GK — Keller Abbott, Columbus Crew
GK — James Donaldson, Atlanta United
GK — Matthew White, Philadelphia Union
LB — Prince Forfor, Columbus Crew
RB — Daniel Barrett, Houston Dynamo
RB — Edward Chadwick, Unattached
CB — Tyson Espy, Orange County
CB — Astin Mbaye, AC Milan
CB — Liam Vejrostek, FC Dallas
DM — Peter Molinari, NYCFC
DM — Landry Walker, San Antonio FC
CM — Roko Pehar, Chicago Fire
CM — KK Spivey, San Jose Earthquakes
AM — Vincente Garcia, LA Galaxy (2010)
AM — Paul Sokoloff, New York Red Bulls
W — Mattheo Dimareli, Houston Dynamo
W — Myles Gardner, Houston Dynamo
W — William Ostrander, PSV
W — Maximus Steelman, LA Galaxy
CF — Malik Jakupovic, Philadelphia Union
CF — Aaron Medina, LA Galaxy

This roster is expected and largely fine. Forfor, Espy, Spivey, and Jakupovic are all top prospects in this age group.

Given the timing of the tournament and the level of competition, it is fair to ask whether some of the top players would have been better served staying with their clubs for preseason training, particularly those already integrated with first or second teams.

Gardner and Mbaye are also top-15 players in the 2009 class and should be impact players throughout this cycle. Vincente Garcia is the lone 2010-born player on the roster and remains one of my top 50 overall USMNT prospects.

This tournament is a provisionally cap-tying event. Any dual-national who appears will be provisionally tied to the United States. The most significant dual-nationals in the group are Garcia (also eligible for Mexico), Gardner (Jamaica), and Jakupovic (Bosnia). A future switch would require a one-time change of association and would permanently tie the player to the new country, barring rare exceptions.

I was glad to see Landry Walker included. He was excellent against England a few months ago and outperformed several other defensive midfielders who have been tested with this group.

Overall, this is a seasoned roster. Every player has been in multiple camps and featured in matches. While I would prefer more experimentation as preparation ramps up for the World Cup later this year, I understand Aldaz’s decision to rely on familiarity to get through qualification cleanly.

Right back has been a problem position for this group, yet the same profiles continue to be rolled out. Alternate Nash Dearmin would have been my top choice. His speed, ball carrying, and defensive range make him a more complete option than either selected right back, in my view. I also would have liked to see players such as Linkon Ream, who can play both fullback roles, or Xito Gomez.

At striker, the drop-off behind Jakupovic is significant. Zidane Cadet remains the top alternative for me, but he has not been in the group for quite some time.

GK — Marcelo Avalos, San Jose Earthquakes (will be with Mexico)
GK — Leonard Prescott, Bayern Munich (likely prefers Germany)
GK — Toby Szewczyk, New York Red Bulls (likely not released)
LB — Prince Forfor, Columbus Crew
RB — Nash Dearmin, Inter Miami (alternate)
RB — Linkon Ream, Real Salt Lake
CB — Ethan Degny, Nice
CB — Tyson Espy, Orange County
CB — Astin Mbaye, AC Milan
CB — Liam Vejrostek, FC Dallas
DM — Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls (likely unavailable)
DM — Landry Walker, San Antonio FC
CM — Judah Siqueira, New England Revolution
CM — KK Spivey, San Jose Earthquakes
AM — Ademar Chavez, FC Cincinnati
AM — Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union
W — Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund
W — Myles Gardner, Houston Dynamo
W — Omar Hassan, Seattle Sounders (injured)
CF — Zidane Cadet, Inter Miami
CF — Malik Jakupovic, Philadelphia Union

This was an interesting thought experiment to identify what the very best 21-player roster could look like for this age group. By U.S. Soccer standards, it would be an exceptional collection of talent.

There would be a complete turnover at goalkeeper. Avalos has committed to Mexico and will likely be provisionally tied in this same tournament. Prescott is a blue-chip prospect and Germany’s top option at this age level. He's likely not super interest in the U.S. project right now, but every effort should be made to engage him. Szewczyk, the most realistic candidate to be this team’s long-term number one, was likely either not released or not ready to be tied, as he still has a decision to make between the United States and Poland.

At center back, most of the top candidates are already present, though I would have liked to see Degny included.

In midfield, Mehmeti’s continued absence is notable. He would be a clear upgrade at the six if available. Siqueira remains a player I rate far higher than U.S. Soccer appears to; he still has not received a camp invite.

In attack, Sullivan and Albert are the crown jewel prospects of this age group. Both were stars in the last U-17 cycle and are widely considered beyond this level at this point. Neither will feature in this campaign despite being age eligible.

Of the ideal 21, eight are in the current roster.

Many players have already been explored in this age group, but several quality prospects have yet to receive a camp invite. With the next MLS Next Pro season approaching, players will emerge and force difficult decisions. Players I would like to see brought in for the first time: 

‍GK — Philipp Eckle, FC Augsburg
Previously involved with Germany youth teams and less entrenched than Prescott. He could be more open to the U.S. pathway and would be an upgrade on the current group.

‍RB — Jack Francka, Sporting Kansas City
A versatile profile who has played 6, 8, CB, and RB. Now settling at right back and in preseason with the first team.

‍CB — RJ White, Inter Miami
An intriguing passer whose decision-making and positioning are improving. Worth a serious look.

‍CM — Judah Siqueira, New England Revolution
I have been consistent on this one. Dynamic, effective, and still overlooked.

‍AM — Jai Bansoodeb, Brentford
Has grown into a key academy player and brings a skill set this group could use.

‍W — Cyrus Kowall, Phoenix Rising
A unique profile who has steadily improved on the ball. Health will be the key variable.

My concerns are clear: right back remains unresolved, midfield dynamism is limited outside of Spivey, and the attack will rely heavily on Jakupovic.

That said, Aldaz has several top-end players at his disposal, and this team should comfortably move through qualification if focused. Consistency makes sense here, but significant personnel work still needs to happen ahead of the World Cup, assuming qualification is secured.