Josh Sargent at the U-20 World Cup
by plaid_pants (2017-05-22 20:19:23)
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The United States drew its first group game at the U-20 World Cup with Ecuador 3-3 earlier today (or is that tomorrow?) in Korea.

Of note is that two of the goals were scored by a late addition to the roster by Tab Ramos, 17 year-old Josh Sargent. (Video of both goals in the link below). He beat Jozy Altidore's record as the youngest American to score in the U20 World Cup by some 140 days.

I don't think soccer analytics has caught up to baseball with minor league equivalency projections, but Josh had 19 goals and 7 assists in 34 matches during the just concluded U-17 World Cup Qualifying run-up.

Sporting Kansas City would own his rights were he to join the MLS, but the internet is saying he will go to Germany next year when he turns 18. He has already worked out for Schalke, Bremen, Stuttgart and PSV.

Perhaps more interesting is that fans are arguing who is the best prospect on this team between Luca de la Torre (M - Fulham), Derrick Jones (M -Philadelphia), Cameron Carter Vickers (D - Spurs), Erik Palmer Brown (D - Kansas City), Tyler Adams (M - Red Bull NY), Gedion Zelalem (M- Arsenal), Brooks Lennon (F - Liverpool) and Justen Glad (D - Salt lake).

Again, soccer analytics hasn't caught up to Bill James on career longevity projections, so I don't know how many 5* regarded prospects at 20 years old pan out as career-long starters at the highest levels, but that is looking like a good core group for the next generation of 2022 and 2026 World Cup cycles.



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