James Sands has led USA’s defensive line at the U-17 World Cup.
Imagine being 16 and impressing the World Cup-winning coach of the club whose academy you play with, enough for him to draft you as the first homegrown player of that club in your country’s top division.
Imagine being then named in the squad for your club alongside two other World Cup winners, and being an option for coming on in midfield in place of one of the most influential playmakers of his generation.
And also imagine, less than a month on, leading your country’s defensive line at the U-17…
Michael Bradley and Bruce Arena look ahead to their Gold Cup match against El Salvador, in Philadelphia.
Colorado Rapids keeper Tim Howard insists that the United States will qualify for the next World Cup.