danny szetela

Danny Szetela (born June 7, 1987 in Passaic, New Jersey), is an American soccer player, currently one of the best young players in the world. He plays for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. Szetela graduated from USSF's Bradenton Academy in 2003 and burst onto the world's stage during the Under-17 World Cup in Finland. The second-youngest player on the United States roster, he started every game for Americans. A number of top European sides, including Everton and Manchester City were trying to sign the young phehom, but Szetela decided to sign a Project-40 contract with MLS instead. Unfortunately for Szetela, his desire to play for the hometown MetroStars went unfulfilled. Unlike what MLS did with another youngster, Freddy Adu, they refused to let Danny pick his team, instead putting him into a league-wide lottery, won by Columbus. Szetela, reluctunt to go to Ohio at first, accepted his fate. Joining in midseason, Szetela appeared eight regular season and two playoff games, while recording a solitary assist. Although he did not make a significant impact on the Supporters' Shield winners, his late-season efforts certainly proved that, even at 17, he is a solid MLS player and exceptional prospect.

Danny Szetela

See also