Photo by ISIPhotos.com

American soccer fans always love a chance to glimpse the future of the U.S. national team, and this weekend will offer at least a few looks at some exciting prospects who could one day play a role on the senior national team.

The U.S.

Last week on the blog we mentioned the U-17s trip to Spain to participate in the AGS Cup. The team earned two victories and two ties to finish in second place. The team started off the tournament with a 1-1 tie against Mexico with a goal from Chris Lema (New York Red Bulls) before playing the United Arab Emirates to the same scoreline, courtesy of an Herber Mejia-Flores (McLean Youth Soccer) goal.

When the U.S. Under-15 boy's national team convened a camp at Home Depot Center on Sunday, there was one familiar name among the group.

Jonathan Klinsmann. Yes, it's Jurgen's son.

The younger Klinsmann is a goalkeeper in the 36-player camp, a week-long event U.S.

US Soccer has released their evaluations of the US Soccer Development Academy clubs for the 2010-2011 season and one MLS club was rated as the top club in the country out of the 78 clubs that participated.

My pal Daniel over at BigDSoccer pulled this all together earlier and found out that FC Dallas had the top rated academy in the country during the 2010-11 season.

The University of Maryland's perfect start is a thing of the past.

Using a defense-first mentality, Seton Hall held the nation's No. 1 team (Fox Soccer/SBI) to a 0-0 draw in New Jersey Tuesday night.

Maryland outshot Seton Hall 23-6 and had a 13-0 edge in corner kicks, but the Terrapins (7-0-1) couldn't break through and were held to less than two goals for the first time all season.

Since 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has strived to impact the Men's National Team – never has the program's influence been more felt than the four-day camp leading into Wednesday's match against rival Mexico. The Academy is represented both on the field, with two former players participating in the camp, and on the sidelines, where Klinsmann's staff has a wealth of experience at the elite youth level.

Since 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has strived to impact the Men's National Team – never has the program's influence been more felt than the four-day camp leading into Wednesday's match against rival Mexico. The Academy is represented both on the field, with two former players participating in the camp, and on the sidelines, where Klinsmann's staff has a wealth of experience at the elite youth level.

Photo by John Dorton/ISIphotos.com

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado and Real Salt Lake attacker Luis Gil are among the 18 players chosen to represent the United States Under-18 national team in the Milk Cup later this month in Northern Ireland.

Chicago Fire midfielder Victor Pineda and Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin will also represent the United States, along with internationally based goalkeeper Cody Cropper, defender Juan Pablo Ocegueda, midfielder Will Packwood and forward Jerome Kiesewetter.

Professionals and Development Academy players make up Mike Matkovich's United States Under-18 roster for next week's trip to Lisbon, Portugal.

The U-18s will face the Netherlands, Portugal and Finland on May 25, 26 and 28, respectively, in the Lisbon International Tournament.

U-15/16 Performer of the Week: Diego Fagundez – Midfielder, New England Revolution
Midfielder Fagundez has been influential in leading the Revolution to an early second-place standing in the Northeast Division. He has scored 11 goals this season in 11 Academy games played, including two with the U-17/18 team, while also participating in New England Revolution reserve games.

U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team head coach Mike Matkovich has named 24 players who will train in Portland, Ore., from April 16-24, on the Nike Campus. The training camp will feature friendlies against the Portland Timbers on April 19, and will finish with a pair of friendlies on Saturday, April 23, against the University of Portland and the University of Washington - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

PEAK PERFORMERS:
U-15/16 Performer of the Week: Joseph Julius – Forward, PA Classics
Julius started both games for PA Classics and scored a total of four goals to guide the team to a 1-0-1 record against the New York Red Bulls and Players Development Academy.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

The life of a professional soccer player can change in just a moment.

One well-timed pass or run can change a player's life.

While things are going to get most complicated for Zac MacGrath, who as a keeper has a history to overcome before he can prove that he's worth a first round pick and getting starts in 2011, General Managers around the league have the challenge of the internationals as well.

It seems that a few players are intriguing first round picks besides the stand GA guys.