The appearance of Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley in the U.S. starting lineup against China wasn’t the first time teenagers have been drafted into service for the national team.
In 1977, Ricky Davis and Gary Etherington debuted with much fanfare at New York’s Randall’s Island in a tournament against Latin American club teams.
In 1991, a month after they played in the Under-17 World Championship, Bora Milutinovic gave Mike Slivinski and Mark Jonas their first (and only) caps against Jamaica.
But the case of Donovan and Beasley, winners of the Golden and Silver Balls, respectively, at the 1999 Under-17 World Championship is different.
Never has the United States produced players at their positions quite like Donovan and Beasley.
Donovan is a classic withdrawn striker, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field but just as likely to look to spring a teammate with one of his deft through balls.
Beasley is unlike any flank player the U.S. has produced: He has speed to burn, a good short passing game and the smarts to know how to defend.
On the surface, it would seem that a USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier is not place to start them out.
But why not Feb. 28 in Columbus?
The knock on Arena’s team during the semifinal round of qualifying was that it created too few opportunities for itself. Donovan can create chances for himself and others. If any player is used to the Midwest winter in which the game will be played, it’s Beasley, raised in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
The 4-4-2 formation Arena used against China provides defensive cover for his attackers to go forward. The key is, these attackers must be ready to track back, and Donovan and Beasley have both shown they aren’t afraid to do a little running.
If the history of soccer has shown us anything, it’s never too soon to give young stars a chance.