The goal for any Youth National Team is to develop players for the Full Team. The USA found some success in 2016 thanks to the early arrival of Christian Pulisic to the fold at club and country.
Outside of the wunderkind, the USA had a year that included some highs and lows. The hiring of two new coaches brought about some renewed optimism for the program in one age group while a familiar failure struck a disappointing note in another age group.
U18 Men’s National Team
Record in 2016: 8-0-2
Head coach: Omid Namazi
Recap of the Year: Omid Namazi might be the name to watch for the future. The U18 MNT head coach has earned the respect of many in his first season in charge of the age group. Those inside U.S. Soccer speak of Namazi as an excellent coach and someone with a bright future at the Federation. The players that he has worked with are also in his corner. Namazi replaced Javier Perez in the spot as the U18 coach. Perez’s strength was calling in dual-national players and giving them a look at the U.S. Youth National Team system in a low-pressure environment. Namazi has not followed that same path. He seems to be more focused on making the most of the players that he has in the pipeline and then pushing the top talent onto Tab Ramos and the U.S. U20 team. This year, Namazi and his U18 group was the only Youth National Team on the boy’s side to go undefeated throughout the calendar year. The competition was not stellar and it was only 10 games total, but it does suggest a promising future for the coach and the group as a whole.
The U18 MNT first event of 2016 was in Argentina. The USA went 3-0 in South America with wins over club teams San Lorenzo and Racing Club. USA ended the trip with a 2-1 win over Uruguay. In April, the USA held a domestic camp in Chula Vista. The USA beat Xolos 2-1, but was held to a scoreless draw against Nomads.
In the lone major youth international event of the year, the USA won the 2016 Vaclav Jezek Tournament in the Czech Republic in August. USA started teh event with a pair of 3-1 victories over Slovakia and Hungary in pool play. U.S. advanced to the final with a 5-3 win over Russia. In the final, the USA beat the hosts 4-2 to capture the crown. Nicholas Taitague finished as the leading scorer at the event with four goals from four games.
The USA ended the year with a domestic camp in Florida. Jose Carranza’s two-goal effort led the US to a 2-2 draw against South Florida Surf in the last game of the year.
Players to watch: Nicholas Taitague is a name that you will be hearing a lot in 2017. The 17-year-old is already in camp with the U.S. U20 MNT and could be in the mix for a spot on the team during the CONCACAF Championship if he is released by his club team. Taitague is a dynamic talent on the ball who creates problems for the opposition. He is one of the best players currently in the U.S. YNT system regardless of age. The Federation also seems bullish on Carson vom Steeg. The center back donned the captain’s armband for the meaningful games of the past year. He is a strong, physical player who has the tools to compete at the next level.
