ASN: Kellyn Acosta Is Anxious for U-20 World Cup Qualifying

The U.S. under-20 workforce is getting ready now for a January match that can decide whether or not it makes the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke with Kellyn Acosta about workforce preparation.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
December 11, 2014
2:16 PM

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CRUNCH TIME HAS ARRIVED for Tab Ramos and the USA U-20 nationwide workforce as World Cup qualifying is now lower than a month away. Kellyn Acosta, a veteran of the 2013 U-20 workforce, has emerged as one of many leaders on the squad and is raring to indicate what this workforce can do.

“We’re very confident,” Acosta informed American Soccer Now. “I know we’re all excited and looking forward to” the qualifying match.

Acosta, 19, is a really helpful participant for Tab Ramos and Oscar Pareja, his head coach a FC Dallas. He has proven the power to play a number of totally different positions—together with proper again and a central, box-to-box function.

The U.S. U-20 loved a profitable 2014, securing a 9-1-3 document throughout the calendar 12 months. Subsequent week the U.S. will head to Honduras for coaching adopted by a last home coaching camp later in December—and instantly earlier than the beginning of the qualifying match which might be held in Jamaica from January 9-24.

In that match, the U.S. U-20s will face Guatemala, Panama, Aruba, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. If the U.S. wins its group, it should qualify for the World Cup. The 2nd and third place groups must play winner-take-all playoff video games towards groups from the opposite group.

Acosta is likely one of the most seasoned veterans on the workforce, each internationally and on the membership degree. Whereas it is unlikely that two of the workforce’s star gamers, Rubio Rubin and Emerson Hyndman, might be launched for qualifying, Acosta is assured his workforce possesses the kind of depth essential to get the job executed.

“We have a strong group of players,” Acosta mentioned. “It’s crazy, in any group we have players who can just come in and take any other players’ spot. I am looking forward to seeing what Tab has in store for us in the upcoming weeks.”

Atletico Madrid youth ahead Boxi Yomba was just lately on the U.S. U-20 workforce’s journey to Spain the place it defeated Russia and Eire earlier than falling to Canada. It was Yomba’s first time with the workforce and the Georgia native scored two targets within the match. He got here away most impressed by Acosta’s management on and off the sphere.

“Kellyn is a leader vocally and can be a leader by just his actions on the field,” Yomba mentioned. “When he needs to motivate you, he knows what to say. And if that doesn’t help, he will demonstrate by his play. Off the field, he’s an even cooler guy. I think he has it all, which makes him a good leader.”

In MLS, Acosta is a key a part of the youth motion at FC Dallas which misplaced within the Western Convention semifinals to Seattle. In 2013, Acosta made 13 appearances for the membership; this 12 months he made 16.

On the U-20 degree, a serious benefit involves gamers who’ve earned first-team skilled minutes and have made the transition from prospect to precise contributor. Acosta continues to be not an affect participant for Dallas however he’s heading in the right direction and might really feel the distinction.

“I think I’m getting better,” Acosta assessed. “Getting games is important and I am experiencing that kind of level. It’s good for me and it’s helping me grow. I am playing more physical. It’s a physical game. I was playing more of an outside back in MLS right now and I am trying to adapt with Tab in his system of play. It’s challenging for me but I’m accepting the challenge and just working hard.”

Subsequent 12 months, extra might be anticipated for FC Dallas who could have a practical purpose to be among the many greatest groups within the Western Convention.

“I think we proved in the league what we are capable of and what we can do,” Acosta mentioned. “Oscar was very proud of us. We worked hard and fought until the end. We never gave up, and in years to come we will be a title contender.”

It’s totally doubtless that 2015 will show to be an vital 12 months for Acosta, each on the membership and worldwide ranges, and he would possibly even turn into the captain of the U-20 workforce on the World Cup. What place he’ll play is a totally totally different matter. It is doable that at qualifying he performs within the midfield after which shifts to proper again on the World Cup when Hyndman joins the workforce.

Acosta believes that his most comfy place over the long run is central midfield however at this stage in his profession, he’s prepared to do no matter Ramos or Pareja ask of him.

“I’m open to any position,” Acosta mentioned. “As long as I am on the field, I am excited. Anywhere I can help the team, that is the position I will play. If I need to play left back, right back, d-mid, right mid—it doesn’t matter. “Wherever the coach wants me and wherever the workforce wants me, I’m pleased to be there.”

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.