Toby Szewczyk (New York Red Bulls), James Donaldson (Atlanta United), Marcelo Avalos (San Jose Earthquakes), Philipp Eckle (FC Augsburg), Matthew White (Philadelphia Union)

Szewczyk seems to be the clear number one right now and I have no issue with that. Donaldson looks like the number two. Avalos is a big loss here — it appears he’ll be Mexico’s number one for this age group after the U.S. didn’t recruit him particularly well the last couple of years. White appears to be the number three, but I don’t really see him as a YNT-level keeper. I’d love to see U.S. Soccer recruit Eckle, who isn’t provisionally tied to Germany and could add real competition for Szewczyk and Donaldson. Overall, it’s a solid group.

Prince Forfor (Columbus Crew), Manu Romero (Real Madrid)

Not much mystery here. Forfor is the clear top option, but he’s missed the last couple of camps with injury. If he’s fit, he’s the guy. Romero has been the second option, but his stock is falling. He looked fantastic as a U-15, but he hasn’t developed much physically, doesn’t look as dynamic going forward, and continues to be a defensive liability. Two players listed as center-backs — Liam Vejrostek and Liam Devan — can also cover left-back at a good level.

Linkon Ream (Real Salt Lake), Nash Dearmin (Inter Miami), Alexito Gomez (New York Red Bulls), Jack Francka (Sporting Kansas City), Daniel Barrett (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Chadwick (Ipswich Town), Joshua Wilbrenninck (Feyenoord)

This position brings the biggest questions — a lot of options, all with different profiles. The incumbent has been Barrett, but he hasn’t been convincing. He defends pretty well, but he’s extremely basic on the ball. If he were a lockdown defender you could live with that, but he hasn’t shown elite defending to offset it.

My favorite options right now are Ream and Dearmin. Ream is undersized but can play both full-back spots at a high level, is reliable defensively, and adds value going forward. Dearmin has electric pace, good defensive instincts, and helps in the build-up. He’s not great in the final third, but he’s probably the most complete option today.

Francka is one of the most compelling players in the pool. He’s new to the position — he played mostly as a 6/8 during his U-15 year, then as a center-back last year, and now primarily plays right-back. It’s still a work in progress, but there’s a lot to like: flashes of defensive dominance, great service and set-piece value, and a strong physical profile. Definitely one to watch.

Chadwick is solid across the board and known as a good leader.

Gomez was a favorite during the U-15 cycle but has fallen out of favor; I still like him.

Wilbrenninck has made Netherlands youth teams but isn’t provisionally tied, so he’s an option — though I’m not sure he’s clearly better than others here.

I expect Aldaz and his staff to take a long look at this position between now and qualifying.

Tyson Espy (Orange County), Astin Mbaye (AC Milan), Liam Vejrostek (FC Dallas), Ethan Degny (Nice), Liam Devan (Nashville), Caleb Trombino (Orlando City), Mateo McLean (LA Galaxy), Gianmarco Di Noto (Columbus Crew)

This should be a strength. Espy, Mbaye, and Vejrostek look like the early favorites, with Espy my top center-back prospect in the class. Degny is another strong option with a very good defensive profile. Devan is left-footed and brings the versatility to play CB or LB. McLean and Di Noto haven’t been around recently but could be reconsidered. Trombino hasn’t had many looks, but I rate him highly — he can also provide cover at the 6.

Adri Mahmeti (New York Red Bulls), Landry Walker (San Antonio FC), Peter Molinari (NYCFC), Jacob Ramirez (Orlando City), Caleb Simmons (New York Red Bulls)

Mahmeti towers over this group, but it’s been well over a year since his last camp. And with him competing for first-team minutes next year, availability is a real question — though never say never.

Walker impressed in the last camp and really helped himself. Molinari and Ramirez have been the other recent options. Both are stronger on the ball than against it, whereas Walker is more defensive-minded. Simmons hasn’t been capped yet, but outside Mahmeti, I think he has the most upside in this group.

KK Spivey (San Jose Earthquakes), Lukas Bruegmann (Hoffenheim), Judah Siqueira (New England Revolution), Gustavo Borges (Eintracht Frankfurt), Xander Newstead (Ajax), Roko Pehar (Chicago Fire)

Spivey is one of the stars of the team. Behind him, there are real questions. Of the recent call-ups, I prefer Bruegmann — he has good size and real value on the ball. Newstead and Pehar have been involved but haven’t had a major impact.Mahmeti towers over this group, but it’s been well over a year since his last camp. And with him competing for first-team minutes next year, availability is a real question — though never say never.

I’m begging U.S. Soccer to give Siqueira a chance. After transitioning from wing to midfield midway through last season, he’s looked fantastic there.

Guga Borges is a huge talent, but he must be dealing with a significant injury — he’s played only 33 minutes for Eintracht Frankfurt’s U-17s this year.

Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Jai Bansoodeb (Brentford), Ademar Chávez (FC Cincinnati), Willy Ferreira (Philadelphia Union), Paul Sokoloff (New York Red Bulls), Vincente Garcia (LA Galaxy)

Sullivan is the dream for this team, but probably just that — a dream. He’s eligible, but he’ll likely be on to bigger things. Sokoloff and Garcia have been the most consistent selections. U.S. Soccer seems committed to playing Garcia up an age even though he’s not fully there physically. Chávez and Ferreira have been involved but not recently; Chávez in particular should probably still be in the mix and may end up with Mexico. Bansoodeb is a name I’m very intrigued by — a bigger attacking mid with great technique who just joined Brentford’s academy.

Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund), Myles Gardner (Houston Dynamo), Omar Hassan (Seattle Sounders), Makai Wells, Cyrus Kowall (Phoenix Rising), Kashan Hines (Sporting Kansas City), Darris Hyte (Chicago Fire), Kairo Smith-Phillips (Crystal Palace), Maximus Steelman (LA Galaxy), Mattheo Dimareli (Houston Dynamo), Will Ostrander (PSV)

Albert, like Sullivan, is a dream scenario. Gardner has emerged as a top option and can also cover right-back. Wells is another player who has risen quickly. Hassan has been out injured since early September and his timeline is unclear.Spivey is one of the stars of the team. Behind him, there are real questions.

Beyond those three, there’s a big group of names who’ve been in the mix: Hyte, Steelman, Dimareli, and Ostrander. Kowall, Hines, and Smith-Phillips are three I’d love to see get chances.

Malik Jakupovic (Philadelphia Union), Zidane Cadet (Inter Miami), Matthias Vieux (Inter Miami), Aaron Medina (LA Galaxy), James Bilden (NYCFC)

Jakupovic is a star, but the depth behind him is murky. I still like Cadet the most, but it’s been a while since he’s been in camp. Vieux and Medina have had opportunities but haven’t convinced. Bilden got one camp.

This is a very strong class, even without its two superstars — Sullivan and Albert, who were the best U.S. players at this year’s U-17 World Cup while playing up an age group.

The team would get a huge boost if Adri Mahmeti reprioritizes the USYNT, but that’s far from guaranteed. Otherwise, the group is led by Espy, Forfor, Spivey, Gardner, and Jakupovic.

The center-back and goalkeeper units should offer real solidity, with Forfor anchoring the left side. A winger group of Gardner, Hassan, and Wells could be dynamic, and Jakupovic gives you goals.

The biggest concerns right now are right-back, midfield depth, and the backup nine. That’s where Aldaz needs to broaden the pool and experiment. Thankfully, there are plenty of talented players who haven’t yet been given a chance.