Juan Agudelo - Another American Wonderkid

[Vanjagl]

Anyone else heard about this guy ? He reminds me of Freddy Adu.

Spoiler

[video=youtube;EWbpyv638Bg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbpyv638Bg[/video]

[video=youtube;KN-IRXEv0To]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-IRXEv0To[/video]

[video=youtube;-xAYVXlTR9U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xAYVXlTR9U[/video]

Juan Sebastián Agudelo (born November 23, 1992 Manizales) is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

Agudelo has played internationally for the United States U-17, U-20 national team and the senior national team.
Agudelo began his career with the New York Red Bull Academy and quickly established himself as one of the more skilled prospects at the club. In 2009 he was offered a chance to join the junior team but decided to accept a trial with Colombian side Millonarios in 2010. Although it was reported that he had signed with Millonarios, he returned to the United States to join Red Bulls during their pre-season. While with Millonarios, Agudelo played with the youth side, including a match against Santa Fe C.D. on January 17, which served as a tribute match to Brazilian great Pelé.
On March 26, 2010, Agudelo officially joined the New York Red Bulls. He made his professional debut on April 27, 2010, in a U.S. Open Cup game against Philadelphia Union. Agudelo made his MLS debut against Real Salt Lake October 9, 2010, entering in the 85th minute in a match that ended in a scoreless draw. He scored his first professional goal on March 19, 2011, in the Red Bulls' 2011 MLS season opener, a 1–0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
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International

Agudelo represented the United States at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. In 2010, he also debuted for the United States Under-20 side. On January 23, 2010, he scored the equalizing goal for the United States Under-20 national team in a 1–1 draw with Brazil. On November 11, 2010, Agudelo was called up to the United States senior national side for the first time as part of an 18-man roster for a match against South Africa on November 17 in Cape Town. He made his debut for the team coming on against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge wearing the number 17 shirt. Agudelo scored the only goal of the game on a volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar. In doing so, he became the youngest player in national team history to score in a senior game. On January 22. 2011, Agudelo drew the penalty that led to the USA's only goal of the match in a 1–1 draw against Chile. In an international friendly on March 26, 2011, he scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Argentina.

Goal.com Exclusive: Juan Agudelo explains why chose the USA - Goal.com

 

[curtis290]

Good read, the kid has potential but we have to wait a bit before we get too excited about him. I haven't seen him play much but he's very raw. My concern is that he's all pace and size and not much else (very typical American player).

The Freddy Adu comparison is a poor one. Freddy had more talent at a young age but his development was ruined by playing in the MLS. The MLS is much different now and is better for developing players, I think. Agudelo also came out of an MLS youth academy, which helps, and also demonstrates how much our youth development is progressing in this country. Although it will be generations before we can be a true powerhouse (not until young kids are very into the sport and watch it and play it like they do in other countries), I think we will improve a lot in the next 15 or so years.

 

[Vanjagl]

Good read, the kid has potential but we have to wait a bit before we get too excited about him. I haven't seen him play much but he's very raw. My concern is that he's all pace and size and not much else (very typical American player).

The Freddy Adu comparison is a poor one. Freddy had more talent at a young age but his development was ruined by playing in the MLS. The MLS is much different now and is better for developing players, I think. Agudelo also came out of an MLS youth academy, which helps, and also demonstrates how much our youth development is progressing in this country. Although it will be generations before we can be a true powerhouse (not until young kids are very into the sport and watch it and play it like they do in other countries), I think we will improve a lot in the next 15 or so years.

Yes, he looks like great player for the future... I would love to see him in Italy or England, because, like you said, he is all pace and size now, maybe playing there would help him to grow tacticlly. About Freddy comparation, I mean he got big potential, but he could turn into somekind of a flop, like Freddy did

 

[belz]

Looks a good prospect, appears to have a nice technique and finishing on the 2 vids. That said, we can't really judge a player on YouTube.

Well, my guess is the following: In the USA, they call it soccer. So, from that only, we can see the importance of football there. Whenever a great American 'soccer' talent arises, media coverage is nasty (mainly due to Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are kinda making football fashion over seas). That can't be good, as we all know. Adu came to Benfica with all the comparisons, scored a late winner, now, I don't even know where he is. This Agudelo, he is still young, let's hope he doesn't get illusions of greatness and learns from who is worthy learning from.

 

[Vanjagl]

Looks a good prospect, appears to have a nice technique and finishing on the 2 vids. That said, we can't really judge a player on YouTube.

Well, my guess is the following: In the USA, they call it soccer. So, from that only, we can see the importance of football there. Whenever a great American 'soccer' talent arises, media coverage is nasty (mainly due to Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are kinda making football fashion over seas). That can't be good, as we all know. Adu came to Benfica with all the comparisons, scored a late winner, now, I don't even know where he is. This Agudelo, he is still young, let's hope he doesn't get illusions of greatness and learns from who is worthy learning from.

I couldn't agree more