Goalkeeper – Diego Kochen, FC Barcelona on loan to Lyngby Boldklub (2006)
Age at next World Cup: 24
The more obvious choice here is Chris Brady, who's on this World Cup team and a more established first-team player, but I'm trusting my eyes and going with Kochen. Kochen's finally getting his chance to play first-team football. He'll have a big job to do for newly promoted Lyngby Boldklub in the Danish first tier. If he's able to establish himself, which I believe he will, I think he has a chance to bring the goalkeeper spot back to being a position of strength for the USMNT for the next decade-plus. He has truly elite shot-stopping and distribution ability.
Left-back – Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (2007)
Age at next World Cup: 22
The succession plan for Jedi Robinson is murky, and while there are a lot of talented young options, none are waiting in the wings just yet. Peyton Miller's probably the most promising young left-back in the pool. He's been a starter in MLS the last couple of seasons, and a big move to Europe seems likely in the next year. He's got a ways to go, but if he develops well and stays healthy, there could be a clean handoff from Robinson to Miller at left-back.
Right-back – Frankie Westfield, Philadelphia Union (2005)
Age at next World Cup: 24
Right-back has become one of the deepest positions in the USMNT pool. Alex Freeman looks like he'll have a stranglehold on the position for years to come, but Westfield may become a very good number two, though he'll have to fight with veterans Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah and Joe Scally, who'll only be 27 at the next World Cup.
Center-back – Neil Pierre, Philadelphia Union (2007)
Age at next World Cup: 22
The USMNT backline is in dire need of guys who are no-nonsense business handlers. Pierre is the best business handler in the youth pool at the moment. He's highly proficient in duels, both on the ground and in the air, and he can be truly dominant in the air. His passing ability, in terms of nuance and range, is also a strength. If he can get a little better at defending in space and playing out of tight pressure, he could be a serious upgrade at center-back. He's back with Philadelphia Union after a successful loan to Lyngby Boldklub. His former second-team coach at Philadelphia Union, Ryan Richter, is now the club's interim head coach, and I expect that to mean Pierre will finally get his chance with the first team.
Noahkai Banks was the more obvious choice, but assuming reports are accurate that he turned down a national team camp invite while weighing a switch to Germany, I'm choosing not to count on him going forward.
Defensive-midfielder – Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls (2009)
Age at next World Cup: 21
This was the easiest selection to make. I wouldn't be surprised if Mehmeti became a lock starter for this team by the next World Cup. He's a year or two away from a big move to Europe and has all the tools and maturity to become a key piece very quickly.
Box-to-box midfielder – Rokas Pukstas, Hajduk Split (2004)
Age at next World Cup: 25
The pipeline of high-level box-to-box midfielders is surprisingly thin. I went with Pukstas, who I think will become a more commonly appreciated player soon. He's been linked to several clubs in Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League. He doesn't get a lot of hype because he's been playing in Croatia, where USMNT fans can't typically watch him. I think a move to a more commonly viewed European league is imminent, and once fans get to know him better, they'll see a future USMNT player. He's got some similarities to Weston McKennie in that he covers a ton of ground, brings a lot of versatility and delivers value in the final third.
Attacking-midfielder – Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union (2009)
Age at next World Cup: 20
Most people who follow the men's side of U.S. Soccer are probably familiar with Sullivan as the most hyped prospect in the youth pool. He's progressing at a nice rate and becoming a regular starter in MLS. He's on a trajectory that suggests he'll be an impactful piece for the next World Cup.
I couldn't leave one of these guys out, so we're going with two players at winger, which the pool really needs.
Winger – Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (2007)
Age at next World Cup: 23
I don't know how close Gozo was to making this World Cup roster, but it felt like he was close. Nonetheless, he's on the brink of a big move to Europe, and if he stays healthy and adapts well to the increased level, he'll become a USMNT regular very quickly.
Winger – Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund (2009)
Age at next World Cup: 21
Albert isn't as close to the senior team as Gozo, but he's already made his Bundesliga debut and could emerge quickly. Given the lack of proven, in-their-prime winger options, once he becomes a consistent first-team player, he'll get his chance with the senior team.
Center-forward – Julian Hall, New York Red Bulls (2008)
Age at next World Cup: 22
Hall's having a breakout MLS season and looks like an exciting striker prospect for the future. I expect him to keep developing in MLS for another season or two before making his move to Europe. Hall will have to break into a striker group with proven players who still have their primes ahead of them — Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.
