The U17 Men's National Team has finished its summer travels, but at least one player is ready for his brief summer break to be over so he can get back to Bradenton, FL and continue on the road to the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Atlanta-area player Jack McInerney scored three more goals during the most recent Central America tour, in keeping with his good goal-scoring form throughout 2009. McInerney is really enjoying his soccer at the moment.

"I want to go back now," McInerney said from his Georgia home. "I wish I could stay there and be playing all day. I can't wait to get back."

The soccer-mad striker said he enjoyed the competition, designed to help prep Wilmer Cabrera's squad for the rigors of CONCACAF Qualifying next spring. One thing the team felt they experienced plenty of was "home cooking" from the referees in the matches, which McInerney said was part of the plan.

"He said that's why we're down here, to learn about that stuff."

Along with a pair of red cards for what McInerney described as "stupid stuff," the team conceded a number of dangerous free kicks and some vital penalties.

"It's hard to go down there and play. The referees don't give you anything," he said. "We were up 1-0 in a lot of the games and couldn't get a bigger lead or keep anything going."

The team also learned some things about gamesmanship.

"When we first started off, we were trying to get used to how they play, and I think we did," he said. "But it even started off in the tunnel before the game. Their teams would start screaming and yelling. It was something we hadn't seen before. Coach said they do it to get pumped up and because they want to psyche you out."

McInerney said the team continues to work a lot on defensive organization and tactics, including when and when not to pressure. He said the squad played a 4-5-1 formation with two defensive midfielders during much of the trip, although he reckons it was partly to give certain players further evaluation as the coaching staff determines the fall roster for Bradenton Residency.

While it has not come all at once, there's been more than a 50 percent turnover in the playing staff at Bradenton since Cabrera took over in the fall.

One player whose return to the Florida training fields is not in question is McInerney, whose goal-scoring form has been impressive over the past several months. The fleet-footed striker is good in the air, can shoot from distance and is intelligent off the ball. He can also play with his back to the goal.

"I think the biggest difference has been my mentality going into the game," McInerney said. "Coach keeps telling the forward to have the mentality to put the ball in the back of the net as best you can. That's what I've been focusing on."

McInerney says he enjoys his strike partnership with fellow speedster Stefan Jerome.

"We play well together," he said. "He has so much speed. I'll be checking to the ball and he makes forward runs. We're a good combination I guess."

Sources confirm that McInerney, who played club soccer for Cobb FC, is being tracked by more than a few professional teams. The forward said he is aware of that and would definitely look into a pro option after completing his time in Bradenton, but added he is also looking into colleges and keeping his list of schools open.

Perhaps the place that can promise him the shortest wait before his next chance to play soccer will have the advantage in securing his services. 

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