U.S. Soccer continues to show surprising investment in the 2006 age group, a team that doesn’t have any meaningful competitions ahead. Still, these players deserve opportunities to stay engaged in the system and face strong international opposition, which makes this camp a positive development overall. The group is led again by Rob Valentino, and they’ll play two matches in Spain — facing Finland’s U-21s on October 10 (9 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. local) and Elche’s B team on October 14 (10 a.m. ET / 4 p.m. local).
The roster
GK – Andrew Rick, Philadelphia Union (#13 2006 prospect)
GK – Mohammed Shour, Seattle Sounders (2007)
RB – Owen Presthus, Hartford Athletic (2006)
RB – Sawyer Jura, Portland Timbers (2006)
CB – Matai Akinmboni, Bournemouth (#5 2006 prospect)
CB – Freddie Anderson, Cork City (2006)
CB – Chibuike Ukaegbu, Sacramento Republic (#11 2007 prospect)
LB – Riley Dalgado, LA Galaxy (2006)
DM – Edwyn Mendoza, San Jose Earthquakes (2006)
DM – Eric Klein, New England Revolution (2006)
CM – Diego Garcia, FC Dallas (2006)
AM – Cruz Medina, San Jose Earthquakes (2006)
AM – Devon Decorte, Anderlecht (2006)
AM – Micah Burton, Austin FC (2006)
W – Bryce Jamison, Orange Country SC (#16 2006 prospect)
W – David Vazquez, San Diego FC (#20 2006 prospect)
W – Mykhi Joyner, St. Louis City (2006)
W – Bajung Darboe, Bayern Munich (2006)
CF – Keyrol Figueroa, Liverpool (#10 2006 prospect)
CF – Eddy Davis III, Philadelphia Union (2006)
Top eligible players not on the roster
AM, CJ Olney, Philadelphia Union (#7 2006 prospect)
There’s something going on here. Olney is too talented to be outside this group and it’s unclear whether this is due to availability or selection.
AM, Paulo Rudisill, Feyenoord (2006)
Unclear if he wasn’t released or simply not selected.
W, Andre Gitau, Mainz (2006)
Gitau unfortunately picked up an injury recently.
Player receiving first camp
There are no players that have not been in a USYNT camp.
Roster grade: A-
This is a really strong roster for what is essentially a developmental camp. Matai Akinmboni and Keyrol Figueroa are both players I would have liked to see at the U-20 World Cup, so their inclusion here is a win. Both have high ceilings and could absolutely work their way toward the USMNT level with continued progression.
Bryce Jamison is another player I’m excited to see. He reminds me a bit of Alex Freeman — someone who may have flown under the radar during his U-20 cycle but possesses the tools to become a high-level pro if he continues to mature technically and tactically.
Ukaegbu is another quality inclusion. I actually think he fits better with the 2007 group and could be a key player for the next U-20 cycle.
And it’s genuinely nice to see Darboe back in a USYNT environment. His path has been unconventional, but he’s always had talent and it’s great to see him earning another opportunity.
Overall, there is a surprising amount of talent in this group.
.svg){kind=logo}
