The US Under-17s are out of the Fifa U-17 World Cup after a tough loss to Italy.  I saw less of their World Cup play than I wanted, but a few thoughts remain hard to shake.

Maturity is over-rated at least in soccer.  The game against the UAE reminded me most why watching the occasional youth game is so refreshing: even in a pressure situation the 'kids' tend to play with an offense-first mindset and a penchant for flair that will very likely (and sadly) be taught out of them in the pro ranks.

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Will we see more of Conor Casey with the US National Team? (Getty Images)

Good evening folks, I hope everyone is having a good day. Now that we are in the evening it is time once again for some links and thoughts. I only have two items tonight and really only one link.

My first thought of the night centers around the US Men's National team and their upcoming friendlies this month in Europe.

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The United States exited the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the knockout stage, losing 2-1 to Italy at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Nigeria. In the 18th-minute, Jack McInerney's penalty attempt was saved by Italy keeper Francesco Bardi. This was Bardi's first game in the tournament, starting in place of injured keeper Mattia Perin. Click to continue reading...

After finishing second in Group E at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the U.S. continues its run in the Round of 16 when they face Italy on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. local time (9 a.m. CT). Despite an opening loss to eventual group winner Spain, the Americans bounced back for key wins against Malawi and United Arab Emirates to earn six points and a chance to play against the Group F winners.

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After finishing second in Group E at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the U.S. continues its run in the Round of 16 when they face Italy on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. local time (9 a.m. CT). Despite an opening loss to eventual group winner Spain, the Americans bounced back for key wins against Malawi and United Arab Emirates to earn six points and a chance to play against the Group F winners.

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Kudos are clearly warranted for Clint Dempsey as he hits his second goal in as many weeks for Fulham FC.     While his first professional coach and likely mentor, ex-Liverpool great Steve Nicol, might not immediately love that Clint helped Fulham take down Liverpool, it was clearly a significant achievement following a goal the prior week against wanna-be powerhouse Manchester City.

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Let's begin today's stroll about the intarwebs in the land of the vikings... I'm sure everybody has read all the Brit-hype and seen all the mobile phone videos of Brad Guzan walking on water, and that's all well and good--he's the #2 behind Timmy... Click to continue reading...

By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Nov 2, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- With World Cup qualification in the books, the US National Team has the next seven months to prepare for South Africa. Achieving success at the World Cup comes through a combination of hard work and luck. In other words, things have to fall into place at exactly the right time to make the difference between getting bounced in the first round or making. Click to continue reading...

The Under-17 United States National Team advanced to the knockout stage of the U-17 World Cup with a 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates. Jack McInerney put in a rebound in the 35th-minute for the win. "We are really pleased with today's performance," US coach Wilmer Cabrera said. "I want to congratulate UAE, who have a very good team and were very competitive. Click to continue reading...

A first half goal by Jack McInerney, in the 35th minute, give the US the win over the United Arab Emirates and into the 2nd round. More to follow.

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A first half goal by Jack McInerney, in the 35th minute, give the US the win over the United Arab Emirates and into the 2nd round. More to follow.

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US Women's National Team and Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach is the only American nominated for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Award. Freedom teammate Sonia Bompastor is also on the list of ten nominees. There are 23 nominees on the Men's side, with both lists reduced to five in early December. Click to continue reading...

The United States Women's National Team beat Germany 1-0 at Impuls Arena in Augsburg, Germany. Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach got the game's only goal in the 35th-minute, heading in a cross from Yael Averbuch. Hope Solo picked up the shutout for the United States with one save. Click to continue reading...

The United States bounced back from their opening game loss, beating Malawi 1-0 on Thursday at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Nigeria. In a game dominated by the USA, it would take 54 minutes for them to get a goal. Alex Shinsky put a rebound through the legs of Malawi keeper Cuthbert Seengwa for the game winner. Click to continue reading...

Go take a trip down memory lane and see how many of these USA jerseys you remember with fondness (superheroes! Speed Racer! shame about the centered logo)... nausea (to be fair, the 90's boasted some hideous jerseys, but still)... or pain (ugh,... Click to continue reading...

Spain scored two short-handed goals to come back and win in Group E on Monday. With just over a minute played, Spain defender Sergi Gomez was sent off. The United States responded with Jack McInerney's goal in the fourth-minute, but that would be it for the US offense. Borja equalized for Spain in the 22nd and Pablo Sarabia scored what would be the winner in the 30th-minute. Click to continue reading...

By Clemente Lisi -- EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Oct 26th, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Giants Stadium has hosted many important international soccer games – from high-caliber friendlies to the 1994 World Cup - over the past 30 years. The legendary stadium has also hosted some very important Men's and Women's National Team games over the past three decades. Click to continue reading...

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team is now in Germany for a friendly against defending FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro champion Germany on Oct. 29 at the Impuls Arena in Augsburg, Germany. Â Kick off at 6 p.m. local (1 p.m. ET). Unfortunately, there is no television or internet streaming coverage of the [. Click to continue reading...

The United States will play Slovakia on November 14th in Bratislava, the US Soccer Federation announced on Monday. Details for the game will be released at a later date. "We are very pleased about the opportunity to face another quality opponent on European soil," US coach Bob Bradley said. "Slovakia finished on top of a very competitive group in UEFA qualifying, and has demonstrated their capabilities throughout the process. Click to continue reading...

From Goal.com Noah Davis breaks down the action for the U-17 USA team as the United States enters the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

For Wilmer Cabrera's talented side, the tournament represents a chance to show the world how far the Stars and Stripes have come as a soccer-playing nation.

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The US national team is already headed to Denmark in November and could possibly play another World Cup qualified side a few days later. While the US hasn't announced it's second friendly for November, reports out of Europe suggest that the Americans will take on Slovakia on Nov. 14.

Slovakia qualified for the World Cup after topping a qualifying group that included Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Poland.

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By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Oct 23, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- It was twenty years ago next month that a young US team traveled to Trinidad & Tobago and earned an improbable berth to the 1990 World Cup. Twenty years later, wining that game is considered the starting point for the new era of American soccer. Click to continue reading...

Hyperbole to be sure, but still...ouch! You'd be forgiven for being miserable if you were a USA and DC United fan poking about in assorted RSS streams and illegal internet feeds yesterday. To recap... Snatched Away! In simultaneous games, United... Click to continue reading...

Its a pretty full night here at WVHooligan as far as the links and thoughts go. I have a couple stories that kind of make my head spin, a couple surrounding the US national team and a brief discussion on a rule that could really help some young players out with the NCAA.

First up is a post I saw earlier today that I felt needed to be held off until today.

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CHICAGO (Oct. 19, 2009) U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera has announced the final 21 players who will represent the United States in the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. A combination of 17 players born in 1992 and four born in 1993 have arrived in Nigeria in advance of the team's first match.

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CHICAGO (Oct. 19, 2009) U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera has announced the final 21 players who will represent the United States in the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. A combination of 17 players born in 1992 and four born in 1993 have arrived in Nigeria in advance of the team's first match.

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United States National Team and Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair his left patellar tendon. The operation was successful, with Milan putting his recovery time at six months. Click to continue reading...

By Graig Carbino - ALBANY, NY (Oct 21, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Landon Donovan has done it again. Yesterday it was announced that the LA Galaxy midfielder had won the 2009 Honda Player of the Year Award. This is Donovan's sixth time capturing the title of "best US National Soccer Team player." He took home the award three times running from 2002 through 2004 and has just completed the triple again from 2007 to Tuesdays ceremony. Click to continue reading...

FC Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones is now officially eligible to represent the United States. The 27-year-old German-born Jones's father is American, with Jones opting to switch his international registration under a revamped FIFA policy. FIFA officially approved the move on Tuesday, after Jones announced his intentions on June 12th. Click to continue reading...

United States National Team midfielder Landon Donovan won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award on Wednesday. Donovan was also named the Honda Player of the Decade, winning six of the nine awards available in the 2000's. Donovan was the youngest award winner when he won in 2002, and has twice won the award three years in a row. Click to continue reading...

United States and Watford defender Jay DeMerit underwent cornea replacement surgery on Saturday. He is expected to need four to eight weeks of recovery. United States and Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu is scheduled for knee surgery on Wednesday. Onyewu ruptured his patellar tendon during last Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica. Click to continue reading...

I know Charlie Davies. Or at least I feel like I do. Chances are if you are a fan of the beautiful game and are on Twitter, you know @CharlieDavies9 too. We've helped him pick out goal celebrations. We followed...

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Emile Heskey is the latest schoolboy to offend the headmaster. [Indy] Charlie Davies gets out of the ICU. [Boston Herald] What to wear when you're watching Liverpool v. Manchester United this weekend. [Soccerprint] ... Click to continue reading...

Emile Heskey is the latest schoolboy to offend the headmaster. [Indy] Charlie Davies gets out of the ICU. [Boston Herald] What to wear when you're watching Liverpool v. Manchester United this weekend. [Soccerprint] ... Click to continue reading...

Emile Heskey is the latest schoolboy to offend the headmaster. [Indy] Charlie Davies gets out of the ICU. [Boston Herald] What to wear when you're watching Liverpool v. Manchester United this weekend. [Soccerprint] ... Click to continue reading...