U-16 USYNT October Roster Analysis

GK — Connor Dale, Inter Miami
GK – Jason Nemo, Chicago Fire
LB – Seyi Fakiyesi, Atlanta United
RB – Fred Bond, Atlanta United
RB/CB – Jeremiah Munoz, Charlotte FC
CB – Miles Aalbersberg, Ajax
CB – Luca Antongirolami, Sporting Kansas City
CB – Landon Mulvenna, Philadelphia Union
DM – David Ilevbare, Atlanta United
DM – Christopher Morales, Chicago Fire
CM – Abdoulaye Diop, Philadelphia Union
CM – Abraham Prado, LAF
AM – Noe Santillan, Atlanta United
AM – Alex Soria, FC Dallas
AM – Robert Turdean, Chicago Fire
W – Ikenna Chidebe, LA Galaxy
W – Brandon Velez, New England Revolution
W – Blake Wilson, St. Louis City
CF – Jamil Danjaji, Columbus Crew
CF – Da’vian Kimbrough, Sacramento Republic

GK – Jackson Dale, Seattle Sounders
‍Dale has emerged as the clear third option at goalkeeper for this age group and may soon challenge the top two.

RB – Finn McCraney, Chicago Fire
McCraney was the top right-back for a while and featured at the U-15 Concacaf Championship, but it appears the staff is going in a new direction for now.

RB – Dominick Lester, FC Cincinnati
Lester was recently invited to a Jamaica U-17 camp and still hasn’t received a U.S. call-up, which is surprising given his ability.

RB – Christopher Thompson, Philadelphia Union
Thompson was in the last camp but looks to have been edged out by Fred Bond for now.

CB – Joshua Brown, Atlanta United
CB1 in this class is still up for grabs, but Brown might be my current favorite. He’s raw but young (November birthday), athletic, and has major upside. His omission is disappointing after being in the last camp.

CB – Costantino Muscedere, NYCFC
An intriguing center-back who has yet to receive a U.S. call-up but deserves one soon.

CB – Mikel Akinmboni, D.C. United
Still overlooked. He’s not perfect, but his physical profile and upside make continued exclusion hard to justify.

CB – Christian Guillen-Lopez, FC Dallas
Another casualty from the U-15 Concacaf group, though I thought he was the most promising of that center-back cohort.

DM – Nathan Tchoumba, Colorado Rapids
My top prospect in this class. From everything I’ve heard, this appears to be a sporting decision, which is mind-blowing. Passing on a talent like Tchoumba is an indictment of the talent ID process. He’s nearly a 2011 (November birthday) and still clearly among the elite players in this class.

CM/AM – Kamil Castillo, D.C. United
Appears provisionally tied to the Dominican Republic, but the U.S. should be doing everything possible to win him over.

CM – Ezra Mehteme, San Jose Earthquakes
One of the most talented players in this class yet to receive an invite.

CM/W – Matthew Arana, Houston Dynamo
Currently focused on Mexico, and it’s unclear whether the U.S. is pursuing him.

CM –Lisandro Torres, LAFC
Also focused on Mexico, though the U.S. has shown interest.

AM – Mono Martinez, LA Galaxy
Seems fully committed to Mexico at this stage.

AM – Will Recupero, VfB Stuttgart
Once again invited but not released by Stuttgart. It's starting to look like a DFB conspiracy ;)

AM – Eddie Niles, St. Louis City
I like Niles’ game and would have brought him in over some others.

AM/LB – Roman Avakian Gomez, 1. FSV Mainz 05
Given his location, this would’ve been a great opportunity to bring him in.

AM – Vinny Garcia, LA Galaxy
Recently promoted to the 2009 team.

W – Oscar Aviles, D.C. United
Was in the last camp, though there are rumors he isn’t yet eligible. Recently became the third 2010 to sign a homegrown contract.

W – Josh Boney, Barca Residency
Currently injured but should get a look when healthy.

W – Deshneck Nkeh, Orlando City
A dynamic winger who should earn a call-up soon.

W – Theo Hallie II, FC Dallas
Has shown meaningful improvement this year and deserves a chance.

CF/W – Easton Wilson, Real Salt Lake
A breakout performer who’s become a dynamic attacker capable of playing centrally or wide. Needs to be in a camp soon.

CB – Miles Aalbersberg, Ajax
Aalbersberg is the only newcomer and the first European-based player to join the 2010 group, fittingly for their first trip to Europe. I’ve watched a few of his games and like his technical qualities. He can play center-back or defensive mid, operating like a midfielder from the back line. Defending might not be his favorite part of the job, but his size and skill combo is intriguing.

The exclusion of Nathan Tchoumba is shocking and heavily influences this grade. Unless there’s a character issue—which I’ve never heard of—it’s a baffling decision.

That said, there are positives. Longtime favorites Abdoulaye Diop and David Ilevbare finally got the call, which is great news for the midfield. Both are high-upside, well-rounded players and reportedly great kids. The striker duo of Da'vian Kimbrough and Jamil Danjaji is also exciting—Danjaji has been in strong form and Kimbrough’s back-to-back U.S. call-ups (after time with Mexico) are encouraging.

Chidebe and Turdean return after strong U-15 Concacaf campaigns, and both remain among the top talents in the class. I’m also pleased to see Connor Dale back from injury, as well as the inclusions of Fakiyesi, Bond, Mulvenna, and Velez. Fakiyesi is the only viable USYNT left-back in this class, Bond adds defensive solidity, Mulvenna offers toughness and distribution, and Velez has versatility to play wide, midfield, or left-back.

Overall, the goalkeeper and striker groups are strengths, and a midfield of Ilevbare–Diop–Turdean would be dynamic. The back line remains a concern, but Aalbersberg and Mulvenna could be upgrades. Outside of Ilevbare and Diop, the midfield lacks physicality and the wings could still improve.