Frankie Amaya and Richie Ledezma have been vital gamers for the U.S. U-20 crew up to now this cycle. For each gamers, lots has modified of their careers the previous six months and the subsequent 12 months shall be much more fascinating.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Could 17, 2018
12:00 AM
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OVER THE PAST 20 years, the US U-20 nationwide crew has been an vital software for American soccer. It has not solely been part of the chain that helps to feed the Olympic crew and finally the complete nationwide crew, nevertheless it has additionally been an vital stepping stone for particular person gamers to get observed and scouted as they put together to start out their skilled careers.
This present version of the U.S. U-20 crew isn’t any exception. The cycle started at January’s Youth Summit and was adopted by a visit to Spain for a pair of friendlies towards an older French youth nationwide crew.
The U.S. U-20 crew carried out properly in these video games successful one towards France after which drawing an Atletico Madrid youth crew. One of many positives to emerge from that camp was the play of Richie Ledezma and Frankie Amaya – two gamers who’re shut associates and who’re rising throughout the crew collectively.
After strong camps to start out 2018, each may very well be in line for an enormous function in U-20 World Cup qualifying.
“So far it’s going well,” Ledezma informed ASN from the present U-20 camp in Florida. “It’s hard. There is competition. There are guys that always want to take your position. In this camp going to Honduras, there are guys in my position fighting for the spot.”
Each Ledezma and Amaya have comparable backgrounds as neither have had a lot earlier involvements with U.S. youth nationwide groups previous to 2018. On the Youth Summit each started with the U-19 crew however have been requested to right away transfer up with the U-20s with Ledezma seeing time at each the No. 6 and No. 8 positions within the midfield whereas Amaya fluctuates between the wing and the No. 10 function.
“It was hard to adjust to adjust to this team,” Amaya recalled. “It was truly actually troublesome. For me and Richie each, as a result of now we have by no means truly been to a official camp. I’ve by no means been referred to as up earlier than… The one time I have been referred to as as much as was the one camp in January. I used to be initially with the U-19s however then I stayed three additional days with the U-20s.”
“It was hard to adjust and I was really shy,” he added. “Even with the U-19s I wasn’t talking that much. I was with Richie most of the time because he was my closest friend. But then getting called up to the U-20s after three days to guys I didn’t know. They were welcoming but I didn’t really know anyone.”
Then in a 1-0 win over a French team with Zinedine Zidane in attendance (with his son playing in goal for France), Ledezma played a huge role in controlling the midfield and Amaya scored the late winner.
“How big is that?” Amaya recalled with a smile. “Coming from my first camp then scoring against France in front of Zidane. It is really shocking how much my life has changed since January.”
“For me, it gave me confidence when I went back to RSL,” Ledezma said in agreement. “It makes me feel good about myself and Tab told me I had a good camp. I had no confidence coming into the camp in Spain and that changed it all.”
With their rise within the U.S. U-20 team, their lives are going to continue to change as each will soon have to make important decisions as to the next step in their careers.
As a product of the Real Salt Lake Academy and a native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ledezma has been begun earning minutes for the club’s USL team, the Real Monarchs, and has performed well. He has also been invited to train with the club’s first team.
While he has not yet signed a pro contract with Real Salt Lake, his recent success might have opened other doors as to where to start his career. Still he does admit his ties to Real Salt Lake are strong and that he often gets advice from Martin Vazquez, Monarchs coach Mark Briggs, and first team head coach Mike Petke.
“It depends. It all depends on how I feel and if I am happy and if I want to start my career in the United States or Europe,” Ledezma said. “I am learning a lot from the club here and the coaches are pushing me. They make me do fitness after training. They really care about me.”
For Amaya, 17, his future was far more uncertain. A native of Santa Ana, Calif., Amaya has been a standout for the Pateadores soccer club, which is in U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy.
“Before any of these camps, I was just looking to go to college,” Amaya said. “But after these camps, I don’t know. They have benefited me a lot and changed my perspective. I don’t know what I am going to do now.”
Regardless of their decisions regarding club situations or college, Amaya and Ledezma likely have a big year ahead with the U-20 team which will aim to punch a ticket and make a run at the 2019 U-20 World Cup in Poland.
In 2017 the U-20 team won the CONCACAF title for the first time and defeated Mexico in the process. But earlier this year, a member from that U.S. team, Jonathan Gonazalez, switched his international affiliation to Mexico in what was perceived as a huge setback for U.S. Soccer.
Ledezma and Amaya are sons of Mexican immigrants however each are glad inside U.S. Soccer, regardless of the bitter rivalry with Mexico. Ledezma added that he doesn’t know something in regards to the Mexican setup and that he’s proud of the U.S. crew – the crew that referred to as him first. Amaya, nevertheless, grew up in a closely pro-Mexican nationwide crew family however did share of their sentiment.
“I don’t know who they’re going to be going for. Hopefully me, right?” Amaya mentioned jokingly when requested what his household would do if the U.S. U-20s confronted Mexico in qualifying. “I always went for Mexico because my grandmother and family all go for Mexico. But I am not really big on that. My family is big on that but I am not that big on that. I just showed my U.S. jersey right in front of their face [laughs].”
A matchup towards Mexico continues to be a methods off and the crew has a number of camps earlier than qualifying. Earlier on this camp the U.S. crew defeated FC Miami Metropolis 5-1 earlier than it departed for Honduras for a pair of friendlies towards the Honduran U-20 crew. After a win over France, the crew is keen to point out what it could possibly do towards CONCACAF opposition.
“It’s is a different type of playing style,” Amaya mentioned. “But we are really hungry to win and compete. We want that ticket to the World Cup.”
“There is a lot of potential with this team,” Ledezma echoed. “Hopefully it all goes well.”
