The same way the U20 World Cup generated some analysis, the failure of the U17 deserves even more talk. First of all, being eliminated in group that had Mexico, Switzerland and Japan is a shame. There is simply no excuse.

This pathetic elimination was so bad that no projections for the future can be made.

Click to continue reading...

After a tough start against Spain the United States' U17 side was able to stack up 1 0 wins against Malawi and the United Arab Emirates. The United States will advance after securing second place in their group. A skillful side that is able to move the ball around and keep possession, the United States kids have drawn criticism from some for lacking a clinical finishing edge, but they seem to excel at moving the ball around (something we haven't been able to say about many US sides).

Click to continue reading...

All of the American's matches in the U-17 world cup will be televised here in the States:

-Mon Oct 26
Spain v USA 2pm ET on ESPNU & Galavision
-Thu Oct 29
USA v Malawi 11am ET on ESPNU
-Sun Nov 1
USA v UAE 10am ET on ESPNU

These are all available on ESPN360 as well.

Click to continue reading...

Soccer by Ives is reporting that Luis Gil's move to Arsenal has not been completed. Gil has received interest from other European clubs and is looking to turn his trip to the U-17 World Cup into a new contract.

Click to continue reading...

The U.S. will open Group E play in Kano, Nigeria against Spain on Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET). The team will stay at Sani Abacha Stadium to play Malawi on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (11 a.m. ET) before moving to Ijebu-Ode and Gateway International Stadium to finish the first round against United Arab Emirates on Nov.

Click to continue reading...

GOALKEEPERS (4): Keith Cardona (New Red Bulls Academy; Glen Rock, N.J.), Earl Edwards (Nomads SC; San Diego, Calif.), Fernando Piña (Houston Dynamo Academy; Houston, Texas), Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier; Seattle, Wash.)
DEFENDERS (14): Michael Ambrose (Texas Fire; El Paso, Texas), Andrew Chang (Sockers FC; Highland Park, Ill.

Click to continue reading...

Soccernet is reporting that US u17 starlets Joseph Gyau and Charles Renken have signed contracts with German Club 1899 Hoffenheim. The two youngsters, who are generally considered the top two prospects in the u17 squad, will split time between Hoffenheim and the Vancouver Whitecaps youth academy for the next year, before a full time move to Germany.

Click to continue reading...

Young Guns (a blog dedicated to Arsenal's reserve and youth teams...no, it doesn't have anything to do with either of the movies...yes, I'm just as disappointed as you.) is reporting that US under 17 standout Luis Gil is heading to Arsenal. Is this true? Who knows, but we'll be sure to keep you updated.

Click to continue reading...

Something to read while you consider the tragic case of the last hooligan (who appears to live in Canada)... The truth about Gisele and Jose (Dirty Tackle) Is Berba the new Seba? (EPL Offside) Rafa is ruining Ryan (SoccerLens) Danielle Lloyd crosses the North London divide (ONTD Football) Great start for the Bebê Seleção (Brazil World Cup Blog)* Killing time outside [. Click to continue reading...

Rebecca Jane crosses
Originally uploaded by Mattfinish Photographic El mundial femenil sub-17 Nueva Zealanda 2008
Esta fotografía es del mundial femenil, ella es Rebecca Jane
FIFA World Cup U-17 ladies. Group stage (England 3 Brazil 0), Westpac Stadium, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand. Click to continue reading...

So. By now you have to have heard at least SOME of the hubbub about Mr. Charles Renken, the "Next Freddy Adu" or the "Next Big Thing for US Soccer" blah blah blah.  While I dislike throwing these kinds of comparisons around (the boy is only 14) there's no doubt that Renken has the potential [...] Click to continue reading...

The opening match match of the 3rd ASEAN U-17 Football Championship in Pnom Penh, Cambodia, was postponed from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning due to heavy rain. Thousands of fans in raincoats stayed in the Olympic Stadium, until the decision to delay the game between Cambodia and neighbouring Thailand was announced. "I spent one dollar to buy a ticket but it was very sad because the match Click to continue reading...

World football body FIFA has announced that over 600,000 tickets have already been sold for the U-17 World Cup being played in South Korea during 8 August - 9 September. Local organisers are hoping to beat China's record total attendance of 735,000 for the competition which was set on its debut as an U-16 tournament in 1985. Click to continue reading...

Japan won the Toyota International Youth Football Championship for U-17 youths played in Japan, beating the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in the final. Earlier Japan thrashed the USA 3-1 in Group A while UAE beat South Korea 3-0 in Group B on the second day of the tournament. Australia's Joeys reportedly finished fifth. Click to continue reading...

Travel-weary Vision Asia director, Brendan Menton, brightened up when asked about the Vision India's Manipur project by Rajeeb Mukherjee of the Hindustan Times. Showing photographs of football in Manipur on his laptop, the former Ireland Football Association Secretary said he would rate it among the best Vision Asia projects. "It would have been in the top three, with the first two being in China Click to continue reading...