U20 USYNT June Roster Analysis

GK – Diego Kochen, Barcelona (2006)
GK – Gavin Beavers, Brøndby (2005)
RB – Frankie Westfield, Philadelphia Union (2005)
RB – Reed Baker-Whiting, Seattle Sounders (2005)
CB – Matai Akinmboni, Bournemouth (2006)
CB – Noah Cobb, Atlanta United (2005)
CB/RB – Ethan Kohler, Werder Bremen (2005)
CB/LB – Nolan Norris, FC Dallas (2005)
LB – Luca Bombino, San Diego FC (2006)
LB – Tate Johnson, Vancouver Whitecaps (2005)
LB/WING – Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (2007)
DM – Pedro Soma, Barcelona (2006)
DM – Matthew Corcoran, Nashville SC (2006)
CM – Brooklyn Raines, Houston Dynamo (2005)
CM – Benjamin Cremaschi, Inter Miami (2005)
CM – Taha Habroune, Columbus Crew (2006)
CM – Sergio Oregel, Chicago Fire (2005)
WING – Kristian Fletcher, D.C. United (2005)
WING – Luke Brennan, Atlanta United (2005)
WING – Serge Ngoma, New York Red Bulls (2005)
WING – Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (2007)
CF – Marcos Zambrano, Vitória Guimarães (2005)

RB – Malachi Molina, FC Dallas (Jamaica)
CB – Lazar Stefanovic, Toronto FC (Canada)
DM – Obed Vargas, Seattle Sounders (Mexico)
CM – Noel Buck, San Jose Earthquakes (England)
CM – Alejandro Granados, Club Brugge (Spain)
WING – Esmir Bajraktarević, PSV (Bosnia)
WING – Fidel Barajas, Chivas (Mexico)
CF – Álex Woiski, Mallorca (Argentina)
CF – Kaan İnanoğlu, Eintracht Frankfurt (Turkey) — İnanoğlu has been scouted by U.S. Soccer and is reportedly willing to file a one-time switch, but it appears the federation has yet to push for a decision.

CB – Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg (2006)
Widely considered the top U-20 eligible player in the pool. His absence is unclear, but he is a first-choice talent. If he breaks through with Augsburg next season, he could even push for a senior USMNT look given the lack of elite depth at center back.

WING – Cole Campbell, Borussia Dortmund (2006)
The most dynamic attacking player in this age group. He is currently with the first team as they train for the Club World Cup.

AM – Niko Tsakiris, San Jose Earthquakes (2005)
A core piece of this team, Tsakiris misses out due to injury.

CB – Josh Wynder, Benfica (2005)
A presumed lock for this roster. His exclusion is unexplained.

RB – Leo Duru, Blackburn Rovers (2005)
Arguably should be here over Baker-Whiting. Brings more threat going forward and has impressed in previous camps.

GK – Julian Eyestone, Brentford (2006)
Reportedly dealing with a minor injury. Likely competing with Beavers for the second goalkeeper spot behind Kochen.

CF – Justin Ellis, Orlando City (2007)
Currently with the U-18s, but profiles as the most talented U-20 striker available right now.

WING – Tarik Scott, FC Dallas (2005)
A player I rate highly, though U.S. Soccer appears less convinced.

All players have been in camp before, though this is Serge Ngoma’s first U-20 camp since the U-15s. He’s missed most of the past two years due to injuries.

While several top players are missing, most are likely out due to injury or club circumstances—not coaching decisions. The only omissions I disagree with are Duru and Ellis.

The roster is well-balanced overall but lacks a true creative playmaker in midfield. Oregel can fill that role, but the rest are primarily deep-lying or box-to-box types.

Center-back size is a concern, especially without Banks and Wynder, which lowers the group’s overall ceiling in that area.

It’s great to see Ngoma back after so many setbacks; he’s long overdue for a look in a U.S. shirt. I’m curious to see how he performs outside of the Red Bulls system and against his own age group.

Zambrano as the lone striker remains one of the weak spots. I’d prefer to see Ellis or even Figueroa. Ellis is a more dynamic version of Zambrano, and Figueroa offers a different look with his speed and ability to stretch the field.