Three FC Dallas Players to Join US U20s
Published 7/3/2008 1:30:36 PM by staff from dallas
Three members of the FC Dallas roster will travel to the southern tip of Texas next week to play for the US under 20 national team in a match with their counterparts from Mexico in Laredo. All three, goalkeeper Josh Lambo, midfielder/forward Brek Shea and midfielder/defender Anthony Wallace, are US U20 veterans, and along with Jorge Flores (Chivas USA) and Brandon Manzonelli (New England Revolution), comprise the entire MLS contingent in Thomas Rongen's 16-player squad.
Lambo last appeared with the youth national team in January for the Copa Chivas tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. The young keeper likely would have been called in for additional duty were it not for a broken jaw suffered in FCD's first reserve game on March 30. That injury kept him out of action until mid-May.
Shea also missed the Copa Chivas with an injury but has been busy internationally since. He was called in for the U.S. under-23 match at Barbados on June 22 but didn't play. Before that, the 18 yr old rookie played for the U23s at the Toulon International Tournament in May and the U20s in the Campo Verde International Tournament, where he scored a goal.
Wallace is also no stranger to international duty. He joined Shea at the Campo Verde Tournament in Portugal, starting and wearing the captain's armband for their first match against the Cape Verde Islands. He also appeared in a camp with the U23 team in January.
While disappointed to lose three of his most promising youngsters, FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman is happy for his contingent called into the youth national team. "I think that's great that they're getting a chance to continue to play for their country," Hyndman said. "We're going to miss them because we're getting some good training and they're starting to feel more comfortable with me and my demands. They have a future here and we want to get them playing time. I think it's fantastic. Any time players can get the opportunity to play at a different level or to put themselves in a position to play for their country, I think it's great."
The Hoops boss sees it as another great chance for his youngsters to get more playing time against some high-quality competition. "Because the reserve schedule isn't a week-in, week-out thing that they can focus on, this is a wonderful opportunity, not only for the training but preparing for competition," Hyndman said. "I think when they come back, they're sharper and a little more excited because it's not the same thing where they show up for training every day and don't know if they'll get to play in the weekend. This is really a necessity for these developmental players."
Label: Josh Lambo, Brek Shea, Anthony Wallace, US Under 20 National Team
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