Last week’s trip to Northern Ireland for the Milk Cup has U18 Men’s National Team coach Mike Matkovich more aware than ever of reforms still needed in our developmental system.

The team ended up losing to Denmark’s 1990 birth year squad 2-1, drawing 1-1 with a 1992 squad from Germany, and then defeating Israel after eight rounds of penalties in a consolation match after drawing 1-1 in regulation time.

Matkovich complimented his squad on their effort and willingness to employ the right ideas of attacking soccer, but said the difference of opposing players being under professional youth development was evident.

“There were a lot of positives but it reminds us there are a lot of things to work on in this country,” the first-year coach and Chicago Fire assistant told Top Drawer Soccer. “The level of play was very high and it gave our guys a chance to see where they are at. It highlighted a lot of things their guys are better at.”

Among the items Matkovich listed as needing improvement (nationally as well as with this squad) included technical ability, tactical understanding, fielding players who can function at the various field positions, and “little things” that end up making the difference in results of matches.

“The (Development) Academy is a good step but the system has to keep changing as we go forward if we’re going to continue to progress,” he said. “Specifically you see their calmness on the ball, there tactical awareness and just how they always have guys who functionally can play the positions. For instance I had to take a guy who is a holding midfielder and have him play left back. Now he did OK but you see the rest of the teams all had guys who can play that position and they had someone for every other position. They have been there with their clubs in that position for a significant amount of time and it shows in how they know how to play it. We’ve closed the gap and come a long way but we have to take it much farther and really look at what we need to do to get there.”

Matkovich said reforming the training that goes on at clubs for players of ages 10-15 will need to be a major emphasis.

Goalscorers for the team included Virginia’s Will Bates (Denmark), Duke recruit Ryan Finley (Germany) and UCLA-bound Amobi Okugo (Israel). He credited Okugo, Akron recruit Zarek Valentin and Boston College bound goalkeeper Justin Luthy with having standout performances for the team. Luthy made some saves during post-match spot kicks to help deliver the win against Israel.

Matkovich added another bright spot was to see the team work at playing possession and attacking soccer, with little-to-no longball employed over the three matches.

“We encouraged them to play, and to not be afraid to make mistakes and they did that pretty well. So our style was pretty good, now we just have to put those other things together.”

The squad (or a younger version of it) will reconvene at some point after the upcoming college season.


U18 MNT Roster for Milk Cup (courtesy US Soccer)

GOALKEEPERS (2): Justin Luthy (Boston College; Dublin, Ohio), Zachary MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (6): Chad Barson (Akron; Lewis Center, Ohio), Paolo Del Piccolo (Louisville; Lakewood, Colo.), Scott Prozeller (Harvard; Sudbury, Mass.), Jossimar Sanchez (Connecticut; Patterson, N.J.), Kofi Sarkodie (Akron; Huber Heights, Ohio), Zarek Valentin (Akron; Lancaster, Pa.);
MIDFIELDERS (7): Dion Acoff (Arsenal FC; Upland, Calif.), Jose Altamirano (San Diego State; San Diego, Calif.), Miles Byass (Arsenal FC; Highland, Calif.), Gregory Garza (Sporting CP; Grapevine, Texas), Nicholas Millington (Wake Forest; Raleigh, N.C.), Amobi Okugo (UCLA; Sacramento, Calif.), Harrison Petts (Carmel United SC; Zionsville, Ind.)
FORWARDS (3): Will Bates (Virginia; Chester, Va.), Ryan Finley (Duke; Lumberton, N.J.), Hasani Sinclair (South Florida; Coral Springs, Fla.)