Assessing the future pros

As the U-17 World Cup wraps up in Peru, the mental notes taken by observers include a bit of fortune-telling. Though wins provide bragging rights to the countries involved, most realize that at the youth stage, the true test of success is whether players can ultimately contribute to the senior ranks. The players involved at the U-17 level are young, yet many of them show flashes of promise that could make them stars on the next level. It takes more than mere skill, however, to become a quality professional - it takes the right mentality.

While the young U.S. national team is still shaking off their jet lag from their return flight after their loss to Holland- the players probably have had enough time to realize that the tournament, where they finished fifth, marked their last outing as a unit. Some will move to pro teams, while others will try their hand at college soccer. Others actually have residency eligibility left.

While in Peru recently, I had a chance to observe the players in every match. While the squad was notable for its teamwork, they will no longer be judged together, but individually, as coaches, scouts, and agents try to assess their potential to be stars.

Unlike the last U-17 team, where it was obvious that Freddy Adu and Jonathan Spector were obvious pro prospects, the U.S., when they played well, worked so smoothly as a team that it was hard to pick specific players out. If anything, though, I think this bodes well for the players' abilities to transition to future teams.

The following five players showed the most potential to join the senior squad:

1. David Arvizu - He came into his own this tournament. Though he didn't score, he created many dangerous chances and unsettled defenders with his control of the ball, quick passes and dribbling ability. It was mostly due to Arvizu that the U.S. no longer displayed an English-derived style of soccer, but a newer amalgam composed of a lot more Latin flair on the ball. Watching Arvizu, I was reminded of the work rate and speed of Cobi Jones, but his dribbling and creative play recalled Tab Ramos.

Competitively, the small, yet stocky, forward has a feisty, battling nature that rallies his teammates on the field. In his videotaped player introduction, it was Arvizu who kissed his U.S. soccer crest and vowed the U.S. would win the World Cup. "Come on!" he added, encouraging his teammates to cheer the statement.

Arvizu would like to play professionally, and will probably declare for the MLS draft after he completes school in December. The Mexican-American expressed a wish to play for Chivas USA, which would keep him near his hometown of Santa Ana.

2. Quavas Kirk - Kirk has already been drafted by the local rivals of Chivas USA, the Los Angeles Galaxy. He had a quiet U-17 tournament, but that isn't really indicative of his potential as he had not fully recovered from breaking his foot. While he was able to show flashes of his athletic ability and strength in beating defenders, his ability to go all-out was limited.

"It gets a little sore, running around on it, if I push it too hard," Kirk explained before the team's match against Holland.

Kirk, at 6'2, is already taller than his soccer hero, Eddie Johnson, and equal in weight. His touch on the ball is quite good and his dribbling skills catch defenders by surprise. Whether he will have the knack for good runs and open-field finishes that has made Johnson a national team sensation will be fun to see.

Kirk also shares a specific playing philosophy with a certain Galaxy teammate, Landon Donovan, already. It was no coincidence that the good-natured forward went on a goalscoring tear after being selected by Los Angeles, as he was feeling confident after having his future secure.

"I play my best relaxed, when I'm having fun," said Kirk.

3. Kyle Nakazawa - In Peru, Nakazawa shared top goal honors for the team, hitting the net twice on screaming free kicks and coming close with others, including one against Holland that could have changed that match completely.

Nakazawa reminds me somewhat of Jovan Kirovski. Like Kirovski, Nakazawa has trained at a prestigious soccer academy, in Holland with Ajax. Both are very talented threats on set pieces, with an enviable ability to bend the ball into goal. Neither beats defenders with pure speed, but with good ball control and smart passing.

4. Ofori Sarkodie - It wasn't only offensive talent that was showcased at the World Cup. U.S. captain Sarkodie was a model of efficiency on the backline throughout the tournament run of the Americans. He always seemed to be where he needed to be, and his steady leadership paced the team, even through all the changes on the defense.

"For me, being the captain of this team is to be a role model on and off the field," said Sarkodie. "When I step on the field I have to be in a certain mentality where mistakes can't happen. I have to hold everyone accountable to their job. As long as I'm doing that, I think I'm filling the role of the captain."

Sarkodie's calm and strength on the ball echo Eddie Pope, despite the size difference (Pope is 6'1, Sarkodie 5'9) between the two. Yet Sarkodie's ability to do what needs to be done included notching the opening goal in the team's victory over Italy.

Sarkodie is well aware that some consider him too short to man his central defender position in the pro ranks.

"I can't control what they think," shrugged Sarkodie, before adding, "But I can also play left back."

5. Nik Besagno - Nik Besagno had a moment of individual glory early this year, when he was picked first by his former youth coach, John Ellinger, in the MLS draft. Regrettably, this placed undue pressure on a talented player that mans a position (defensive midfielder) that takes time to truly play well.

Yet alongside Sarkodie on the backline for the U.S. match against Italy, Besagno was impressive, showcasing a physicality that shut down the middle of the Azzuri attack and proving adept at winning balls both in the air and off the ground. A hard tackle that badly sprained his ankle finished his contribution to the American side in the tournament.

What will test Besagno's patience and work ethic is the fact that he may work long and hard before he proves himself as the next Chris Armas. The transition from dominating players in the youth ranks to doing the same against battle-tested professionals is not easy.

It's also worth keeping an eye on several other prospects who impressed despite limited playing time. Omar Gonzalez remains an intriguing tall prospect, despite his few minutes of play. Josmer Altidore, the youngest on the squad roster, displayed both speed and power in his run against Italy. Neven Subotic could mature into a Greg Berhalter-type of player. Eric Lichaj, who did not even make the tournament roster due to injury, has already drawn interest from abroad. He, like Danny Szetela, may get a Polish passport to make a European move easier.

Finally, aside from assessing individual talent, I have a quick comment on the team as a whole and what they accomplished in Peru. Finishing fifth bettered or tied the record of any other U.S. youth team, except the Donovan-led squad of 1999, which finished one place higher, in fourth. Yet it's arguable that the competition has grown in both prestige and competitiveness since then, as more countries take youth competition seriously and lobby for club teams to release top talent. Even with a backline missing Lichaj, Besagno and Amaechi Igwe (suspension), the U.S. created opportunities in their quarterfinal match against Holland. When a Dutch player tackled Kevin Alston and the defender suffered a broken leg, the defensive adjustment was another obstacle that was eventually insurmountable against the crafty Netherlands squad.

So while it may seem that the U.S. is pegged as the eternal quarterfinalists at whatever level of world competition, I think it bodes well that at every stage, U.S. soccer is proving itself a rival to be reckoned with at the highest level. The breakthrough is bound to happen.

Andrea Canales covers MLS and women's college soccer for ESPN Soccernet.com. She also writes for topdrawersoccer.com and soccer365.com. She can be contacted at soccercanales@yahoo.com