ASN: Evaluation: U.S. U-20 coach Varas calls 20 gamers to March camp in Argentina

With Mikey Varas at this time asserting his roster for the upcoming U.S. U-20 camp in Argentina, the core of his group is turning into clear. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta appears to be like at that squad and the place the group stands solely three months away from an enormous event in June that may function qualification for each the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.  

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 16, 2022
6:15 PM

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UNITED STATES U-20 head coach Mikey Varas at this time introduced his roster for an vital camp that may run from March 21-30 in Argentina and can characteristic two video games: towards Argentina’s U-20 group on March 26 and River Plate on March 29. The roster will include 20 gamers, and it’ll mark one of many remaining occasions Varas can have his group collectively earlier than this summer time’s event in Honduras that may function qualification for the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.

The roster Varas referred to as in is comparatively sturdy and he was capable of safe a few of his prime gamers. Essentially the most notable exceptions can be Ricardo Pepi and Gaga Slonina – two gamers who’ve been concerned with the senior nationwide group just lately.

Right here is the roster and listed here are some ideas on it.

The Roster
(CLUB; HOMETOWN; U-20 CAPS/GOALS)

GOALKEEPERS (2):Alexander Borto (Fulham/ENG; South Plainfield, N.J.; 1/0), Christopher Brady (Chicago Hearth; Naperville, Sick.; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (7):Justin Che (Hoffenheim/GER; Richardson, Texas; 3/0), Brandan Craig (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 0/0), Mauricio Cuevas (Membership Brugge/BEL; Los Angeles, Calif.; 0/0), Marcus Ferkranus (LA Galaxy; Santa Clarita, Calif.; 0/0), Kobi Henry (Orange County; Lake Forest, Calif.; 2/0), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; Lakewood, Calif.; 3/0), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.; 3/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Paxten Aaronson (Philadelphia Union; Medford, N.J.; 2/0), Caden Clark (New York Crimson Bulls; Wayzata, Minn.; 2/1), Daniel Edelman (New York Crimson Bulls; Warren, N.J.; 2/0), Diego Luna (El Paso Locomotive; Redwood, Calif.; 2/1), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; Center Village, N.Y.; 2/0), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Cut up/CRO; Stillwater, Okla.; 2/0), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders; Anchorage, Alaska)

FORWARDS (4):Brian Gutierrez (Chicago Hearth; Chicago, Sick.; 3/0), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; South Driving, Va.; 0/0), Dante Sealy (PSV Eindhoven/NED; Frisco, Texas; 2/0), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 1/0)

Striker stays the most important query

In February, Mikey Varas informed ASN in an interview that that he sees the No. 9 heart ahead place to be his group’s largest concern at this stage of the cycle. Certain sufficient, this roster displays these issues. Pepi is probably going not going to characteristic with the U.S. U-20 group (no less than not anytime quickly). Malick Sanogo doesn’t appeared to have performed a lot along with his call-ups to the primary two camps. Patrick Weah is out with an ACL tear.

There are alternatives but it surely seemingly includes taking part in gamers out of place. Brian Gutierrez and Dante Sealy seem like the strongest prospects this camp. Final camp it was Kristen Fletcher, a 2005-born attacking midfielder, who was tried on the No. 9. Sealy and Gutierrez may match or could not, but it surely appears as if Varas is actually digging into choices that aren’t best with such an vital event approaching.

Vargas’ rise

Essentially the most spectacular identify on the roster is Obed Vargas, the central midfielder for the Seattle Sounders. He won’t be one of the best participant on this roster at this level, however he has loved probably the most gorgeous rise over the previous few months amongst your entire U-20 pool. A local of Alaska, Vargas has been beginning for Seattle to begin the season and this included wins over Membership Leon within the Champions League and towards the LA Galaxy. As a 2005-born participant, Vargas is taking part in up a cycle with the U-20 group however in large video games towards adults, he has regarded mature past his years.

Final month following the January camp, Varas informed ASN: “I have given Obed the challenge to play his way into this group. He is a really strong player and it is a tough position. But he did really, really well. He’s a top talent.”

Since then, Vargas has solely responded effectively to the problem from Varas. He has earned accolades for his performances and appears set to be taking an vital position inside this group.

On a aspect word, Vargas grew up a fan of the Mexican nationwide group and El Tri is definitely watching Vargas with curiosity.

Large Philadelphia footprint

It is usually vital to notice that of the 20 gamers on this group, 4 are present Philadelphia Union homegrown gamers. Paxten Aaronson, Quinn Sullivan, and Jack McGlynn have been with the group for every of the three camps. Defender Brandon Craig can be in for the second time.

It speaks volumes of the standard of expertise that the Union group is popping out in the mean time.

“I told Ernst [Tanner] that I’m always impressed with the Philadelphia Union players because I think the club does a good job identifying talent,” Varas informed ASN. “And they do an excellent job of creating players who are creative but who also have a work ethic – that willingness to be just a grinder.”

It offers an perception into the kind of gamers Varas desires on his group. Technicality and ability is vital, however Varas is clearly searching for gamers who work arduous and have a first-rate work ethic. These traits can sometimes be present in gamers in sure environments, and Varas believes that’s in Philadelphia.

Sturdy roster

Total, it’s a powerful roster. There aren’t too many notable absences on condition that Pepi and Slonina are seemingly wanted additional up the pecking order inside U.S. Soccer.

The three gamers whose absences stand out probably the most are San Jose winger Cade Cowell, DC United midfielder Moses Nyeman, and Actual Sociedad B left again Jonathan Gomez (Gomez and Cowell earned their first nationwide group cap in December).

Aside from that, the roster stands out for who’s on the group as an alternative of who is just not there.

Kevin Paredes will make his first look since shifting from DC United to Wolfsburg and Varas stated final month that he met with Paredes in December and needed to discover a strategy to get him concerned as a result of he sees him as an vital a part of the group.

Justin Che was in camp in November and has been making the bench for Hoffenheim (the place he’s now on mortgage). Varas was beforehand with FC Dallas and is aware of Che effectively so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Che performs centrally or with no consideration again, the place he performed for Dallas final season.

Caleb Wiley is a 2004-born left again and one who might compete for minutes – particularly if Gomez is just not with the group. He has already been taking part in for Atlanta United.

Rokas Pukstas is as midfielder now on a primary group deal at Hajduk Cut up and has been on the bench with the primary group, with a debut seemingly shut.

Mixed with the Philadelphia Union mainstays, Obed Vargas, and different regulars similar to Diego Luna and Daniel Edelman – the core of the group is turning into extra clear and this roster displays that.