I've been watching the U-20 U.S. squad in Canada and I must say that I am really impressed.
Too often, I have fallen into the trap of looking at the U-20 squad for what "might become of them". This year, I have tried to appreciate the youth squad for what they provide here and now.

To that end, here and how, they are a very exciting team to watch. As with most US teams they are very active to the ball defensively and they possess pace in each third. The big difference between this and prior US youth squads is that these players have managed to implement pace into an overall tactical approach that involves much more than pace alone.

The most exciting thing that they do (as opposed to the senior squad) is attack as a group with determination. Zizzo and Szatela are fast and fearless. Zizzo in particular runs right at defenses - just like Landon Donovan used to do - and creates chances by drawing several defenders with every run. His crosses are usually decent which creates loads of chances.

Most importantly - and where they differ the most from their senior brethren - they FINISH the chances they create. That was never more apparant than against Poland and Brazil. They created only a handful more chances than Poland did but they finished all but one and wound up with a lopsided result.
In the Brazil match, they created far fewer chances than Brazil but they never panicked and the few chances they created were enough to squeak by.

I'm really looking forward to the round of 16 match Wednesday. This time round, I'll be cheering them on to the quarterfinals of this tournament as opposed wondering which of them will help the US at the next World Cup.

must say I have been most impressed by Zizzo. He certainly seems fearless. I like his energy and his crosses have made it easy for the US attack.

Also really think Adu would be a fantastic Right winger. He reminds me of SWP, Pennant and Lennon, give fantastic crosses in and is great off the dribble. I think he is a better finnisher than all 3 of them. But not the best on both sides of the ball. He is much more effective coming from the wing in than he is in CM or as a striker.