While the MLS stars of the present prepare to strut their stuff on Thursday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, some aspiring stars for the future are in Denver putting on a show of their own.
The inaugural SUM U-17 Cup completed its semifinals Tuesday night with the Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United prevailing to reach the Thursday morning championship game. The Wizards got it done when Christian Duke scored on a free kick in the 77th minute for a 3-2 victory against the Columbus Crew. D.C. United was locked in a 1-1 tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy when William Bioh erupted with two goals to secure a 3-1 victory.
The winner of the D.C. United-Kansas City game will earn a trip to Spain for the 2008 Torneo Quixote, an internationally renowned youth tournament. But the immediate focus for Tuesday's survivors is simply soaking in the atmosphere that surrounds the 2007 MLS All-Star Game. The tournament finalists will have the added treat of watching the training session of the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday.
The semifinals were played on lush fields in the backdrop of Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Heady stuff for the under-17 crowd.
"My dream is to play on that field against the Colorado Rapids," Duke said.
Scoring the game-winner in the semifinals was just one of the happy memories that Duke will take home from the Rocky Mountain State.
"It's amazing," Duke said. "You've got the All-Star Game, great treatment, a phenomenal atmosphere. We try so hard, training day in and day out. It's a great experience for young kids."
Bioh echoed those sentiments after leading D.C. United to the tournament final.
"It motivates me to work even harder, so I could come to play in the future," Bioh said.
Bioh keeps a close eye on the MLS and one guy in particular intrigues him.
"Eddie Johnson," Bioh said. "He's my favorite player."
The players had to battle through difficult wind conditions through the first half of their respective games. Alfonso Mondelo, the league's technical director of player programs, gave an approving nod as he kept tabs on both games.
"I'm very impressed with the quality of play, especially considering the wind," Mondelo said.
Among those in attendance at the semifinals were MLS Commissioner Don Garber; Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis; SUM President Doug Quinn; MLS President Mark Abbott; two-time World Cup player Wilmer Cabrera and Marco Etcheverry, the former MLS player and front-office executive with D.C. United.
"This is very unique and very special for these kids," D.C. United coach John Maessner said. "Having an event like this is just the start of what we're trying to do in this country."
Kansas City coach Paul Rideout said his players have been savoring each day of the tournament.
"The kids get here and they just can't believe it," Rideout said. "From the facilities to the way we've been treated. The MLS has been superb and now these kids are living a dream. Game by game, you listen to these boys in the back of the van and they're talking about how everything has been done so well. It makes them realize what professional soccer is all about."
Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
