Thinking about the upcoming [...]]]> Thomas Rogen recently announced his roster of U-20′s for the Torneo de las Americas that will be played in Kennesaw, GA.  Two of those players, Juan Agudelo & Gale Agbossoumonde, made Bob Bradley’s rosters and earned their first full national team Cap during the friendly recently played in South Africa.

Thinking about the upcoming Torneo de las Americas, the return to South Africa, and the anticipation of the pending announcement for the 2018 & 2022 World Cup I started to think about the following.  Which, if any, of these kids playing at KSU Soccer Stadium over Thanksgiving weekend may return to Atlanta in 2022 as a veteran leader to help guide the USA during the World Cup?

Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself because the US isn’t by any means a lock. However, Dec. 2nd at 10AM FIFA will announce what countries will be awarded the rights to host the 2018 & 2022 World Cup.  The Atlanta Bid committee is still looking for your support not only to help the US win but to help bring the World Cup to Atlanta.  To do so you can submit your information below.

Who knows, your vote might help bring Juan Agudelo back.  Agudelo will be turning 18 on November 23rd, 2010, the day before the US U-20′s take on Colombia.  During the 2022 World Cup Juan will be 29 years old, a year older than Landon Donovan was during this past World Cup.  You may remember Juan from the NY Red Bull’s playoff games against San Jose as he provided an assist to Juan Pablo Angel.  He was the young forward the commentators couldn’t get enough of with his pace, agility, and poise.  He is being compared to former NY Red Bull Jozy Altidore only better at this age.  One way he showed that was when he bested Altidore to become the youngest American to score for the Men’s National Team.  During that recent South African friendly he came on as a sub in the 60′ minute and 25 minutes later Agudelo collected a pass from Mikkel Diskerud and struck the ball which ricocheted off the crossbar and into the goal.

“Being called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team is a dream come true from me,” Agudelo said. ”I am a bit surprised that this has come so soon, but I am looking forward to work hard and show the coaches what I can provide on the field.”

You can read more about Agudelo emerging as a rising star with NYRB here.

Gale Agbossoumonde also earned his first MNT cap against South Africa as a late substitute for Clarence Goodson.  Agbossoumonde said,

“It was a great experience overall. When you go in and the team is winning, it makes it a lot easier. It’s an unbelievable feeling to get your first cap, and to do it with a victory.”

Agudelo and Agbossoumonde were the first two US Soccer Development Academy Alumni to earn caps.  Do you think we’ll see the World Cup in Atlanta in 2022? If so, do you think either Agudelo or Agbossoumonde will be there? Or do you think we’re more likely to see the next big star on Mexico’s side of the pitch?

Almost a year ago exactly I started to wonder if Atlanta could be part of the US World Cup bidas FIFA began accepting submissions for the 2018/2022 World Cups.  There was also a lot of conversations going on about the Falcons getting a new home around that same time.  I sold [...]]]>

Almost a year ago exactly I started to wonder if Atlanta could be part of the US World Cup bidas FIFA began accepting submissions for the 2018/2022 World Cups.  There was also a lot of conversations going on about the Falcons getting a new home around that same time.  I sold the current GA Dome short on their ability to host international soccer prior to our Summer of Soccer. Regardless of that success I still hope we have an upgrade in 8 to 12 years.   Hopefully with at least a retractable roof Mr. Blank.

Atlanta has done a lot to impress the US Bid Committee recently and the World with the Olympics in 1996. Check out Wendy Parker’s article at Atlanta Soccer News for more insight into some of the things involved in helping secure this opportunity.  I guess now we’ll have to wait till FIFA makes there announcement in December on who gets the rights to host the 2018 & 2022 World Cups.  If the US is awarded the World Cup we may also find out if the number of stadiums gets reduced to the 9-12 as required by FIFA or the 14 the US Bid Committee would like to use for the games.

I didn’t make the World Cup last go around but there’s no way I’ll miss it this time.  How about you? Did you go in 1994? How far would you go to see a game if it wasn’t in your home town?