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The 2009 Under-20 World Cup is still almost a year away but it isn't too early to start thinking about the U.S. Under-20 team that will look to improve on the 2007 tournament performance that saw Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore lead the Americans to the quarterfinals.

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It was about 10 months ago when most U.S. national team fans first saw or heard about Carlos Martinez.

The young Under-17 national team player wowed spectators with his two game-winning goals in last winter's Nike Friendlies and eager and overzealous fans began penciling him in as one of the potential stars of the national team program even though he was just 15 at the time.

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Good afternoon folks. With another week in the rearview mirror, and another weekend upon us where we can relax and enjoy some soccer, here is a look back at some stories I missed during the week, some hot topics I wanted to touch on and some recommended reading:

The San Jose-Houston Dynamo match set for this weekend has been postponed as Houston recovers from Hurricane Ike.

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The U.S. Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, Florida has produced many of the best players in American soccer and the next crop of would-be Freddy Adus, Jozy Altidores and Michael Bradleys is set to be revealed.

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Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu will replace Derby County midfielder Benny Feilhaber on the U.S. national team roster that will face England at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, sources told SBI on Thursday.

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Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu will replace Derby County midfielder Benny Feilhaber on the U.S. national team roster that will face England at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, sources told SBI on Thursday.

Red Bulls youth prospect Matt Kassel was one of 18 players selected to take part in a U.S. Under-20 national team camp in Manchester, England next week. The U.S. team will play friendlies against the reserve teams from Bolton (May 7), Manchester United (May 8) and Liverpool (May 10).

Also on the squad are former U.

Eric Avila, the UCSB midfielder who helped lead the Gauchos to the 2006 NCAA College Cup title, is close to signing a deal with Major League Soccer.

According to MLS sources, the skillful midfielder is set to forego his senior season of college and is considering a Generation adidas contract that would make him one of the most highly-coveted players in the 2008 MLS Draft.