The roster
GK, William Lodmell, Sporting CP
GK, Aidan Stokes, Brentford
RB, Parker Amoo-Mensah, Orlando City
LB, Matty Dos Santos, Red Bull New York
LB, Ryan Hartley, Parma
CB, Andrei Chirila, FC Cincinnati
CB, Brandon Dayes, Louisville City
CB, Jacob Hall, Chelsea FC
DM, Alex Shaw, Inter Miami
CM, Luca Moisa, Real Salt Lake
CM, Cristiano Oliveira, New England Revolution
CM, Jude Terry, LAFC
AM, Maximo Carrizo, NYCFC
AM, Kellan LeBlanc, Philadelphia Union
W, Dennis Nelich, Red Bull New York
W, Eric Preston, LA Galaxy
W, Damyan Villanueva, Chicago Fire
W, Gabriel Wesseh, Fredrikstad FK
CF, Chase Adams, Columbus Crew
CF, Theo Reed, Philadelphia Union
Roster reactions
Goalkeepers
Stokes has been viewed as GK1 in this class since the 2008s' U15 cycle, and Lodmell has steadily progressed toward being the clear No. 2. Lodmell was a backup at the Concacaf U-20 Championship this summer, and Stokes was the starting keeper for the 2008s at the last U17 World Cup. No issues with the selections here. Other candidates include Jack Kortkamp (Sporting KC), who seems to have slipped down the depth chart, and Graham Syrett, who recently enrolled at Wake Forest University after coming through Charlotte FC's academy.
Full-backs
The full-back group has one right-back (Amoo-Mensah) and two left-backs (Dos Santos and Hartley). Amoo-Mensah is getting his first USYNT call-up, and it's well deserved. He caught my eye this year in MLS NEXT Pro, where he's made some big strides in his game. It's encouraging to see that U.S. Soccer noticed as well and is giving him his first international experience.
It's a bit surprising to see Dos Santos here rather than on the U20 roster, given he has the most first-team experience of any U20-eligible left-back not named Peyton Miller. He's struggled in MLS this year, and there may be factors behind the decision that we're not seeing. From the outside, though, I'd have made a case for him over the two left-backs who were selected for the U20s.
Center-backs
Hall and Chirila return from the last camp, and both are talented lefties. Chirila has a legitimate case for the U20 roster given he has more first-team experience than the three center-backs who were selected there, though without knowing the full picture it's hard to say what tipped the decision. The third player I'm classifying as a center-back is Brandon Dayes, even though right-back is his more natural position. That's where he lined up at the Concacaf U-20 Championship this summer, where he made six appearances (three starts) and scored two goals. Dayes will likely see time at both spots during this camp. This is a really solid center-back pool for the cycle. The only other eligible player who'd be high on my list is Ian James, who is currently injured.
Pivots
This is another really solid group, with top prospect Jude Terry leading the way. I'd like to see him on the U20 roster. He doesn't have as much first-team experience as the players there, but his talent is undeniable. Shaw drops down a level after playing well at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. Moisa and Oliveira are both solid players as well.
Attacking midfielders
Carrizo and LeBlanc are the only truly viable options in this class.
Wingers
I really love the selections of Preston and Wesseh, two players I'd like to see on the U20 roster. Preston has been lighting up MLS NEXT Pro and has more than passed the eye test. Wesseh is getting solid minutes in Norway and is a player I rate highly. He was my top-rated 2008 who had never been in a USYNT camp, and I'm glad that has finally changed. Nelich, another first-time call-up, recently made his first-team debut with RBNY and signed a homegrown contract. Villanueva is also earning his first USYNT selection, thanks to a highly productive MLS NEXT Pro campaign with 12 goal contributions.
There's another wide player at Red Bull New York I rate higher than Nelich: Sean Baitinger (Red Bull New York), who USMNT Prospects reports is set to sign with RBNY soon. He can play as both a right winger and a right-back. He has yet to be called into a camp, but I'd expect that to change soon. He's been dynamic since breaking into MLS NEXT Pro in May.
Center-forwards
Adams has been CF1 for this age group for a while, with the understanding that Julian Hall has been promoted beyond his generation. Theo Reed rounds out the five first-time call-ups on this roster. Austyn Jones (PSV) is a name I keep expecting to see. He's been scoring regularly in the Dutch second division for Jong PSV, PSV's U21 side. There may be reasons we're not seeing, whether it's club availability or something else, but on form and talent alone he continues to be a head scratcher.
Roster grade: A-
Five debutants this late in the youth national team process is nice to see. Most of the players selected for the first time are being rewarded for strong seasons in MLS NEXT Pro. Gabriel Wesseh is the most exciting selection on this roster, given his talent level and how long overdue the call-up felt. The roster is well balanced, with plenty of projectable profiles to be excited about.
My two main questions are the absences of Sean Baitinger and Austyn Jones, two dynamic attacking players who, to me, have higher ceilings than some of the options selected. Without knowing the full picture on availability, it's hard to call them outright misses, but they're the two names I'll continue to watch for going forward.
