The United States U-20 men’s national team gathers for its final camp before the U-20 World Cup, which kicks off at the end of September. The team will play two friendlies against Morocco at the Pinatar venue in Spain, a final chance for head coach Marko Mitrović to evaluate his squad before the tournament.
The roster
GK – Diego Kochen, Barcelona (#1 2006 prospect)
GK – Adam Beaudry, Colorado Springs (#17 2006 prospect)
GK – Duran Ferree, San Diego FC (2006)
CB – Josh Wynder, Benfica (2005)
CB – Matai Akinmboni, Bournemouth (#5 2006 prospect)
CB – Noah Cobb, Colorado Rapids (2005)
CB/RB – Ethan Kohler, SC Verl (2005)
CB/LB – Nolan Norris, FC Dallas (2005)
RB – Frankie Westfield, Philadelphia Union (2005)
RB/LB – Reed Baker-Whiting, Seattle Sounders (2005)
LB – Luca Bombino, San Diego FC (#12 2006 prospect)
DM – Pedro Soma, San Diego FC (#6 2006 prospect)
DM – Matthew Corcoran, Rhode Island FC (#9 2006 prospect)
CM – Brooklyn Raines, Houston Dynamo (2005)
CM – Benjamin Cremaschi, Inter Miami (2005)
CM – Taha Habroune, Columbus Crew (#8 2006 prospect)
AM – Niko Tsakiris, San Jose Earthquakes (2005)
WING – Cole Campbell, Borussia Dortmund (#3 2006 prospect)
WING – Luke Brennan, Atlanta United (2005)
WING – Serge Ngoma, New York Red Bulls (2005)
WING – Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (#2 2007 prospect)
WING – David Vazquez, San Diego FC (#20 2006 prospect)
CF – Marcos Zambrano, Real Monarchs (2005)
Top players that are provisionally tied to other countries
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)
The most talented eligible players not here
GK – Julian Eyestone, Brentford (#4 2006 prospect)
On ability, Eyestone should be here. I am still looking into the reason for his absence.
GK – Gavin Beavers, Brøndby (2005)
Beavers was in the last camp and is one of my top three keepers. It’s unclear if his absence is due to availability or a sporting decision.
GK – Andrew Rick, Philadelphia Union (2006)
Even if invited, Rick would not have been released. He is Philadelphia’s starting keeper while Andre Blake is out injured.
RB – Leo Duru, San Diego FC (2005)
Reports suggest we should not expect Duru back with the USYNT, though the reasoning is unclear.
LB – Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (#1 2007 prospect)
Likely not released by New England, but hopefully available for the World Cup, especially with the Revolution unlikely to make the playoffs.
CB – Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg (#2 2006 prospect)
Banks has earned his first senior team call-up during this window.
CM – Sergio Oregel, Chicago Fire (2005)
A consistent call-up in the past, Oregel misses out this time. Midfield is arguably the deepest and most competitive unit on this roster.
WING – Kristian Fletcher, D.C. United (2005)
Fletcher tore his ACL and will unfortunately miss the rest of the U-20 cycle.
CF – Keyrol Figueroa, Liverpool (#10 2006 prospect)
Figueroa would be my starting striker for this group, but he doesn’t appear to be in Mitrović’s plans.
Player receiving first camp
All players have been in a USYNT team camp before, which isn't a surprise at this age level and this stage in the cycle.
Roster grade: A
For a final tune-up before the U-20 World Cup, this roster looks very close to what we can expect in September, assuming fitness and club releases align. Some players may be absent now due to release issues but could return for the tournament. The two player I hope to see added are Julian Eyestone and Peyton Miller.
The major absence is Noahkai Banks, but his first senior team call-up is an exciting step. My hope is that he makes a strong impression with Mauricio Pochettino’s staff and becomes a long-term USMNT piece. Even if he doesn’t stick with the senior team, I doubt Augsburg will release him for the U-20 World Cup.
The omission that I am most disappointed in that feels like a sporting decision is Keyrol Figueroa. I believe he brings more to the table than Zambrano, and without him the roster only has one true striker.
Otherwise, this is about as strong a roster as Mitrović could assemble. The team has talent across the spine: Kochen is capable of keeping the U.S. in games against top opponents, Wynder and Akinmboni can anchor a high-level backline, and the midfield is deep and experienced. The attack is where I have mild concerns, but Tsakiris and Campbell can provide creativity, and Zavier Gozo could be an X-factor.
Overall, Mitrović appears to have a strong grasp of his player pool and is set to take a well-balanced, competitive squad into the World Cup.
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