ASN: Eclectic Group Leads U.S. U-23s on Street to Rio

The USA squad that takes the sector Thursday night time in Kansas Metropolis to begin qualifying for the 2016 Olympics is a blended group with loads of expertise. Brian Sciaretta talks to a few key gamers.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
October 01, 2015
3:50 PM

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.—The USA U-23 workforce has been making ready for Olympic qualifying all through 2015, and on Thursday night time at 7 p.m. Central time, the gamers will lastly get the possibility to take they first steps towards its aim—steps that, they hope, will finally result in Rio. 

Qualifying for the event out of CONCACAF is tough, nonetheless, because it usually hinges on a single semifinal recreation, and this 20-man American aspect is a various group. It options some gamers who’ve been with U.S. youth nationwide groups for a lot of the previous decade, and others gamers who’re utterly new to the U.S. setup. 9 play in MLS; 9 play in Europe. Some are older (Wil Trapp, three months from 23); some are something however (Cameron Carter-Vickers, 17). All should come collectively rapidly to be able to keep away from the pitfalls of 2012.

For Marc Pelosi, 21, the event is about redemption. Lengthy considered one of many prime American prospects, the German-born however San Francisco-raised midfielder joined Liverpool after a stable U-17 World Cup in 2011. He was rising rapidly via Liverpool’s system — a lot in order that Liverpool wouldn’t launch him for U-20 World Cup qualifying and named to its preliminary Europa League roster as a substitute.

Shortly after, he suffered a damaged tibia and fibula after a vicious deal with towards West Bromwich Albion.

Pelosi would return after 14 months away from the sport, however Liverpool had moved on. Pelosi returned residence and signed with the San Jose Earthquakes.

“It was difficult,” stated Pelosi, now a starter on a doable playoff aspect. “It was almost two years that it set me back. I was at a good time at Liverpool, but you can’t really do anything about injuries. They happen. This took quite a bit longer than expected, but I believe everything happens for a reason. This brought me back home to San Jose and I am loving it here. I think I’m back to my old self and I’m playing well, staying fit, and avoiding small injuries.”

Even all through his rehabbing of a brutal harm, U.S. Soccer saved Pelosi concerned with this workforce because the starting of preparations for Olympic qualifying in 2014. Throughout that point, he’s helped head coach Andi Herzog specifically together with his versatility, a trait he credit to his time at Liverpool.

Underneath Herzog, Pelosi performs as a midfielder both on the left aspect or centrally; on this previous summer time’s Toulon Match, he performed each attacking and defensive midfield. He additionally stated he can play left again—which may be an choice with this U-23 workforce because of its restricted fullback choices.

“We have confidence we will qualify, and that is how every U.S. team goes into any qualifying event,” Pelosi stated. “But it’s going to be difficult, and everyone knows they are difficult teams.”

Whereas Pelosi has had an extended, albeit uneven, historical past with U.S. nationwide groups, it’s a unique story for midfielder Matt Polster, who earlier this month was invited to participate within the U.S. U-23’s remaining camp previous to Olympic qualifying. It was his first worldwide involvement at any age degree. 

Born in Milwaukee and raised in Las Vegas, Polster went on to play school soccer at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, a program that had had no latest success within the sport. However Polster managed to steer the Cougars to the NCAA event, and regardless of his winding street, he in the end was chosen seventh general on this yr’s MLS SuperDraft.

“I always wanted to play for the national team, and it was tough from the route I took,” Polster stated. “I came from Las Vegas, and not many players from Las Vegas play for the national team. Then I went to a small school. It was tough for me to get the looks needed.”

Polster, 22, has cemented himself within the beginning lineup for Chicago, and on the U-23 workforce he provides a powerful defensive presence within the midfield. Like Pelosi, he’s additionally versatile and may fill in at central protection and at proper again.

The competitiveness at his first camp wasn’t an issue, Polster stated, however there was an adjustment of one other variety 

“I didn’t know them as people,” Polster stated of his teammates. “The first few sessions were tough for me because it was my first call-up. After a few sessions and games I earned respect and showed I could play at the level. Once you gain that respect, it’s easier to get on with the players.”

Jerome Kiesewetter, 22, first turned concerned with U.S. Soccer in 2009, when he was found by then-U.S. U-20 coach Thomas Rongen. Born in Germany, Kiesewetter got here up via Hertha Berlin’s system however has since moved to Stuttgart, making his Bundesliga debut with the membership towards the tip of final season.

So far, his solely exercise with america in main youth tournaments got here in 2013, when he made a couple of temporary appearances for the U-20 workforce in World Cup qualifying. Now he’s trying to take an elevated function on the U-23 workforce.

“[Herzog is] a coach that wants us to keep the ball and control the game,” stated Kiesewetter, who has progressively switched from ahead to proper wing for Stuttgart however performs each for the U-23s. “He’s a very good coach for us to actually play soccer. We’re not a workforce that tries to destroy the sport. We going to play and do some good mixtures. 

Regardless of being born and raised in Germany, the place Olympic soccer is taken into account minor, Kiesewetter stated he deeply appreciates the significance of the event. In flip, his American household does, too: Based mostly in Dallas, they’re attempting to make it to Kansas Metropolis for a part of qualifying.

“I don’t want to say it means the world because, to me, my family is the world,” Kiesewetter stated of qualification. “But it is very important to me. Only a few players get the chance to play in the Olympics.”

There’s additionally significance past simply Olympics participation itself: Traditionally, the event has usually served as a vibrant highlight for gamers — and a strong springboard to the total nationwide workforce.

“For every athlete, the Olympics is something special,” Herzog stated. “Especially for the U.S., the Olympic Games are huge. It’s a big stage for our young players to show the rest of the world that the U.S. has very talented young players.”