Gonzalo Segares appears to be leading the 2007 group, which is the next class to spearhead the U-20 World Cup cycle. It was thought that Rob Valentino would lead this cycle, but he's been coaching the 2006 group — a group that doesn't have much to play for other than the 2028 Olympics, which the U.S. will qualify for through U-20 World Cup Qualifying this summer. I'd much prefer Valentino lead the group, so I'm hoping that comes to fruition.
The team is made up of all 2007 players with two 2009s — highly rated Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert. That indicates the intent is to keep the 2008s as a separate group for the time being, though eventually the 2008s will break through because there are some players who are clearly just as, if not more, deserving of playing a role in the next U-20 World Cup cycle.
The group will head to Spain to play a friendly against Wales.
The roster
GK, Zackory Campagnolo, Colorado Rapids (2007)
GK, Giorgio De Marzi, AS Roma (2007)
RB, Drew Baiera, New York City FC (2007)
RB, Harbor Miller, LA Galaxy (2007)
LB, Joshua Torquato, FC Dallas (2007)
CB, Braden Dunham, Furman University (2007)
CB, Jose Magana Jr., LA Galaxy (2007)
CB, Neil Pierre, Lyngby (2007)
DM, Colin Guske, Orlando City (2007)
CM, Snyder Brunell, Seattle Sounders (2007)
CM, Jonny Shore, New York City FC (2007)
CM, Ervin Torres, Austin FC (2007)
AM, Marvin Dills, Eintracht Frankfurt (2007)
AM, Santiago Morales, Inter Miami (2007)
AM, Ruben Ramos Jr., LA Galaxy (2007)
AM, Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union (2009)
W, Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund (2009)
W, Aiden Hezarkhani, Real Salt Lake (2007)
W, Daniel Pinter, Inter Miami (2007)
CF, Justin Ellis, Orlando City (2007)
Roster reactions
There's only one player on this roster making his USYNT debut, and that's goalkeeper Giorgio De Marzi from Roma. The Italian-American seems to be highly rated at Roma, and from the minimal film I've seen, he looks like a very compelling prospect. He doesn't have elite size — maybe 6'2" — but he's very athletic and very comfortable on the ball. He's in the mold of a Diego Kochen or Duran Ferree, though I'm not sure he's at the same level as a prospect.
The rest of the team features a lot of the players we've come to expect from the 2007 class, plus the two 2009 gems — Albert and Sullivan — showing clear intent that they'll feature in the next U-20 World Cup cycle. I wouldn't be surprised to see other 2009s join in the future, most likely Adri Mehmeti and Malik Jakupovic.
From the 2007s here, I'm high on Campagnolo, Pierre, Baiera, Miller, Shore, Brunell, Dills and Ellis. Hezarkhani has also shown well in his limited MLS time this season. The rest of the group is likely going to have to fight it out with other 2007s and emerging 2008s and 2009s.
There are some top 2007 players not in this group, likely because they're either just coming back from injury or prioritizing club play. That list likely includes GK, Kayne Rizvanovich, Brooklyn FC (2007), who is the starting keeper for the expansion USL-C club; LB, Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (2007), who just came back from injury for a short cameo off the bench where he scored a goal; LB, Dominik Chong Qui, Atlanta United (2007), who is just returning from injury; and W, Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (2007), who is one of the most important players on RSL's team. It's also possible that Gozo and Peyton Miller are viewed as U-23 players for the next Olympic cycle instead of repeating another U-20 cycle.
New York Red Bulls youngsters CF/W, Julian Hall (2008) and DM, Adri Mehmeti (2009) are also players that will likely be desired for this team but are too important to their clubs right now to miss time.
One absence that looks like it could become permanent is CF, Jykese Fields, Hoffenheim (2007). U.S. Soccer got to him first, but Germany caught on and it's pretty clear he prefers Germany. He may never put the U.S. shirt back on unless things don't pan out at the senior level with Germany. It's a big loss at the striker position — he's a big-time talent.
Top 5 eligible players that have not been in camp
CB, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Sacramento Republic (2007)
I really like Ukaegbu's game. I wish he was starting for Sacramento right now, but he isn't, and I rate him a little higher than some other guys here.
DM/CM, Daris Lane, Brighton & Hove Albion (2007)
Lane is only a month or two back from a significant injury, so that may play a role in his absence. When healthy, he should be a core member of this team.
W/AM, Xanti Oyharcabal, Athletic Bilbao (2007)
I finally got a long look at Oyharcabal and I really like him. He's wiry, sneaky quick and extremely technical and creative. To me, he should be in the winger rotation for this group. They finally brought De Marzi in — maybe Oyharcabal is next?
CB, Christopher Cupps, Chicago Fire (2008)
I'd expect Cupps to be on the next U-18 roster, but if it were up to me, I'd bring him up to this group. He's unquestionably one of the top three eligible center back options.
W, Nimfasha Berchimas, Charlotte FC (2008)
The same can be said for Berchimas, who is a better winger option than some of the guys on this roster.
Roster grade: B+
I have some tiffs with this being a mainly 2007-only roster, but I can't see that staying in place for too long, so I'll refrain from quibbling about it now. Outside of that, the big omissions can be explained by their level of importance for their clubs. Beyond those big names I've already mentioned, there really aren't any egregious omissions — more so my preference versus U.S. Soccer's preference.
