U-20 Yanks vs Korea Recap

Yesterday the U-20 World Cup run for the young yanks got off to a very unassuming start. The red white and blue started fast off of a beautiful cross and head from Danny Szetela (Everton and now I am hearing Galatasary hopeful). Too soon after, the Koreans equalized as Chris Seitz was left out to dry and could not get across the goal mouth fast enough to make the save.

The Americans continues to heap the pressure on in the second half, but the lack of a final touch was not their all day. Freddy Adu made a nice run into the area setting up a couple teammates, but the winning finish was not there. The Americans currently sit tied for second with the Koreans, two points shy of Poland.

The three stars of the game in my estimation were Seitz, Szetela, and Adu. Seitz controlled the game well from the back and made some very nice saves. Besides the goal, Szetela was the ball winning, gritty force the US needed in the middle. Adu was the most dangerous player, especially in the second half, but just did not see enough on the ball to create more chances. This is his fault, his teammates, and Rongen for playing Adu so high up.

The refs also played a large role in the result, as they practically prevented us from having any physical presence, while the Korean defenders were allowed to mug Jozy Altidore all day. More and more I am noticing both at an MLS level and a Youth National Team level that Jozy Altidore is being elevated to a Shaq O’neal type status with refs. Just because of his monstrously imposing frame, defenders get away with a lot more on him then they would with anyone else. The play at the end of the game was a prime example of this, where Altidore was taken down near the area on a long ball he worked his butt off to win. He was repaid with a foul call on him, and a bad tasting draw.

Now the focus turns to Poland who in their first match pulled off the upset over Brazil with ten men for most of the day. I think as fans we can expect at least a slight let down, but definitely a raised level of attack and final touch from the Americans, with hopefully a starting lineup including young Sampdoria hit man Gabe Ferrari and increased flank play from Anthony Wallace.

The chance to advance out of the group is still very possible, but anything less than three points against Poland will leave the boys in a very tough position against Brazil on the final day of group play.