This supplements the articles found on page 18-19 of the April 23, 2001 issue of Soccer America Magazine. ELLINGER’S 18 Tough decisions needed to mold U.S. qualifying roster BY SCOTT FRENCH John Ellinger’s toughest job this spring isn’t qualifying — it was selecting the 18 players for his qualifying roster. This is a far deeper team, he says, than the group that featured Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, and competition for spots was sizzling. “Some very good players were left off the roster,” says Ellinger, “but I feel very comfortable with the 18 going to St. Louis. One thing about [the U-17s’] residency [in Bradenton, Fla.], you’re not really cutting players, you’re just picking a trial team. … “The thing that happens in this age group — more so this age group than even the 20s — is that players emerge at different stages. Players could emerge who could help this team if we qualify, maybe make a dent somewhere in our lineup before the World Championship. “You never know. It’s something we’re always aware of, always looking at.” Erwin Diaz, who is battling for a starting job up top, is evidence. He made two appearances for the U-17s in 2000 but wasn’t in the picture for most of this year. He joined the team for a short trip to North Carolina, where the Yanks played Wake Forest and Duke universities, and quickly won a spot among the 18. “He just seemed to raise the level of the team’s play when he was on the field,” said Ellinger, who has several options among the attacking players. “He’s very fast, technical, has an incredible work rate as a forward. He’s just a gnat to defenders — that work ethic created our second goal [in a 2-2 tie] against Duke. He tracked back on the defender, stripped him of the ball, went to goal and laid off a great ball for Santino [Quaranta]. It was a great individual goal.” Here’s a look at the U.S. players. Goalkeepers Adam Schuerman (Brookfield, Wis.): Ellinger’s first-choice keeper since last May has all the tools. “He’s extremely quick and very knowledgeable, as far as the tactics of goalkeeping,” the coach says. “His positioning is superb, he’s got great hands and he gives lots of good information.” He’s made 45 starts for the U-17s, with 12 shutouts. Ford Williams (Raleigh, N.C.): Schuerman’s backup entered the program last summer and “has improved probably as much as anybody on the team,” Ellinger says. He’s tall and thin — 6-foot-2, 165 pounds — and combines athleticism with a strong work ethic. He’s seen action in 24 games, most of them as a substitute. Defenders David Chun (Irvine, Calif.): The Yanks’ right back (one of three Irvine Strikers, along with Jordan Harvey and Tyson Wahl, in the U.S. defense) has been a starter since Day One, appearing in 65 of the Yanks’ 74 matches, 59 of them starts. He reads the game well, delivers a nice cross, and, says Ellinger, is “a very solid defender and a good 1-on-1 attacker.” Gray Griffin (Huntersville, N.C.): One of the Americans’ co-captains, the central defender has improved in recent months, Ellinger says, as a result of heightened competition from Chris Lancos and Wahl. He’s started 51 games, and his strengths, Ellinger says, are as a tackler and on-field leader. Jordan Harvey (Mission Viejo, Calif.): The U-17s’ “surfer dude” has been its steadiest defender, first in the center and for the last year on the left. He’s a co-captain who leads the team in starts (with 67). “He’s very difficult to beat,” says Ellinger. “It’ll be a good challenge for him to play a team like Jamaica. I know they do 1-v-1 stuff a lot, wide and with their frontrunners.” Chris Lancos (Belford, N.J.): One of six 6-footers on the squad, Lancos is among the most versatile defenders, capable of playing on the right or in the defensive midfield slot as well as his natural position in the center of the back line. Time in midfield has improved his play on the ball. He’s played 54 games for the U-17s. Chad Marshall (Riverside, Calif.): The 6-2 center back joined the group last June and has made 32 starts since. He’s the best defender in the air, Ellinger reports. “He commands the air around the penalty box … and is very comfortable with the ball,” the coach says. He’s paired with Griffin in the middle. Tyson Wahl (Newport Beach, Calif.): Another summer addition, Wahl is “unbelievably skillful for a big man,” Ellinger says He’s made only 14 starts with the squad, but his versatility provides plenty of options. A defensive midfielder with Irvine Strikers, he also can move onto the forward line if required. Midfielders Craig Capano (Hyde Park, N.Y.): The youngest Yank — only 15 — is one of the most skillful U-17s, and he’s evolved the past 15 months from one of two holding midfielders into a viable playmaker. He leads the team in games played with 71 — 60 of them starts — and has superb touch with both feet. “It’s like he’s got Richie Williams’ work rate with a young Claudio Reyna’s mind and skill,” Ellinger says. “The kid’s got a very bright future.” David Johnson (Riverside, Calif.): Discovered last summer, Johnson is the consummate reserve midfielder, capable of playing either the holding or attacking role with precision. “He’s got good pace, a long-range shot, is good on the ball, has very good vision,” Ellinger praises. “The thing I notice most about him is his composure. … All-around, he’s just a solid center midfielder.” Justin Mapp (Brandon, Miss.): One of the U-17s’ trickiest players, Mapp is a superb left-footed attacker who has worked hard to improve his defensive game. He’s got 23 goals and 13 assists in 66 games, and he’ll start on the left wing when Ellinger fields his best attacking side. ôHe creates havoc for opponentsö the coach says. ôI can’t remember seeing a player do what he can with the ball. You know he’s left-footed, but he’s still going to beat you. You can overplay him, but it doesn’t matter. He’ll still get you.ö Chefik Simo (Plano, Texas): Ellinger’s other option on the left wing has decent attacking skills, but he’s a first-rate defender. Simo was the U-17s’ starting left back until Harvey stepped in when he was injured. “It’s very difficult to beat him, whether he’s the left back or the left midfielder,” the coach says. “He just solidifies that left side of the field.” He’s made 17 assists in 63 U.S. games. Jordan Stone (Allen, Texas): The Yanks’ first-choice defensive midfielder is “probably our most consistent player,” Ellinger says. “He never really has had a bad game. He’s a good ballwinner, reads the game well, is very smart, very good at giving instructions to teammates and motivating players. … He knows his role and plays it, but he can do more than that.” He’s made 63 U.S. appearances, 50 of them starts. Forwards Erwin Diaz (Washington, D.C.): Diaz was invited into residency last year, but it didn’t work out for “technical reasons,” Ellinger says. He was recalled just before the qualifying roster was selected, and now the coach is trying to figure out a way to get him on the field, either paired with Eddie Johnson up top or out on the right wing. “His work rate is a huge asset, he’s very technical, and he makes good runs,” Ellinger says. “He makes things happen for us offensively.” Eddie Johnson (Palm Coast, Fla.): The Yanks’ best pure finisher is an astounding athlete capable of dominating play in opposing penalty boxes. He’s totaled 44 goals and 23 assists in 67 games (61 starts), with 14 goals in 15 international matches. A second-round draft selection by the Dallas Burn, Johnson figures to make his MLS debut this summer. Paul Johnson (Princeton, N.J.): The Americans’ best athlete and one of their hardest workers, just coming back from a foot injury, has been extremely effective off the bench. “He’s still working on the soccer part of it,” Ellinger says. “He’s working hard on his ball control.” He’s been a starter in nearly half his 60 appearances, up front or wide, and has contributed 12 goals and 11 assists. Mike Magee (Long Grove, Ill.): One of four high school sophomores on the U.S. roster (with Capano, Mapp and Diaz), Magee joined the U-17s last summer after Ellinger received a recommendation from Chicago Fire coach Bob Bradley. “In a lot of ways, he’s our main connector,” Ellinger says. “He’s a very lethal finisher, a combination of Landon [Donovan] and Bobby [Convey]. He’s demanding — he wants the ball, and he makes things happen.” He’s scored 28 goals with 14 assists in 40 games, just 24 of them starts, primarily as a withdrawn forward behind Eddie Johnson. Santino Quaranta (Baltimore, Md.): The Americans’ right-sided midfielder also can play as a withdrawn forward or attacking midfielder or on the left wing. “He just runs at defenses and terrorizes them,” Ellinger says. “I think most defenders will tell you they hate people running at them with the ball, especially if they possess weapons and can go inside or outside with both feet. Santino is able to work both sides of the ball, and he can pick and choose when to combine and when to run at people.” Selected eighth overall in the MLS draft by D.C. United, Quaranta has 33 goals and 27 assists in 68 U.S. games. (Scott French is a senior editor at Soccer America.)