ASN: A have a look at the U-20 January camp as Mitrovic builds in direction of the 2025 World Cup

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the U-20 roster for January camp and appears at the way it relates in direction of preparations for the World Cup in Chile, which begins September 27. 

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Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 15, 2025
8:10 AM

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THE UNITED STATES U-20 nationwide workforce is assembled in Florida to kickoff a calendar 12 months that can conclude with the U-20 World Cup in Chile. Head coach Marko Mitrovic named a 22-player roster for a January camp that can look to construct depth and high quality to the participant pool.

Final 12 months, 2024, was an excellent interval for the U-20 workforce. The workforce efficiently certified for the World Cup regardless of dropping to Mexico in heartbreaking trend within the CONCACAF remaining. That was really the one blemish in what was a 12 months stuffed with nice outcomes.

The cycle started final March and it included a win over England. Then in June, the workforce posted wins over Argentina in Buenos Aires and Uruguay  in Montevideo. Then there was World Cup qualification.

In October, Marko Mitrovic was employed as the top coach. He noticed the workforce defeat Chile in Santiago in his first camp. Then wins over South Korea and France in October.

Trying on the wins in 2024, it was murders row: England, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, South Korea, and France.

Now in 2025, Mitrovic will look to construct on that run. These steps start with this January camp.

Listed here are some ideas on this roster.

The U.S. U-20 Roster for January Camp

Goalkeepers (2): Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids; Fort Pines, Colo.), Gavin Beavers (Actual Salt Lake; Henderson, Nev.)

Defenders (9): Freddie Anderson (Stoke Metropolis/ENG; Manchester, England), Luca Bombino (LAFC; Saugus, Calif.), Grayson Dettoni (Bayern Munich/GER; Munich, Germany), Aiden Harangi (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Reston, Va.), Ethan Kohler (Werder Bremen/GER; Campbell, Calif.), Drew Murray (Freiburg/GER; San Jose, Calif.), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Value, Texas), Owen Presthus (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Chibuike Ukaegbu (Sacramento Republic FC; Roseville, Calif.)

Midfielders (7): Matthew Corcoran (Birmingham Legion FC; Dallas, Texas), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Darius Lane (Brighton Hove Albion/ENG; London, England), Cruz Medina (San Jose Earthquakes; San Francisco, Calif.), Bryan Moyado (LAFC; La Puente, Calif.), Sergio Oregel Jr. (Chicago Hearth FC; Chicago, Sick.), Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo FC; Chicago, Sick.)

Forwards (4): Keyrol Figueroa (Liverpool/ENG; Warrington, England), Caden Glover (St. Louis Metropolis SC; Columbia, Sick.), Zavier Gozo (Actual Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah), Ruben Ramos Jr. (LA Galaxy; La Puente, Calif.)

Prime workforce principally recognized, however depth is essential

If the World Cup passed off this summer time (when it sometimes is hosted) and Marko Mitrovic was capable of safe all of his releases, then a lot of the workforce can be recognized.  With the workforce having such an impressive fall throughout two camps, the gamers who participated in these wins can be on the World Cup workforce. It’s exhausting to see a situation the place Mitrovic wouldn’t be pleased with that group.

The brand new timing of the World Cup adjustments all the things. It now begins on September 27 and ends on October 19. A part of the event will probably be performed within the October FIFA window (October 6-14).

It’s true that Mitrovic would possibly maintain a number of spots open for gamers to only take part throughout the October window when they are often launched. Nevertheless it’s most unlikely that he’ll get all his high gamers. In contrast to the Olympics, this U-20 World Cup will happen throughout the seasons of nearly each league on the earth (actually each league the place the gamers of the U.S. workforce play).

What this implies is that this U-20 cycle is all about depth. The U.S. workforce just isn’t alone. Groups which can be profitable on the 2025 U-20 World Cup will probably be the deepest. Which groups can successfully go to second, third, and even fourth selection choices and nonetheless have the ability to compete?

This camp has some gamers who would make the primary selection U-20 World Cup workforce (examples can be Brooklyn Raines, Nolan Norris, Adam Beaudry) however a lot of the gamers are on the surface of that workforce. However there’s a good likelihood for gamers to play themselves onto the World Cup workforce given that it’ll require depth.

Who just isn’t right here

The checklist of high gamers not right here is lengthy. This camp takes place exterior of a global window and it subsequently requires gamers to be launched from golf equipment voluntarily. You will need to observe that not all MLS groups cooperated with releasing gamers.

Luke Brennan and Noah Cobb had been probably not let go by Atlanta United. The Philadelphia Union didn’t launch any gamers and that probably affected David Vazquez. Peyton Miller on the New England Revolution just isn’t right here. Reed Baker-Whiting of the Seattle Sounders just isn’t right here.

One other lacking high participant is Benja Cremaschi who’s with the senior USMNT this month.

Amongst these in Europe, the highest three central defenders aren’t in camp with Benfica’s Josh Wynder, Bournemouth’s Matai Akinmboni (who simply transferred from DC United), and Augsburg’s Noahkai Banks.

Goalkeepers Diego Kochen at Barcelona and Julian Eyestone at Brentford are with their golf equipment. Defensive midfielder Pedro Soma can be nonetheless with Barcelona. Prime winger Cole Campbell is with Borussia Dortmund.

Gamers with essentially the most to realize

The gamers who’ve essentially the most to realize from this camp are in positions of want.

The central defenders on this camp have an enormous alternative. The highest three central defenders within the pool aren’t right here and it appears unlikely Mitrovic will get all of Wynder, Banks, and Akinmboni for the World Cup. The depth chart after these three is unclear. Noah Cobb is in that blend and can be not at this camp.

Bayern Munich reserve defender Grayson Dettoni has wished to be concerned and can now get his alternative to showcase his means. Freddie Anderson will make his debut for the U.S. at any age stage and his call-up is a little bit of a shock as his eligibility was not broadly recognized in public circles. His father, Viv Anderson, was a former English worldwide. His mother additionally appeared to have been born in England. Anderson is a central defender and will make a case. Freiburg II’s Drew Murray additionally will get a glance.

The following huge place to ascertain depth is at middle ahead. Even when everyone seems to be wholesome and launched, the No. 9 place isn’t properly settled. Keyrol Figueroa was extremely rated throughout his time with the U-17 workforce however isn’t as apparent a prospect on the U-20 stage. He bought the decision right here (and it also needs to be observed that Liverpool let him go) and remains to be battling for his place. St. Louis ahead Caden Glover additionally has an opportunity to profit from what’s an open race at this place.

One participant I’m notably concerned about watching this camp is Brooklyn Raines. The Houston Dynamo homegrown was excellent for this workforce within the fall and is an efficient guess to be a decide to be a high breakout younger performer in MLS this 12 months. Raines nearly actually makes a first-choice World Cup workforce. However this camp may help make the case that Raines ought to begin and/or play loads of minutes in Chile later this 12 months.Insights into 2027
Caden Glover, Zavier Gozo, Darius Lane, Ruben Ramos Jr. and Chibuike Ukaegbu all made this roster with all 5 being born in 2007. That signifies that these gamers are additionally eligible for the 2027 U-20 World Cup. Their involvment this cycle places them on the entrance foot to be leaders subsequent cycle. 

Ramos Jr. has the very best alternative to make the approaching World Cup workforce He was concerned closely in 2024 and is actually a key participant to look at this cycle.