U-17 MNT Training Photos

Along with 64 teams from the D.A., the U-17 Men's National Team is also in Greensboro, N.C. for the week to wrap up the last half of a camp that started last week in N.J. Head coach Wilmer Cabrera has brought 30 players along for the trip, four of whom are not part of the residency program in Florida but were invited after playing the U-17s as part of two Academy Select squads at the Spring Showcase. The team is continuing to stay sharp in their preparations for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, slated to be held in Nigeria from October 24-November 15.

The Field is Set!

It came down to the final group matches at the UEFA U-17 Championship, but the field of 24 teams for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup is now set. Italy, Spain and Turkey will join Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland in representing Europe. Here is what the complete field looks like:

Asia
Iran
Japan
Korea Republic
United Arab Emirates

Africa
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Gambia
Malawi

Europe
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey

Oceania
New Zealand

North America
USA
Costa Rica
Honduras
Mexico

South America
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Uruguay

Host
Nigeria

U-17 CONMEBOL Completed, UEFA Taking Shape

Colombia and Uruguay have clinched the third and fourth South American places at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup by virtue of a four-team playoff.

As Brazil defeated Argentina in the regional championship to take the crown, with both teams already assured of a place in Nigeria, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia battled it out for the two remaining places. Uruguay made quick work of the final phase, drawing Bolivia before defeating Colombia and Ecuador to earn its World Cup berth.

Meanwhile, Colombia (home country of U.S. U-17 head coach Wilmer Cabrera) took it to the wire by bouncing back from a loss to Uruguay to top Ecuador 3-0 and Bolivia 2-1 to secure its passage to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, host Germany claimed the first semifinal berth at the UEFA U-17 Championship, thereby clinching the region's first spot in Nigeria. By virtue of a 3-1 win against Turkey and a comprehensive 4-0 win against England, Germany took control of Group B at home. The Netherlands outlasted Turkey to book their place in Nigeria as one of six European teams and are now looking for a place in the semifinals from Group B.

In UEFA's Group A, Switzerland has locked up the top place in Group A, along with a semifinal berth and trip to the '09 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Italy, Spain and France are all looking to secure trips to Nigeria on Tuesday when group play wraps up.

UEFA is the last region to finish qualifying for the event, and when the final three teams are decided on Tuesday, the 24-team field will be complete.

CONEMBOL U-17 Qualifying Update

CONEMBOL is staging its U-17 qualifying tournament, with the top four teams set to head to Nigeria for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The way it looks so far: Argentina and Brazil are in. The two traditional powerhouses topped their respective groups to earn automatic berths to the World Cup, with Brazil winning Group A on nine points and Argentina leading Group B on 10 points.

Two more qualifying spots are up for grabs, and four teams are playing a round robin to determine who heads to Africa. Colombia, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador are vying for the ticket to the World Cup and with one game out of the way, Colombia leads the pack. Next up, Colombia faces Uruguay while Ecuador meets Bolivia. You can see these games live tonight on Gol TV (along with the rest of the tournament as it happens).

Brazil Makes it 16

Brazil became the 16th team to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup by defeating Bolivia 3-0 and winning Group A of the CONMEBOL qualifiers.

Goals from Wellington, Dodo and Romario paved the way to the CONMEBOL Championship, where they will face Group B winner Argentina on May 9.

Colombia and Bolivia meet on Friday, with both desperate to secure a place in Nigeria. Vying for second and third spot in Group B are Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile. The second and third-place teams will cross over to play the second and third place teams from Group A to determine the remaining two South American representatives. Venezuela is already eliminated.

Along with the two South American spots still open, the final six berths to Nigeria will be determined at the UEFA U-17 Championship from May 6-18.

South America Qualifying Still Rolling

Argentina grabbed the first CONMEBOL berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Uruguay that sealed the top spot in Group B. The winners of the two groups - A and B - earn automatic bids to Nigeria and will battle for regional surpremacy in a championship match

The second and third place teams in each group will play a playoff to determine the third and fourth U-17 World Cup qualifiers from South America.

Big Day Out!

After a nice long recovery session this morning, the U.S. U-17s had a well-deserved afternoon off and ventured across the border to spend the day at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. The boys took in one of the movie options:

-Fighter
-I Love You Man
-Fast and the Furious
-Obsessed

I Love You Man got good reviews, as did Fast and the Furious (some players list the first of that series as their favorite movie). Fighter and Obsessed had mixed reviews.

After the flick, the players had a few hours to walk around, do a little bit of shopping (lots of Nike gear from the Nike Store) and enjoy the sunshine of the outdoor mall. We don't get out much here in Tijuana!

Then it was a change of pace for dinner - the Cheesecake Factory. We have been eating a lot of the athlete staples, simple proteins and complex carbs (lots of chicken, pasta and rice) so it was a good chance to have something different.

Then it was back on the bus and back across the border (going out of San Diego was much easier than coming in!) to get to the team hotel in time for an early bedtime.

Tomorrow, it's back to the grind and back to the practice field to get ready for Costa Rica!

Costa Rica It Is

With Mexico's 1-0 victory against Costa Rica - via an own goal - this evening at Estadio Caliente, the hosts will take the top place in Group B. Costa Rica holds onto the second place, which means they will face the U.S. in the semifinals on Wednesday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m. PT. That game will be live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

Below, Perry Kitchen updates the big standings table outside the training room to reflect all nine group games....

Meet Perry Kitchen

U.S. U-17 MNT captain Perry Kitchen talked about his favorite memories and his friends and family in Indianapolis in the latest edition of "Get to Know Me"

Just to round out coverage from last night's win against Honduras, we bring you video of the team's reaction to winning Group A:

SportsCenter Top 10

We happened to catch ESPN Deportes this evening and were excited to see Jack McInerney's 36th minute goal vs. Honduras honored as one of the top plays of the day. Mixed in with everything from Serie A games to the NBA Playoffs to Major League Baseball, there was Jack.

Add it to his list of highlight reel goals we suppose..

Anyway, check it out by watching the whole game below!

Watch the Whole Game..... Here.

1st Half:



2nd Half:

That'll Do it For Group A

Honduras became the 12th team to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria from Oct. 24-Nov. 15. They joined the U.S. and Mexico in representing CONCACAF, with one bid from the region still outstanding - that will be either Guatemala or Costa Rica and we'll find out tomorrow (Sunday).

New Zealand won the Oceania bid on Friday afternoon. Nigeria has an automatic bid as host of the tournament, joining Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Malawi in representing Africa. Asia has also completed qualifying with Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan slated to represent the continent in Nigeria. The South American tournament is currently underway in Inquique, Chile.

Mexico Clinches

Mexico became the second team from CONCACAF to qualify for this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup, as they combined a 3-0 win today against Guatemala with a 7-0 win against T&T in the opener. El Tri will join the U.S. in representing the region in Nigeria.

Two other teams from CONCACAF are still to be determined though - one will come to fruition tomorrow and the other on Saturday afternoon.

Meet Luis Gil

The youngest member of the U-17 CONCACAF Championship team is our latest player to be featured in our on-going "Get to Know Me" series:

Dollar Store Treasure

Well... look what we found today at the Dollar Store in Tijuana:

That's right, a lovely hat bearing the name Luis' last name (this must be Luis Gil day on the YNT Blog). And yes, it is a $1 store - everything in there is 13.50 pesos, or just about one American dollar.

That Makes a Baker's Dozen

Sorry to those with Triskaidekaphobia, the U.S. has made it a lucky 13 trips to the U-17 World Cup... well, we suppose they will make it 13. Here are 13 other great things associated with the number 13:

1. There are 13 players in a rugby league team.
2. Kristine Lilly, who made more international appearances than any other player in the sport's history, wore #13 for the USA women's team (maybe you've heard of her)
   
3. The number of colonies that formed the United States. The original flag had thirteen stars, one for each state.
4. The American flag still has 13 stripes (seven red and six white)
   
5. In the Great Seal of the United States there are 13 olive leaves (with 13 olives), 13 arrows, and 13 stars.
6. Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain wore number 13. Three NBA teams, plus the Harlem Globetrotters, have retired his number.
7. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino wore number 13 for the Miami Dolphins, who retired his number in 2000.
8. 13 is the oungest age a minor can watch a PG-13 rated movie by the MPAA without the recommendation of parental guidance or parental consent.
9. Ozzie Guillén, manager of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox, has worn the number throughout his baseball career.
10. Colgate University also considers 13 to be a lucky number. They were founded in 1819 by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers, and 13 articles.
11. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash wears the number 13.
12. Thirteen is a prime number
13. E Pluribus Unum - well that has 13 letters
    

This is all boding very well for the United States so far... Can you add any others?

Keeping the Streak Alive

As you know by now, the U.S. is the only country to qualify for every FIFA U-17 World Cup (formerly the FIFA U-16 World Championship) since the tournament’s inception in 1985 – a total of 13 tournaments.

Some other notable and seemingly perennial U-17 qualifiers:

Team	U-17s WCs	Notes
Brazil	11	2009 South American qualifying is currently underway
Argentina	9	With No. 10 possibly pending, see above
Nigeria	8	Three time winners, includes automatic bid as ‘09 host
Germany	7	Includes Germany FR (’85) and Germany DR (’87, ’89)

Watch U.S. vs. Canada

The first half of the USA vs. Canada match is now posted on YouTube! You can check it out below:

Goals scored in 2nd, 30th and 34th minute - Pay special attention to McInerney's rocket around 28:05 of the video:

Here's the second half as well:

Win and We're In

The U.S. U-17s can clinch a berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria with a win against Canada tomorrow. That's in the back of the players minds as they mentally prepare for tomorrow afternoon's game.

The U.S. holds a 4-1 record against Canada at this event and will look to make it 5-1 tomorrow on what is supposed to be a much cooler day here in Tijuana that Tuesday was. Nonetheless, these guys are recouped and recovered and ready for a battle.

Most of the team went through a pool recovery session this morning and mostly took it easy this afternoon before some meetings and strategy talk this evening. We'll have more tomorrow leading up to the game so stay tuned!