The 2009 age group begins its first camp of the 2025–26 United States Youth National Team cycle. They are labeled the U-17s, which makes sense within the cycle, but can be confusing since the upcoming U-17 World Cup features the 2008 age group. Regardless, this talented class now starts its journey toward a U-17 World Cup, which is now held annually.
The roster
GK – Tobias Szewczyk, New York Red Bulls (#12 2009 prospect)
GK – James Donaldson, Atlanta United (#19 2009 prospect)
GK – Matthew White, Philadelphia Union
RB – Nash Dearmin, Inter Miami
RB – Christian Wygant, FC Dallas
RB/CB – Daniel Barrett, Houston Dynamo
CB – Tyson Espy, Orange County SC (#7 2009 prospect)
CB – Ethan Degny, OGC Nice
CB/LB – Liam Vejrostek, FC Dallas (#20 2009 prospect)
CB/LB – Liam Devan, Nashville SC
LB – Prince Forfor, Columbus Crew (#8 2009 prospect)
DM – Jacob Ramirez, Orlando City
DM – Luke Chamberlain, Austin FC
CM – KK Spivey, San Jose Earthquakes (#3 2009 prospect)
CM – Lukas Bruegmann, TSG Hoffenheim
CM – Roko Pehar, Chicago Fire
AM – Paul Sokoloff, New York Red Bulls
AM – Will Ostrander, PSV
WING – Makai Wells, New England Revolution (#9 2009 prospect)
WING – Mattheo Dimareli, Houston Dynamo
WING – Rylan Hashimoto, Real Salt Lake
WING – Max Steelman, LA Galaxy
CF – Malik Jakupovic, Philadelphia Union (#6 2009 prospect)
CF – Aaron Medina, LA Galaxy
Top eligible players not on the roster
GK, Marcelo Avalos, San Jose Earthquakes (#10 2009 prospect)
I believe Avalos will be with Mexico during this time. Avalos is one of my top keepers for this age group, but the United States appears to be losing this recruiting battle.
GK, Philipp Eckle, FC Augsburg
I have only seen a little bit of Eckle, but he looks like a really good keeper prospect and that is validated by his consistent inclusion with the Germany Youth National Teams. I am not sure how much the United States are trying to recruit him, but Germany appears to be the favorite for now.
GK, Leonard Prescott, Bayern Munich
Prescott is another that seems to be highly rated by Germany and Bayern Munich but has not been in a United States camp. From what I have seen, I rate Eckle a little higher, but Prescott looks to have good upside.
RB, Alexito Gomez, New York Red Bulls
Gomez was the first choice right-back during the U-15 cycle for this age group, but seems to have dropped in the depth chart.
RB/LB, Linkon Ream, Real Salt Lake (#15 2009 prospect)
Ream finally attended his first team camp last cycle, but has not been invited back. He would be in my top three full-back group.
DM, Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls (#5 2009 prospect)
Mehmeti has not been in a USYNT camp in over a year. There are conflicting reports on why that it is. I am not going to guess anymore.
DM, Caleb Simmons, New York Red Bulls
I like Simmons as an option for this team, but he has not yet been invited to a camp. He has interest from Puerto Rico.
DM, Peter Molinari, NYCFC
Molinari has been a fairly consistent option for this group and I like what I have seen from him in MLS NEXT Pro this year. It’s possible NYCFC did not release him and prefer he stays with their second team.
CM, Gustavo Borges, Eintracht Frankfurt
Borges is a big talent, but has not been to a USYNT team camp. Hopefully U.S. Soccer keeps a close eye on him in Germany this year and he gets an invite this cycle.
CM, Judah Siqueira, New England Revolution (#13 2010 prospect)
Siqueira is another player that has yet to attend a USYNT team camp. That needs to change soon in my opinion. He is a dynamic option as an eight.
CM, Desmond Kumih-Barimah, Bristol City
I have not seen Kumih-Barimah in a full 90, but his highlights suggest a Youth National Team level player. Hopefully U.S. Soccer are aware of him and bring him into a camp at some point.
AM, Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union (#1 2009 prospect)
Sullivan plays with the 2008 USYNT
AM, Ademar Chavez, FC Cincinnati
Chavez is one of the better attacking-kids in this age group.
Wing, Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund (#2 2009 prospect)
Albert plays with the 2008 USYNT
WING, Manu Romero, Real Madrid (#4 2009 prospect)
Romero was just getting back late last season from a significant lower body injury. Before that, he was a consistent call up by U.S. Soccer whenever the team was playing in Europe. It’s not clear whether he is not here because he wasn’t released, wasn’t selected or not fit. The Spanish academy season has not yet started so I am not sure if he is ready to go.
Wing, Darris Hyte, Chicago Fire (#18 2009 prospect)
Hyte is a good option at winger, not clear why he is not here.
Wing, Omar Hassan, Seattle Sounders (#14 2009 prospect)
Hassan is starting consistently for Seattle’s second team. It’s likely he was not released to focus there.
Wing, Kashan Hines, Sporting KC (#17 2009 prospect)
I really like Hines’ game and he is one of the top players from this age group who has not attended a team camp.
Wing, Kairo Smith-Phillips, Crystal Palace
Smith-Phillips attended one team camp last cycle, but not been back since, signaling that maybe he didn’t show well or maybe he has not been released. It can be difficult to get players released from European clubs, especially if the camps are not in Europe.
CF, Zidane Cadet, Inter Miami (#11 2009 prospect)
Cadet seems to have fallen down the striker depth chart though I still think he is one of the top two or three strikers in this class.
CF, Van Parker, Real Salt Lake (#16 2009 prospect)
Parker is a hot name right now after a really good spring season in MLS NEXT. Right now, it looks like he is leaning towards Canada. I believe he has been invited to a few recent U.S. camps, but Canada is offering him a spot at the upcoming U-17 World Cup and it’s not looking like the United States are going to be able to overcome that.
Player receiving first camp
GK – Matthew White, Philadelphia UnionMoved from San Jose to Philadelphia this offseason, essentially swapping spots with Marcelo Avalos.
RB – Christian Wygant, FC DallasVersatile fullback with experience on both flanks.
CB – Ethan Degny, OGC NiceOne of the top center backs of his class while at Atlanta United, though never capped then. Reportedly thriving at Nice, playing up age groups. Could form a strong partnership with Tyson Espy.
DM – Luke Chamberlain, Austin FCImpressed last year with his deep-lying playmaking ability.
WING – Makai Wells, New England RevolutionOne of my top
50 USMNT prospects and among the best uncalled players in the pool. Moved from Barca Residency to New England this offseason—arguably the most impactful academy move of the year. Expect him to turn heads.
WING – Rylan Hashimoto, Real Salt LakeA smooth, left-footed inverted winger. Not explosive, but excellent technically. Key performer for RSL’s U-16 side that won both GA Cup and MLS NEXT Cup.
Roster grade: B+
There’s a lot to like here. The inclusions of Wells and Degny are huge—two players I’ve long wanted in the mix. They should raise the ceiling of this group. It’s also great to see core talents like Szewczyk, Espy, Forfor, Spivey, and Jakupovic.
The midfield remains a concern. Borges and Siqueira, in particular, need to get looks, as both could elevate the group’s quality. The winger pool also feels thin—I’d like to see Romero back soon, and there are others who might provide more attacking spark. At striker, I think Cadet deserves another chance.
Overall, though, this is a well-balanced roster. The construction is logical, and the inclusion of six first-time call-ups shows exactly the kind of experimentation needed at this stage.
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