ASN: Evaluation: A powerful U.S. U-20 staff prepares for difficult November camp

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the U.S. U-20 roster for a vital and difficult November window. Plus, he presents added ideas on the U-19 staff that may look to spice up the U-20 participant pool. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 13, 2024
2:05 PM

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THE UNITED STATES U-20 staff is at present in Spain for a November camp the place it’ll face South Korea on November 16 and France on November 18 in a pair of friendlies. The roster incorporates many of the prime gamers of this age group at the moment and this camp will present a really powerful take a look at for head coach Marko Mitrovic and his staff.

The roster consists of twenty-two gamers and is evenly break up between MLS-based gamers and European-based gamers at 11 every (though Kristian Fletcher is now overseas, however is on mortgage from DC United). In complete, 14 gamers return from the October camp however the eight newcomers embody prime gamers reminiscent of Cole Campbell, Josh Wynder, and Matai Akinmboni.

However the staff is nicely skilled on the largest youth worldwide phases. Benja Cremaschi participated on the 2024 Olympics. Wynder and Niko Tsakiris represented the USA on the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Seven gamers (Adam Beaudry, Noahkai Banks, Taha Habroune, Keyrol Figueroa, Peyton Miller, Paulo Rudisill and Pedro Soma) represented the U.s.a. on the 2023 U.S. U-17 World Cup.

Every of these 10 gamers had been a part of U.S. groups that superior out of group play and into knockout phases.

Right here is the roster together with some ideas.

U.S. U-20 ROSTER FOR NOVEMBER
(CLUB, HOMETOWN)

Goalkeepers (2): Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids; Citadel Pines, Colo.), Julian Eyestone (Brentford/ENG; Dallas, Texas)

Defenders (8): Matai Akinmboni (D.C. United; Higher Marlboro, Md.), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.), Noahkai Banks (Augsburg/GER; Dietmannsried, Germany), Leo Duru (Blackburn Rovers/ENG; Manchester, England), Aiden Harangi (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Reston, Va.), Ethan Kohler (Werder Bremen/GER; Campbell, Calif.), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Value, Texas), Joshua Wynder (Benfica/POR; Louisville, Ky.)

Midfielders (6): Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo FC; Chicago, Unwell.), Paulo Rudisill (Feyenoord/NED; Irvine, Calif.), Pedro Soma (Barcelona/ESP; Coconut Creek, Fla.), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes; Saratoga, Calif.)

Forwards (6): Luke Brennan (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta, Ga.), William Campbell (Borussia Dortmund/GER; Peachtree Metropolis, Ga.), Keyrol Figueroa (Liverpool/ENG; Warrington, England), Kristian Fletcher (Nottingham Forest; Bowie, Md.), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; Unionville, Conn.), Ruben Ramos Jr. (LA Galaxy; La Puente, Calif.)

Near the highest staff

If the U-20 World Cup had been beginning this month, this might be extraordinarily near the most effective staff. Mitrovic must add a 3rd goalkeeper after which minimize two area positions to suit the World Cup roster necessities, however that is certainly very near how issues stand now.

This doesn’t imply that issues can’t change. Taking part in time and efficiency at golf equipment are a driving issue in addition to performances with the U.S. U-19 staff. That staff is nearly a U-20 backup staff for gamers on the youthful facet. The U.S. U-19 staff has had separate camps in the course of the worldwide home windows and the highest performers from that staff can push for U-20 call-ups in 2025.

There may be additionally January camps, which is able to enable Mitrovic to dig deeper into his participant pool.

The 2025 U-20 World Cup doesn’t start till late September. Over that point, there will probably be a number of new gamers breaking into first staff environments. These further few months will change lots.

The timing of that event too can even require a deeper participant pool that ordinary as a result of getting membership releases will probably be much more troublesome.

However as of now, this roster may be very near the highest staff.

Who’s lacking?

When it comes to gamers not on this roster however who fairly could possibly be right here, the checklist is brief. Diego Kochen is the obvious absence, however he’s lacking because of a shock call-up to the complete nationwide staff. The Barcelona Athletic goalkeeper will nonetheless possible be with the U-20 staff in 2025.

Additionally within the goalkeeping pool, it was reasonably shocking that Gavin Beavers was not included on this staff as he performed considerably for Actual Salt Lake’s first staff.

Noah Cobb didn’t get the decision this camp, however the Atlanta United central defender shouldn’t be removed from being a daily with this staff. It additionally helps him that his staff continues to be alive within the playoffs and he’s a primary staff contributor (albeit most in its place).

Marcos Zambrano’s additionally didn’t get the decision for this camp and that was shocking given the brace he scored final camp throughout a 3-0 win over Chile. Aidan Dausch in the meantime shifted right down to the U-19 roster in contrast with this camp.

Goals for this camp

Clearly, the staff will attempt to play nicely and win, however establishing a pecking order this early within the cycle will probably be helpful to construct chemistry and set the right order for roster competitors as new gamers emerge and a few gamers inevitably fade, as is regular in youth soccer.

There are only some “lock starters” for this staff proper now. I can’t envision any situation proper now the place a prime beginning XI for this staff doesn’t embody Diego Kochen, Josh Wynder, Cole Campbell, and Benja Cremaschi. However constructing the beginning lineup round these gamers and making ready for various situations if any of those gamers are injured or not launched is of crucial significance.

There are additionally formation choices as nicely. We additionally don’t know if new USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino will attempt to have the youth groups mirror his plans for the primary staff? That hasn’t been answered but. This camp may see Mitrovic attempt completely different formations to see how his staff suits. Will or not it’s a traditional 4-3-3 or will he additionally attempt to make the most of a 4-2-3-1 as has been utilized by Pochettino? With a number of attack-minded fullbacks on his roster, he may also think about a 3-4-3 or one other formation that makes use of wingbacks. Having quite a lot of methods the staff can play could possibly be some extent of emphasis from Mitrovic.

This camp appears to be a mark within the cycle the place the U-20 staff shifts from participant identification to staff constructing. This doesn’t imply that new gamers can’t break into the combination, but it surely looks like Mitrovic has his prime staff proper now. Now its additionally about constructing an order amongst that roster.

Gamers to look at

Leo Duru: The Blackburn Rovers proper again made his USA debut in October. He impressed regardless of figuring out no person on the staff. He has more durable competitors on this camp as Reed Baker-Whiting can also be vying for the beginning proper again job. However Duru made a very good first impression in October, now we are going to see if he can construct on that.

Matai Akinmboni: the DC United centerback together with Noahkai Banks are the favorites to start out alongside Josh Wynder. However the distinction with Akinmboni is that he has first staff minutes with DC United and is rumored to have critical switch curiosity. Wynder is the chief of the backline, however there may be additionally the likelihood he isn’t launched for the World Cup subsequent 12 months, which is able to come at a difficult time. If Wynder isn’t launched, Akinmboni may then grow to be the chief.

Cole Campbell: the Borussia Dortmund winger had an amazing camp in March. This will probably be his second U-20 camp, and now he arrives with first staff minutes Dortmund. The expectations on him at this stage will probably be excessive.

Luke Brennan: The Atlanta United winger is among the extra under-the-radar gamers on this staff however could possibly be favored to start out together with Campbell on the wings. He’s definitely one to look at.

Pedro Soma: The Barcelona product is a central midfielder who’s gaining some consideration and is a participant to look at on this event. Being within the youth or academy ranges for a giant membership doesn’t assure USYNT success (removed from it), however the current experiences about Soma from Spain are optimistic.

Niko Tsakiris: The attacking midfielder is one in every of two gamers within the pool who performed up a cycle on the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Expectations ought to be elevated for Tsakiris, though the 2024 season in San Jose was powerful for everybody concerned.

Peyton Miller: the New England Revolution left again is the youngest participant on the squad at 16 (he’s enjoying up a cycle – together with Ruben Ramos Jr.). He deserves a number of consideration after incomes a considerable variety of first staff minutes, with extra highs than lows. Now he’ll get to participate in his second U-20 camp.

U.S. U-19 November roster ideas

The U.S. U-19 staff can even have a camp in November. Michael Nsien referred to as up 24 gamers for a camp in Florida. This staff consists largely of gamers born in 2006 and 2007. The gamers born in 2007 are eligible for the 2027 U-20 World Cup and have extra USYNT eligibility forward. The gamers born in 2006 are extra urgently making an attempt to interrupt into the present U-20 staff as it’s their final USYNT eligibility (apart from the 2028 Olympics).

On this roster, 11 gamers had been born in 2006, 12 had been born in 2007 and one was born in 2008 (Nimfasha Berchimas).

Listed below are only a few notes on this staff.

U.S. U-19 ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (2): Zackory Campagnolo (Colorado Rapids; Fort Myers, Fla.), Andrew Rick (Philadelphia Union; Berwyn, Pa.)

DEFENDERS (9): Andrew Baiera (New York Metropolis FC; Darien, Conn.), Stuart Hawkins (Seattle Sounders FC; Fox Island, Wash.), Jose Magana Jr. (LA Galaxy; Lengthy Seaside, Calif.), Harbor Miller (LA Galaxy; Brea, Calif.), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; Hersey, Pa.), Jackson Platts (Orlando Metropolis SC; Jacksonville, Fla.), Owen Presthus (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Chibuike Ukaegbu (Sacramento Republic FC; Roseville, Calif.), Oscar Verhoeven (San Jose Earthquakes; Nice Hill, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Matthew Corcoran (Birmingham Legion FC; Dallas, Texas), Diego Garcia (FC Dallas; El Paso, Texas), Colin Guske (Orlando Metropolis SC; Saint Johns, Fla.), Cruz Medina (San Jose Earthquakes; San Francisco, Calif.), Santiago Morales (Inter Miami CF; Weston, Fla.), CJ Olney Jr. (Philadelphia Union; Hillsborough, N.J.), David Vazquez (Philadelphia Union; Los Angeles, Calif.)

FORWARDS (6): Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC; Excessive Level, N.C.), Aidan Dausch (Coventry Metropolis/ENG; London, England), Caden Glover (St. Louis Metropolis SC; Columbia, Unwell.), Zavier Gozo (Actual Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah), Mykhi Joyner (St. Louis Metropolis SC; Bloomington, Unwell.), Jonathan Shore (New York Metropolis FC; New York, N.Y.)

Notes

There are some promising names on the roster. Zavier Gozo and Neil Pierre are two of the higher 2007-born gamers in any USYNT proper now though I feel the one  path to the 2025 U-20 World Cup subsequent 12 months is that if there are points getting gamers launched.

Aidan Dausch made his U.S. debut final month the place he performed with the U-20 staff. He was unfamiliar with anybody on the staff, and now he’s with the U-20 staff. He could possibly be a participant who beneficial properties steam as he turns into extra accustomed to the USYNT setup. He has been impressing with Coventry’s U-21 staff, has already made his Championship debut with the primary staff, and is on the cusp of constructing the complete staff regularly.

Matthew Corcoran hasn’t been with a USYNT for the reason that 2017 U-20 World Cup final December. He has been coping with accidents. He can have a troublesome time breaking into the U-20 staff, however once more, launch points could possibly be an even bigger drawback this 12 months and that retains him related.

CJ Olney and David Vazquez are additionally gamers who aren’t removed from the U-20 staff. The Philadelphia Union duo is promising and will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the departure of Jim Curtin will have an effect on their growth with Philly.

It was considerably shocking to not see Dino Klapija (RB Leipzig) and Jykese Fields (Hoffenheim) as each forwards had been very productive in October with the U.S. U-19 staff. However with youth gamers, there are at all times different elements at play – reminiscent of letting gamers stay with their golf equipment throughout worldwide home windows to spice up their case of breaking into the primary staff, or a part of negotiation with golf equipment to grant releases for future camps.

Regardless of these absences, Nisien’s roster is powerful. It helps broaden the present U-20 participant pool to provide it depth and it begins to construct the inspiration for the following U-20 cycle for the 2027 World Cup.