The U-20 World Youth Championship has been the launch pad for a number of international superstars, including Diego Maradona, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi. The 2007 tournament, hosted by Canada next summer, could prove to be a turning point in the careers of American youngsters Freddy Adu (the captain), Josimer Altidore, Preston Zimmerman, and Heerenveen pair Robbie Rodgers and Michael Bradley. Before any of this can happen, the U.S. team must qualify out of January’s CONCACAF tournament in Panama, where the U.S. will play three games in five days. Coach Thomas Rongen is finalizing his roster for the games right now, having already made cuts after a December camp. Most of Rongen’s squad has made it to the camp, but Heerenveen isn’t cooperating over the release of Bradley. Rongen is calling on FIFA to intervene, but there’s still no guarantee he’ll be available for the qualifying games.