U20 USYNT World Cup Recap

Ultimately, the absence of a true No. 9 stood out against a disciplined Moroccan low block. Mitrovic coached a strong tournament overall, but I think he made a mistake in this match by bringing in Corcoran for Habroune. Morocco’s plan was to bunker and counter, and that substitution had two negative effects: it pushed Raines higher up the field — even though his pace and range are better suited to breaking up counters — and it removed Habroune, a creative playmaker, for a more defensive-minded player in Corcoran, whose long balls were largely irrelevant given how deep Morocco was sitting.

Another key difference was goalkeeping. Beaudry was solid throughout the tournament, but he made a few costly errors in this one — the kind you imagine a more commanding presence like Kochen might have avoided, though that’s speculative.

Overall, it was still a good tournament for this group. They played hard, played together, and represented the country well. More players helped their stock than hurt it.

RB, Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union, 2005)
Westfield might have been the best player on the field against France. His composure, quality on the ball, and defensive instincts stood out throughout the tournament. He was quieter against Morocco, but overall had a very impressive showing and looks like someone who could eventually compete for USMNT minutes.

LB, Nolan Norris (FC Dallas, 2005)
I’ve never been especially high on Norris, but he changed my mind a bit here. He defended in space better than expected and contributed confidently in buildup play. I still don’t see a future USMNT player, but he looks like someone who can have a long, productive MLS career. His intangibles are excellent.

W, Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake, 2007)
Gozo entered the tournament as arguably the top prospect in the group — and left it that way. His breakout came against France as a super-sub, and he was also effective against Italy. He was quieter versus Morocco, but for a player eligible for the next U-20 cycle, he showed scouts plenty to be excited about. A big European move feels imminent.

CM, Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami, 2005)
Cremaschi didn’t reveal anything new, but reaffirmed what’s long been true: he’s not an elegant player, but he’s effective, intelligent, and finds ways to help teams win. He maximizes his tools and will likely get everything he can out of his career.

CB, Josh Wynder (Benfica, 2005)
Let’s set aside the unfortunate pair of own goals — outside of those, Wynder had a strong tournament. He was steady defensively, dominant in the air, and composed on the ball. He needs to sort out his club situation and find consistent first-team minutes soon, but once he does, he’s not far off senior-team contention.

AM, Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes, 2005)
Tsakiris needed this tournament to reset his market value after stagnating in San Jose, and he largely succeeded. When confident, he’s a clever, dangerous final-third player. He needs a move — ideally to a club that allows him to play freely in an attacking midfield role.

DM, Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo, 2005)
Raines wasn’t flashy, and yes, people will point to the foul that led to Morocco’s first goal (it was a foul), but he still impressed me. His ability to cover ground is Adams-like, but with more upside in possession. His tenacity and mentality are outstanding. I don’t think Houston is the best fit — a move could unlock another level.

CB, Ethan Kohler (Werder Bremen, 2005)
I’m starting to buy into Kohler as a center-back. He’s smaller than ideal but reads the game well, is tough in duels, and defends well in space. He also showed more composure on the ball than expected. Outside of the second Morocco goal, where he was nudged off balance, I thought his size wasn’t a real issue. Reliable, steady, and quietly impressive.

W, Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund, 2006)
Unfortunately, Campbell’s lack of impact in the final third was one of the big disappointments of the tournament. I’ve seen him play much better — and I know he’s capable of more. He looked like someone burdened by expectation. Still, he’s young. As a wise man once said, “Let the cake bake.”

LB, Peyton Miller (New England Revolution, 2007)
Miller and Gozo were the two top American prospects here by most scouts’ standards, but Mitrovic continued to use Miller in attack rather than his more natural left-back role — and that didn’t do him any favors. He’s not a natural creator but excels when arriving late in the final third. Still just 17 and nearly eligible for the current U-17 World Cup, he remains a big talent, even if this wasn’t his breakout.

DM, Pedro Soma (San Diego FC, 2006)
Soma didn’t do much wrong, but it was surprising to see Corcoran surpass him in the depth chart.

From an international perspective, not much. For most of this group, the next eligible tournament would be the 2028 Olympics. Gozo and Miller may now rejoin their own age groups as they build toward the next U-20 cycle, though I doubt that cycle will be prioritized heavily — nor should it be. Both should focus on their club development.

For everyone else, the focus now shifts to club play — finding consistent minutes, continuing to improve, and doing what’s necessary to earn a look with the senior national team. No one from this group is particularly close yet, but several are moving in the right direction.