Marko Mitrović has finalized his 21-player roster for the U-20 World Cup in Chile. The United States opens the tournament on September 29 against New Caledonia, followed by a huge test against France on October 2 and then South Africa on October 5.
The 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup features 24 teams, divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group (12 total) advance to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-place finishers. New Caledonia and South Africa are games the U.S. should win, while the clash with France will be the true measuring stick. Coming in the second match of the group stage, both sides will have plenty on the line.
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 – 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)
LB/W – Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (#1 2007 prospect)
CM – Pedro Soma, San Diego FC (#6 2006 prospect)
CM – 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)
W – Cole Campbell, Borussia Dortmund (#3 2006 prospect)
W – Luke Brennan, Atlanta United (2005)
W/CF – Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (#2 2007 prospect)
CF – Marcos Zambrano, Real Monarchs (2005)
Top players that are provisionally tied to other countries
DM – Obed Vargas, Seattle Sounders (Mexico)
WING – Esmir Bajraktarević, PSV (Bosnia)
The most talented eligible players not here
GK – Julian Eyestone, Brentford (#4 2006 prospect)
Two factors kept Eyestone out: he is just returning from injury, and he isn’t going to be this team's starter, so the club was unlikely to release him. He remains one of the best prospects in his age group, but is currently blocked by elite keeper Diego Kochen.
CB – Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg (#2 2006 prospect)
Banks is the top U-20-eligible prospect not in Chile and it is not a surprise that Augsburg did not release him. I think it's best that he stays there and continues to fight for minutes. If he can breakthrough with Augsburg this year, he may also be able to breakthrough with the United States senior team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
CB – Matai Akinmboni, Bournemouth (#5 2006 prospect)
Banks and Akinmboni would have been the ideal starting pairing, especially with Akinmboni’s profile as the only high-level left-footed center back in the pool. He joined the last camp, but after surgery he wasn’t fully fit, leading U.S. Soccer to hold him out.
WING – Kristian Fletcher, D.C. United (2005)
One of the most productive wingers in this age group, Fletcher suffered an ACL tear earlier this year and remains sidelined.
CF – Keyrol Figueroa, Liverpool (#10 2006 prospect)
Figueroa would have been my preferred option at striker, but Mitrović does not appear to rate him as highly. He likely feels Zavier Gozo can provide similar qualities at a higher level.
Roster grade: A-
The only omission that could have raised the team’s ceiling is Figueroa. Choosing Zambrano over him is the lone questionable decision. Otherwise, circumstances dictated the roster: Eyestone and Akinmboni were not fit, Fletcher is rehabbing long-term, and Banks wasn’t released.
Given that context, Mitrović deserves credit—especially for securing releases for players like Gozo, Miller, Campbell, Habroune, Cremaschi, Raines, and Bombino, which was not guaranteed.
Outlook
This is a highly competent, high-floor group. I expect them to advance from the group stage, likely in second place, while giving France a tough game. Mitrović is an excellent coach, and his teams are typically organized, fluid, and well-prepared.
The midfield should be the stabilizing force, and with Kochen in goal, the U.S. has the kind of elite shot-stopper who can keep them alive in matches where they are outmatched.
The back line, however, may struggle with size and speed. This isn’t the most physically dominant group, so set pieces and transition moments could be problematic.
In attack, creativity and production will center on Cole Campbell and Niko Tsakiris, the two best playmakers in the squad. They’ll be supported by Gozo and Miller, who excel running off the ball, while Cremaschi offers another weapon capable of creating chaos in the final third.
Overall, this is a team that should be fun to watch and one capable of making U.S. supporters proud.
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