Future World Cup Stars? Four Young American Soccer Players You Need To Know

One of the more exciting aspects to Juergen Klinsmann taking over the American Men's National Soccer team is the fresh look he will give to all the players.  There hasn't been a lot of change in the roster of the team over the past few years, despite the aging.

Freddy Adu's selection to the Gold Cup roster aside, former coach Bob Bradley seemed reluctant to give chances to the youngest players in the roster pool.  As a result, you could see on the field the declining speed, especially on defense.  Expect that to change, especially after the Summer Olympics in London next year.


Olympic rules for men's soccer states that only players younger than 23 may play, and this will allow the younger players in the American system to show Klinsmann and American soccer fans they are ready for the big time.

There are a score of young American soccer players flying under the radar and playing for professional teams in Europe and America right now that have had little to no action with the Men's National senior team.  It is almost a certainty that Klinsmann will pull at least some of these players back onto the national roster for the World Cup.  Here's a few of the players that could someday become national soccer team stars:

Timothy Chandler

• Timothy Chandler - A defender currently playing in Germany's Bundesliga league for FC Nuremberg. He has two caps for the United States, but the 21-year old was left off the Gold Cup roster due to objections from his club.  

Brek Shea

• Brek Shea - Drafted second overall in the 2008 MLS draft after finishing high school, the 63" midfielder is currently playing for FC Dallas.  Had 31 caps for the U-17 and U-20 U.S. national teams, and two for the senior team.  

Josh Gatt

• Josh Gatt - Went to Europe to play soccer professionally instead of going to college last year. Looks like that decision is paying off for the 19-year-old winger.  Initially signing with Austrian club SC Altach, Gatt was recruited to Norway's first division and plays now for Molde. Not that heralded coming out of high school, Gatt is now under the tutelage of head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (former Manchester United great).  Look for Gatt's speed to be a major asset for his selection to the national team. 

Fabian Hurzeler
http://usa10kit.com/2011/02/11/rongen-on-deepest-u-20-team-yet-hurzeler-doubt/

• Fabian Hurzeler - Only 17-years-old, the midfielder has dual nationality with Germany and America but announced this year he wants to play for the United States.  This past season he played for the Bayern Munich U-19 team, and was occasionally called up to practice with the First team. 

***Update 8/4 - Chandler and Shea are on the roster for the friendly against Mexico on August 10.