To add to this, the US as the host has an auto bid to the Olympics. We don’t have to worry about qualification and so we have more freedom to experiment with players and team construction in the lead up to the Games. A big part of this is trying out players and getting them senior level reps. We have holes on this roster due to retirements etc and this is how we are working out how to address them.
Points taken. I should have been more clear, I was referring to the 27-28 cycle that Dejan talked about in different settings.
I just don’t understand how there is no one (other than Larsen) from the recent college graduate pipeline playing on this team. The last 2-3 NCAA seasons have had some great USA players that are much better than some of the high school/college players on the team and in my opinion, seem like a better fit. I just don’t believe that all of them were not interested in being on the national team.
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I think there are a number of factors. No one disputes that younger talent needs to be nutured. The question is how is this your talent being tapped for consideration. It is an open fact that not every player in recent consideration is there for strict merit. While that may make some political or financial sense when it comes to USAWP, the larger polo world is not swayed. Not only does WaterPolo ask a great question about what happened to the last 2-3-4 years of talent, but even with the current talent being considered the question might reasonably be asked. We have all seen in the past, how college players can completely dominate at that level and then use that as a spring board for the Nat team. But now we have situations where college players may only be the 3 or 4 th best player on their current college team. How is this happening? And again, once these players have graduated, does anyone think they are talented enough to be considered over in Europe , not to mention stick it out for 4 years for the 2032 cycle?
I understand giving new players opportunities- and that is how teams get built. My problem is with who gets invited to try out. Where are the top players from the past 5 years-the class of 23, 24, 25,26? The college players who have been trying out for over a year aren’t even the top players on their college team. Dejan needs to widen the focus. I get the sense these young guys are trying out for 32, not 28. If there are only going to be a few spots available in 28 why not try men out for the role, instead of boys. Why not put together the best team for now not for 6-8 years down the line? Beyond the olympians ( dodds, Vavic, Irving, daube) currently playing-only one looks promising for 28- the lefty. Everything in the center needs to be reevaluated. I feel like anyone could put together a team with players from just the past five years that would easily handle this team now. And if playing in Europe were a key, then where are players who have spent time there? I was shocked to learn how many have gone abroad yet are not considered, but high schoolers and good but not great college players are? Make it make sense!
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I am grateful to Dejan for helping NT players to find placement overseas. It started with Bowen and was not very fancy/ easy. If you remember, Bowen signed with a middle of the table Hungarian league club. Specifically, he came to the club (Miskolc) that finished 10th in the Hungarian league in 2016 and stayed around 5th-7th during Bowen’ s time there. It was not Fradi, Szolnik, or Eger… Then, one by one, other US players followed in his footsteps.
However, this is almost the only thing I am grateful to Dejan for. Yes, the bronze in 2024 was very nice and the win in the 3rd place game over Hungary was special. But the current Olympic circle was supposed to be different because of the home Olympics. Jett, Connor, and other talented 17-20 year olds were supposed to fight for maybe one last spot on the team, if they had been lucky. Instead, we have too many holes that we will have to fill with kids with very limited international experience.
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One of the most obvious positions needs to be and should be filled is at set by Tyler Anderson , big lefty and I’m surprised not to see him picked up for these friendly scrimmages!
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Did you see him play defense? Any examples of world-class centers that need to be subbed every possession?
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Tyler A is an absolute monster on offense. He was the MVP at the Youth World Championships in Portugal. He’s very good compared to his age group, and looking forward to watching him play in college. If you pair him with a fast team, then he can live sub (which USMNT is already doing) and save him from having to play defense, and taking exclusions. Ross was on to something and it seemed to work.
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If the goal is to compete with Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Spain, and Italy, in Olympic levels the U.S. has to develop dominant two-meter players—especially after Bowen and Ben’s retirement—not continue accepting average center play because we are overly focused on whether a center can defend every possession.
Tyler is wjat approximately 6’5”, 300 pounds???, and lefty. Nearly every other ball he gets on his hand, results in a 6-on-5, a five-meter penalty, or a goal. That is exactly what an elite center is supposed to produce.
When a player generates that level of offensive efficiency, you accept some defensive limitations and manage his minutes accordingly. That is precisely why live substitution exists.
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You read that Ben retired?
Hallock didn’t need to play much defense at the Paris Olympics due to live subs and they did just fine.
Hes what, 17? Out of all the high schoolers on the USA Senior National team, I think Anderson is a lot more promising.
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Good question. I should have been more specific—I was referring to Bowen. As for Ben, I know he’s back at Stanford as an assistant coach, I haven’t seen him play professionally (done with Pro Recco) nor with the national team in quite a while. Hopefully he hasn’t retired, because he’s still one of the best centers in the world but it sure feels like a very long break for waterpolo! My point was simply that the U.S. needs to keep developing the next dominant center now rather than waiting until there’s a vacancy. Tyler has the physical tools and offensive production to become that player.
It is very hard for a center to make a mark at the international scene at a very young age. Hallock did not do much at Rio at the age of 18 (almost 19, if I am not mistaken), even though his great potential was evident to everybody.
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Not sure why my post was flagged and removed earlier..
Just wanted to tell people that All Access Water Polo podcast on Spotify is back (not my podcast or anything I’m affiliated with but in my opinion one of the best water polo podcasts I’ve ever listened to) and the new interviews with Brian Flacks, Chase Dodd and Obert are great. Highly recommend giving them a listen!
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