Coops,
I agree. Dispite this nightmare campaign I do see some positives. Starting with the U-20. (I want TTFF make eat my words). Together wit a couple of the present seniors, they should be better prepared for 2014. Remeber pre-qualification start at around the end of 2011 and beginning 2012. We don't have 4 yrs as some of us may want to think.
We definitely don’t have 4 years. And my guess is the U20s won’t figure as prominently in the next WCQ cycle as most seem to expect. And 2014 will be no cakewalk. Here’s why.
(1) Midfield. We have Tinto, Carlos, Birchall, Noel, Guerra, Roberts, Daniel, Colin Samuel, Leon, Hector. Kevon Neaves might get a call. Paul and DeSilva playing US College, so the only U20s challenging for a spot might be Rochford, Molino, Hyland, M Joseph. Only Hyland likely to get a
starting spot. And under Latapy that is not a given.
(2) Forwards. We have Jones, Scotland, Roberts, Glen, Baptiste, Randy Patterson and some PL hopefuls. Gay, Lougheed and Clarence challenging. The only U20 player so far with a chance of starting from among that pool is Gay. Definitely not a given either.
(3) Defence. Here is where the U20 program really reaped the most dividends. IMO any one of Primus, Adams, Bateau, Cyrus can start against Caribbean opposition right now, Adams performance against JA notwithstanding. But will these guys be ready to contain sustained attacks from an Altidore, Pavon, or Blanco in 2-3 years? Plus they will face stiff competition from James, Farrier, Javed Mohammed and Marshall.
(4) We have 2 years to find a team consisting mainly of young players, many of whom will come from the Pro-League, that can consistently beat the likes of Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico. An uphill task by any measure.
If we learn from the U20 experiment and apply those lessons to the upcoming generation we could have a bomb squad that WILL be ready to challenge the CONCACAF big 3 in time for the 2018 Hex. But most folks don’t want to look so far ahead.
