The roster
GK, Giorgio De Marzi, Roma (2007)
GK, Kayne Rizvanovich, Minnesota United (2007)
GK, Aidan Stokes, Brentford FC (2008)
RB, Harbor Miller, LA Galaxy (2007)
RB, Parker Amoo-Mensah, Orlando City (2008)
LB, Pedro Guimaraes, Eintracht Frankfurt (2008)
LB, Josh Torquato, FC Dallas (2007)
CB, Chris Applewhite, Austin FC (2007)
CB, Christopher Cupps, Greenock Morton (2008)
CB, Jacob Hall, Chelsea FC (2008)
CB, Ramiz Hamouda, SV Werder Bremen (2008)
DM, Colin Guske, Real Salt Lake (2007)
DM, Cooper Sanchez, Atlanta United (2008)
CM, Jonny Shore, New York City FC (2007)
CM, Jude Terry, LAFC (2008)
CM, Ervin Torres, Austin FC (2007)
AM, Jacob Arroyave, NYCFC (2007)
AM, Xanti Oyharçabal, Athletic Bilbao (2007)
AM, Ruben Ramos Jr., Sporting Kansas City (2007)
W, Jaidyn Contreras, Tigres UANL, on loan from FC Dallas (2007)
W, Daniel Pinter, Inter Miami (2007)
W, Darius Randell, Minnesota United (2007)
W, Gabriel Wesseh, Fredrikstad FK (2008)
CF, Din Klapija, RB Leipzig (2007)
Roster reactions
17 of the 24 players selected return from the September camp in Spain. Two of the September call-ups, Snyder Brunell and Marvin Dills, have been promoted to the U23 team. Five 2008-born players are promoted from the U19 team: Aidan Stokes, Parker Amoo-Mensah, Jacob Hall, Jude Terry and Gabriel Wesseh.
Goalkeepers
I think there's a real competition for the starting job ahead of the U20 World Cup, and all three of these guys could make a claim to it. Aidan Stokes rejoins the group after missing the September camp.
Right-backs
Harbor Miller is the clear RB1, but the other name is an interesting selection: Parker Amoo-Mensah. He made his first USYNT appearance last window and immediately moves up to the U20 team, getting the nod ahead of Brandon Dayes, who was on the U20 World Cup Qualifying roster. Without knowing Dayes' situation, I wouldn't read too much into that, but it says something about how Amoo-Mensah is viewed. He's a player who has been rising over the last 12 months.
Left-backs
Both left-backs return from last camp. Worth noting: Josh Torquato also got a call from Brazil for this window, so he has a decision to make. I still rate Dominik Chong Qui, though from what we can see, he doesn't appear to be in Segares' plans right now.
Center-backs
Cupps and Hamouda return, and I rate both highly. Hall and Applewhite are added. Applewhite had a decent U20 World Cup Qualifying and is still looking for regular MLS minutes after his loan move to Austin. Hall is a big, possession-based, left-footed center-back with some skill. It's interesting to see him get the nod over Andre Chirila, though there may be reasons we're not seeing. Two right-footed players and two left-footed players. We don't see that often enough.
Pivots
Four of the five players from last camp return, and Jude Terry replaces the promoted Snyder Brunell. No notes. Eric Izoita probably deserves a look with this team at some point soon. He's looked pretty good in his appearances for the Portland Timbers.
Attacking midfielders
Dills gets promoted, and I'll slot Arroyave in here as his replacement. He can play as an 8, a 10 or a winger. Candidly, I haven't seen him play in a while and need to brush up on him. Injuries cost him the better part of two seasons. He's always been talented, but he's had some hard injury luck lately. It's great to see him back in the mix.
Wingers
The big news here is Gabriel Wesseh's promotion to the U20 team. I expect him to make a positive impression and cement himself as a key player heading into the U20 World Cup. The other three wingers return from last camp. I'm excited to see Darius Randell back. I thought he did well in the last camp, and he offers something different that this group needs.
Center-forwards
Klapija is once again the lone striker. I'd still love to see U.S. Soccer kick the tires on Tomo Allen.
Roster grade: B+
The squad is pretty set right now, so it's not surprising to see little turnover. I like the 2008s who were elevated, especially Terry and Wesseh, two of my top 2008 prospects. I think U.S. Soccer could give more strikers a chance with this group, though without knowing the full picture on availability, it's hard to say why Klapija remains the only option. Randell's return is encouraging as well. It'll be interesting to see how much this team is affected by U23 Olympic preparations. I don't think it should be, but it's something to keep an eye on.
