Shane O'Neill Receives US Men's National Team U-20's Call Up

The Colorado Rapids announced on Monday that homegrown midfielder/forward Shane O'Neill has received a call up to the US Men's National Team's U-20 squad. O'Neill, unlike fellow young Rapids prospect Dillon Serna, had not spent much time with the national team prior to now. He has done well in the few minutes he has received from Colorado since being signed to a full-time contract, so there should be no complaints having him in the discussion.

O'Neill will be with the United States, playing in the Spain-based Marbella Cup, from October 6th through the 17th. His absence will keep him out of Colorado's game against San Jose on Saturday, but no others as the team has until the 20th off following the Quakes match.

From the Rapids press release:

"Shane has continued to develop a great deal since he signed with us in June, and we're excited for him to get a chance with the U.S. U-20's," said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. "His hard work and dedication are a testament to what young players in our system can achieve, and we wish both him and the U.S. the best of luck in Spain."

I'm happy to see him being inserted into the US system, he's shown tons of potential from what we've seen and we all know that this country can always use more superbly talented players getting stuck in. Being born in Ireland, he will have the chance to go and play in Green as well if he so chooses in the future.

Doesn't hurt that we haven't seen many Rapids players in the national team discussion since the heyday of Pablo Mastroeni wearing the red, white and blue.