American Team wants to Break every Record
Having the amazing record of being the only squad to qualify for all eleven instalments of the FIFA U-17 World Championship, John Hackworth's American team will look forward to make an impressive showing in the upcoming tournament in Peru.
In addition to prestige, the US's proud record of reaching every finals since the inaugural event in China back in 1985 also brings a degree of pressure to each new generation of American juniors and coaches.
"The streak is alive, and thank goodness for that!" proclaimed relieved head coach John Hackworth after his youngsters raced to the top of CONCACAF qualifying group A in Costa Rica last April with a crucial 2-1 win over the hosts in hostile territory on the final matchday.
Over the course of their three qualifying matches (Cuba, El Salvador and Costa Rica), the team played a coherent brand of team football that saw them through some tricky tests. Omar Gonzalez stepped up to be the hero, scoring a crucial goal in only his first start in the decisive game with the Ticos. And expected to help fill the sizable shoes of Freddy Adu, Jonathan Spector and Eddie Gaven - US standouts from the previous U-17 finals in Finland two years ago - the pressure will be on the towering young Texan midfielder to pick up where he left off in qualifying and make an impression in the finals.
Much will also be expected of talented technicians Nikolas Besagno, Ryan Soroka and Preston Zimmerman - all of whom put in impressive performances in Costa Rica.
The Americans will also welcome back much-heralded forward Quavas Kirk, who missed out on the qualifying tournament after suffering a broken foot on the eve of the competition.
In addition to prestige, the US's proud record of reaching every finals since the inaugural event in China back in 1985 also brings a degree of pressure to each new generation of American juniors and coaches.
"The streak is alive, and thank goodness for that!" proclaimed relieved head coach John Hackworth after his youngsters raced to the top of CONCACAF qualifying group A in Costa Rica last April with a crucial 2-1 win over the hosts in hostile territory on the final matchday.
Over the course of their three qualifying matches (Cuba, El Salvador and Costa Rica), the team played a coherent brand of team football that saw them through some tricky tests. Omar Gonzalez stepped up to be the hero, scoring a crucial goal in only his first start in the decisive game with the Ticos. And expected to help fill the sizable shoes of Freddy Adu, Jonathan Spector and Eddie Gaven - US standouts from the previous U-17 finals in Finland two years ago - the pressure will be on the towering young Texan midfielder to pick up where he left off in qualifying and make an impression in the finals.
Much will also be expected of talented technicians Nikolas Besagno, Ryan Soroka and Preston Zimmerman - all of whom put in impressive performances in Costa Rica.
The Americans will also welcome back much-heralded forward Quavas Kirk, who missed out on the qualifying tournament after suffering a broken foot on the eve of the competition.
posted by World Cup Center at 7:11 PM
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