven and hell: Nathan Sturgis, Julian Valentin, Ofori Sarkodie & Tim Ward

While defensive structure was an Achilles heel of the team, it shouldn't all be pinned on the shoulders of former Ajax Orlando stopper Nate Sturgis, who was all too solid in holding the line with three different partners at the back.

In Sturgis, Rongen found a positionally-solid back with enough presence of mind to stay calm under pressure. But, while years of Ajax-modeled training might have given the young central defender a taste for passing, his long-ranged clearances often created unneeded turnovers, while Route-1 soccer subverted the strength of midfield and genius of the aerially inept and vertically challenged Adu. When he was on against Brazil, he shined. His was a tournament performance perhaps better defined by his partner in the middle than by his own product.

The partner of choice seems to have been Julian Valentin, who certainly can't be faulted for lack of effort. The Wake Forest defender even got a vital touch against Uruguay to set Bradley up for the game winner. It's not up to him whether of not 'Valentin' is etched on Rongen's team-sheet, but it was in his lack of pace and difficulty with the quick thinking required against technical opponents that he fell short. It was hardly a horror show, but put aside the strength and do-good attitude, and your left with one of this very good team's weaker links.

On the other hand, Ofori Sarkodie was a breath of fresh air against Brazil, adding just the right athletic spice and maneuverability to keep players like Jo and Alexandre Pato at bay. He might not have been the muscle that is Jules, but he brought the right blend of speed and pace to act as a marking counter to Sturgis' positioning and line-leadership style. It would've been very interesting to see how he would've faired against other opposition, but that's all just wishful thinking right now.

Last and maybe least, another Crew member, Tim Ward, brought versatility - but along with it, the consistency of corroding in every position to which he was directed. Though he played his socks off, his relationship with defense at this level gelled about as harmoniously as oil and water, Celtic and Rangers, Bush and Michael Moore. He brought work-rate and professional experience, but even Rongen realized early on that there were stronger options.

With the recent Sturgis transplant to the Mormon-stronghold of Salt Lake City, rumors have been abuzz that a move abroad is impending. He's got the proper read of the game and ability, but at 5'10" and only 150 pounds, has his work cut out for him should any options overseas ever materialize. Build alone leaves of taste doubt on any notions of immediate departure.

On the flip side, Ward has a hopeful MLS career to concentrate on, while the other college duo still have time to scout out a good major and dorm party from time to time. No surprises here.

Wallace & Gromit... erm, Rogers

These were, individually, two of the best athletes of the tournament, but a defensively capable tandem never really clicked going forward like the one that fluidly traded places on the right. In swashbuckling with sprints and upper-body strength, much of the extra work ethic was brought about by slightly clumsy direct soccer that shined as being basic, but stuttered to produce delicacy or nuance.

Wallace exhausted even couch-bound me with his tireless and selfless running in every game. Rarely did he leave anything to be defensively desired, and his tackling and marking were constantly spot on. In many respects, Anthony was an unsung rock in a team that shined because of his industry.

Likewise, Robbie Rogers darted down the line with an endless number of runs and attempts to slalom around fullbacks, while refusing to give up on his defensive responsibility. The former Young Heerenveen attacker-turned-homesick Columbus mallrat was the most omnipresent player on the field in every game, but overused the same simple trick and approach to the point of predictability. Opposition fullbacks could've read his pass-to-self move-around-the-outside dash in every language, and while it occasionally sowed attacking seeds, rarely did it translate into end product.

The Crew-boy already had his stint in Europe, and it's hard to fault someone for living in a lifestyle in which they're comfortable. On the other hand, I can't help be wonder how a few years in Holland would've added to his creative process and smoothed the edges of a very promising game. An FC Dallas draftee, Wallace has the right club and manager to give him space and time to develop in Steve Morrow.

US soccer's answer to Beniffer & Branjelina... Belzzo?

UCLA will be proud to have cultured yet another set of talented young Americans in Sal Zizzo and Tony Beltran. The two Bruins gave a soccer-playing dimension to wing play that had been lacking two years ago, as they overlapped and built an instinctive relationship in every task.

While Beltran remains a recent convert to the fullback role, his on-the-ball ability and understanding for bringing building play out of defense has been paramount to none. He seemed to tire out far too easily as the tournament progressed, but that's just a token of play at this level. With professional fitness training instead of a frat guy's college schedule, he could inch over that athletic barrier needed of the professional level. As a nation, the US has tended to be blessed by physical specimens, but it was refreshing to for once see a "Giovanni Van Bronckhorst sorta-kinda-maybe he isn't but, he can play there so well" kind of ball-savvy fullback be born.

While Beltran was rocking on his marking duties, Sal was putting on a show for the public with his on-a-dime turns to beat defenders. Against South Korea, he was one of the few that played outstanding, and followed it up with a sublime performance against Poland, then some iron-clad defending against Brazil. He is still yet to start his junior year as a Bruin, with already 14 assists and eight goals banked in his NCAA account.

With Sal(vatore) etched onto an Italian passport, there is little use in denying that European clubs will be courting the attacker, while his Bruin teammate might yet also entice clubs abroad with a free transfer fee that comes part and parcel with those departing directly from school.

In good hands: Chris Seitz & Brian Perk

Chris Seitz made some game defining moments all throughout the tournament, whether coming up with some gifted reaction saves to deny a goal-hungry Brazil or unfortunately fumbling a wet ball on artificial turf to let Rubin Okotie in on goal against Austria - but he really came to show his guts and mettle in the most positive of lights. In Seitz, the US had a rock that would've unseated most other keepers in the competition.

The former Maryland player failed to post a shutout in five games, but damn well recovered from some defensive mistakes by using leg, limb and face to keep the ball out. Without demeaning the career of a great, it seemed like Brad Friedel version 2.0 beta had landed, and the quality is unmistakable.

Take nothing away from Brian Perk, though. For a 17-year old, eight inches shorter than the starter, he came in and played fantastically against Uruguay. It's just an impossible ask to expect the same presence and command to come on moment's notice, if at all.

While both stoppers found fake-grass to be deceiving, they dealt with knocks and defensive holes to continue in the tradition of fine US keeping. Maybe it's the double-time of baseball and football at a young age, or maybe there's something in the water stateside, but we're not drying up with depth in goal anytime soon. With Real Salt Lake's keeper situation yet to be firmly put to rest, Seitz has ample opportunity to grab, while Perk's career as a Bruin is still young and worthwhile.

Dax McCarty vs. himself

Every team has a whipping boy, and by all means, Dax was it. He went from being a headliner to falling out of Rongen's favor, back to squad utility man. While the Ajax Orlando product has many attacking elements at his disposal, he was used primarily as a defensive sub for Altidore (twice), Zizzo and Rogers when results were usually within grasp and time was winding down.

It's both his strength and curse to be so versatile, and maybe even fitting to label him a jack of all trades, master of none. In many respects, he reminds me a bit of Owen Hargreaves in his tenacity and athleticism coupled to an underrated cache of ball skills.

Under the guidance of Steve Morrow at FC Dallas, Dax is starting to break through as an admitted two-way midfielder, something that can only bode well for depth in that department years into the future. While some might be quick to dismiss him, I remain shackled to an impervious belief that this former Ajax Orlando starlet is the real deal. Given some more patience on the ball and positional awareness, he'll be the MLS star that his prospect is calling for.

And then: Ferrari, Zimmerman, Akpan, and Iggy

What this team saw of Gabriel Ferrari was a potentially powerful, but unpolished young striker that seemed to lack the confidence of those around him. He's in a good situation at Sampdoria, with a striking situation still shrouded in uncertainty thanks to cocaine, corruption, and Chinese auctions; hopefully, he can take advantage to stake a claim.

It's really a damn shame that Canada never bore fruit for Preston Zimmerman, as the HSV II striker was left to twiddle his thumbs for rot on the bench. Anyone watching the 2005 Under-17 World Cup in Peru will remember Zimmerman as an awkward, but acutely clinical goal-scorer that seemed oh so natural. After some struggles with Hamburg, he had finally broken through to score a series of goals for the Regionalliga outfit in the tail-end of the last season. I can't help but wonder how he would've finished off that gilt-edged chance against Austria that Ferrari headed wide.

Andre Akpan was brought into the fray for his physique, but following Altidore is always a big ask - not unlike asking a band to follow Pearl Jam at a Seattle grunge hall. He pressured to force a goal against Uruguay, and kept on the bit with solid but unspectacular movement. The upcoming year will only be his sophomore season in the Crimson of Harvard, so the future looks promising for the 6' (well, maybe 5'5" if you cut off the fuzz-ball) forward.

In Amaechi Igwe, Rongen had an able defender, but one that simply didn't get enough time in the hot water to cause ripples of any variety.