The U-20 World Cup opens in slightly beneath a month, however Marko Mitrovic has assembled a powerful roster for the Semptember window for closing World Cup preparations. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down that workforce.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
August 28, 2025
2:00 PM
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UNITED STATES U-20 head coach Marko Mitrovic names his roster for the September window camp – which would be the workforce’s closing camp earlier than the beginning of the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile. The camp will run from September 1-8 in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain and the U.S. workforce will face Morocco twice – on September 5 and September 7.
The roster is powerful and a lot of the gamers have been with the workforce all through the cycle the place the outcomes have been constructive. Since Marko Mitrovic took management of the workforce final September, the workforce has posted wins over France, South Korea, Mexico, and Colombia.
A complete of 23 gamers make up the roster and the World Cup roster will probably be capped at 21. Which means not everybody on this roster will make the ultimate workforce for Chile and cuts must be made.
Right here is the roster together with some ideas.
U-20 MNT ROSTER – JUNE CAMP
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adam Beaudry (Colorado Springs Switchbacks; Fortress Pines, Colo.), Duran Ferree (San Diego FC; San Diego, Calif.), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona/ESP; Miramar, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (8): Matai Akinmboni (Bournemouth/ENG; Higher Marlboro, Md.), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders; Seattle, Wash.), Luca Bombino (San Diego FC; Saugus, Calif.), Noah Cobb (Colorado Rapids; Chattanooga, Tenn.), Ethan Kohler (SC Verl/GER; Campbell, Calif.), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Price, Texas), Francis Westfield (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Josh Wynder (Benfica; Louisville, Ken.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Matthew Corcoran (Rhode Island FC; Dallas, Texas), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo; Chicago, Unwell.), Pedro Soma (San Diego FC; Coconut Creek, Fla.), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes; Saratoga, Calif.)
FORWARDS (6): Luke Brennan (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.), Cole Campbell (Borussia, Dortmund/GER; Peachtree Metropolis, Ga.), Zavier Gozo (Actual Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah), Serge Ngoma Jr. (New York Pink Bulls; North Plainfield, N.J.), David Vazquez (San Diego FC; Los Angeles, Calif.), Marcos Zambrano (Actual Salt Lake; Gladwyne, Pa.)
Largely a first-choice roster
Except Augsburg central defender Noahkai Banks, who’s with the complete USMNT throughout the September window, this roster precisely displays most of what a first-choice roster would appear to be.
The principles concerning youth releases for U.S. youth nationwide groups have modified lately. It was once golf equipment have been by no means required to launch gamers for youth workforce obligation. Now, nonetheless, golf equipment should launch throughout worldwide home windows – reminiscent of this camp. However golf equipment wouldn’t have to launch gamers for the U-20 World Cup.
One of the best guess is that Mitrovic isn’t probably going to make use of this camp to call-up gamers he is aware of he gained’t get for the World Cup. If true, that must be very encouraging as a result of that is principally a high workforce and the U.S. workforce’s success in Chile was principally going to be pushed by the flexibility to get most of its high gamers – which it seems to be doing.
The largest exception could be Peyton Miller, the New England Revolution homegrown who performs each left again and left wing. Miller, 18, is a 2007-born participant which suggests he’s eligible for the U-20 World Cup in 2027 as effectively. He is among the high youngsters within the U.S. program and begins for the Revolution each sport.
Miller’s absence could possibly be attributed to the Revolution’s reluctance to launch him for the World Cup amid a long-shot playoff push. New England performs throughout the September window and if their playoff stance continues to fade, maybe he could be launched for the World Cup. However, possibly Mitrovic didn’t choose him and went with different left backs or wingers as a substitute.
One other notable absence would even be Sergio Orgel of Chicago who begins most video games within the membership’s midfield. Amongst all gamers within the U.S. U-20 pool, he has among the many most first-team minutes. Whether or not his omission was because of Mitrovic’s selection, or figuring out he wouldn’t be launched for the World Cup stays to be seen.
Brentford goalkeeper Julian Eyestone isn’t on the squad together with Brondby goalkeeper Gavin Beavers however usually getting backup goalkeepers for U-20 groups is troublesome as golf equipment are hesitant to launch a participant for a month if he’s merely going to be a backup. Proper now, it looks as if Diego Kochen is the U.S. U-20 starter.
Causes for optimism
High gamers accessible?
As talked about, this roster could possibly be an indication that Mitrovic is progressing positively with launch talks. However there are nonetheless just a few extra days left within the switch window and if Cole Campbell, Josh Wynder, or Matai Akinmboni are loaned, that might change all the pieces.
However as of now, these three gamers are among the many finest gamers on this workforce.
One of many strengths of this workforce is central protection with Banks, Wynder, and Akinmboni and if Mitrovic was in a position to get one in all them, it will be good. Two would see the workforce’s probabilities for achievement enhance dramatically. Three could be a house run. Even with Banks with the complete workforce, he nonetheless is likely to be in play for the U-20 World Cup.
Campbell can be a high participant for this workforce and the speedy Borussia Dortmund winger was the topic of switch curiosity this previous month, though it has cooled lately. However Campbell brings an elite stage of velocity to this workforce, and it might open the assault.
It actually seems as if most MLS groups are going to cooperate. San Diego has 4 gamers on this roster together with Luca Bombino, who’s an everyday starter, together with Pedro Soma and David Vazquez, who each joined over the summer time and are enjoying. Inter Miami has Benja Cremaschi, who might find yourself being this workforce’s World Cup captain. Frankie Westfield begins for Philadelphia, who’ve a historical past of cooperating with releases.
We gained’t know the World Cup workforce till it’s launched on September 18, however all the pieces must be encouraging with releases of high gamers.
Bettering minutes
Taking part in time is all the time a problem with U-20 workforce as gamers make the transition from youth to first workforce ranges. Clearly, it bodes effectively to have extra gamers who’re starters. Firstly of the cycle, there have been questions on if sufficient gamers would emerge as membership starters to enhance their improvement.
However 2025 has been excellent for the U.S. workforce by way of bettering membership conditions.
Westfield and Bombino could possibly be the beginning proper and left backs, respectively, on the U-20 World Cup and each are on tempo for 2000-minute seasons.
Cremaschi isn’t a starter at Miami however he makes common appearances amid a star-studded roster. Brooklyn Raines has emerged as a starter for Houston. Zavier Gozo can be now beginning most video games for Actual Salt Lake.
The conditions for Luke Brennan in Atlanta, Reed Baker-Whiting in Seattle, and Taha Habroune in Columbus have all improved considerably with all three contributing rather a lot for his or her golf equipment over the previous month.
Among the many European contingent, it has been slightly slower. Clearly, Kochen, Akinmboni, Banks, Wynder, and Campbell are connected to very large golf equipment in very large leagues. These gamers are doubtlessly taking a look at loans or transfers to assist of their improvement this season. Nonetheless, Banks, Wynder, and Campbell have all made first workforce debuts – which is a vital milestone.
