Monday, June 28, 2010

Project 2010 - Were we close?


Project 2010 was launched by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1999 and was based at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. It was intended to bring together the best under-17 players in America to develop under the guidance of coach John Ellinger.

The ultimate goal was to win the 2010 World Cup. Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu and DaMarcus Beasley were part of the program's first class. But in the decade to follow, players of their caliber have been few and far between.

Mike Foss of the USA Today comments on whether Project 2010 was close to fruition, or if it came up significantly short.


Jamie Watson, a forward who joined the residency program in 2002, says there's a drawback for young players trying to break into the professional ranks. "You have to play in games," he said. "You can't just be on the team; you have to play."

After playing at the University of North Carolina, Watson signed with Real Salt Lake at 19. He was with the team for three years. "It wasn't until I left MLS that I started developing," said Watson, who plays for the Austin Aztex, in a division below MLS. "I think it's like that for a lot of residency guys."

The residency program has had success. The USA reached the semifinals of the U-17 World Cup in 1999 and the quarterfinals in 2003 and '05.

Players like Howard, who was not in the program, see its benefits. "I think (Project 2010) was a pipe dream. Are we better off? Definitely. Are we favorites to win the World Cup? I don't think so."

Ellinger says the role of Project 2010 was never to win the World Cup. "Not that many countries have actually won a World Cup," he said. "I always believed the role was to make us competitive and in a position to win a World Cup. If you look at it in those terms, I would say it was a huge success."

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