The USA U-20 Roster Breakdown
The United States national teams will be competing across 3 tournaments this summer, with the women’s seniors headed to the World Cup in France, the men’s team competing in this summer’s Gold Cup, and the men’s U-20s in the World Cup. I thought I’d give a little background on the U-20 players headed into this World Cup, as this is one of the first generations to showcase MLS’ relatively recent academy initiative as well as a significant player base at European clubs and academies. If you click on a player’s name, you’ll get taken to a video of their highlights or an interview, so check that out too!
Eligible players for this tournament are born between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2000. Don’t worry if they make you feel old though, it’s not like they’re professionals…right?
The Coach
Tab Ramos was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and moved to the United States with his family aged 11. Ramos played in 3 World Cups with the men’s senior team, and is perhaps infamous for getting his jaw broken in the 1994 United States World Cup by none other than Milan’s current sporting director, Leonardo.
Post-retirement, Ramos founded a U.S. Development Academy club in Aberdeen, New Jersey before taking the U-20 reigns in 2011 after Thomas Rongen failed to qualify. The 2019 World Cup will be his 4th in charge of the U-20s.
Team and Formations
As the U.S. seeks to standardize a playstyle across all of its teams, Ramos’ U-20s have been running a 4–3–3 (example below) in the same mold as the senior squad, with 2 attacking-minded midfielders and a third midfielder sitting deeper behind. In attack, the team looks much more like a 4–1–4–1 with the two central attacking players pushing high to support the lone center forward. Ramos is not expected to vary this formation greatly for the World Cup.
Now who will be filling in the numbers for that formation? We’ll start with the keepers.
Goalkeepers
Brady Scott (19 y/o, F.C. Koln/Koln II)
Scott was the starting goalkeeper when the U.S. beat Mexico in the finals of last year’s CONCACAF U-20 Championships to qualify for the World Cup this summer. It’s a good rise for the 19-year-old California native, who was the youngest player in the 2017 squad that made the quarterfinals in South Korea. His experience means he’s likely to be the starter when the U.S. open against Ukraine.
David Ochoa (18 y/o, Real Salt Lake/Real Monarchs)
Another contender for the starting spot, Ochoa came through the Real Salt Lake academy and is now playing for their affiliated development team, Real Monarchs. The 18-year-old, who is also eligible for Mexico, was Brady Scott’s reserve during the CONCACAF U-20 championships but his consistent play with Real Monarchs could give him the edge for this tournament. Ochoa told Top Drawer Soccer that Ramos helped him make his club decision after he received a trial opportunity with Manchester United and was scouted by Mexican team Chivas.
C.J. Dos Santos (18 y/o, Benfica)
dos Santos will likely be a reserve, as he only made his U20 debut recently against France in a 2–2 friendly draw in March. The Philadelphia native developed through various area youth clubs before heading to the Union academy.
Defense
Center Back: Mark McKenzie (c) (20 y/o, Philadelphia Union)
The oldest member of this squad, McKenzie has consistently been making appearances for the Union as they chase the top spot in MLS’ Eastern Conference. He has the most minutes played for the U20s in 2018 and his defence only conceded 2 goals during the CONCACAF Championships. Ramos described McKenzie as a “hard player on the field” and the U.S. will need that toughness in Poland.
Center Back: Chris Richards (19 y/o, FC Bayern Munich/Bayern U19s)
Richards is one of the first beneficiaries of Bayern Munich’s academy agreement with F.C. Dallas in the MLS. The 6'2" (1.88m) said he’s inspired by Jerome Boateng, and while his passing may need a slight improvement to reach that level, he’s already surprisingly quick for his size. Richards partnered McKenzie in the defense that kept a clean sheet against Mexico in the CONCACAF Championship.
Left Back: Matthew Real (19 y/o, Philadelphia Union)
Another Pennsylvania youth product and Union defender, Real captained the squad at the CONCACAF Championships. An attack-minded left back, he’ll be responsible for adding width to Ramos’ formation. Real’s minutes for the Union in 2019 have been limited by his international callups, but he’s still likely to be Ramos’ preferred choice at left-back.
Left Back: Chris Gloster (18 y/o, Hannover 96 II)
The Red Bulls academy product signed for Hannover 96 II last year following trials and a successful outing at the U-17 World Cup in India. Gloster, who can also put in a shift at the wing, told Goal.com that he wants to follow in the footsteps of Hannover hero and United States defensive stalwart Steve Cherundolo. He will likely be a sub for Matthew Real at left-back.
Right Back: Sergino Dest (18 y/o, Ajax/Jong Ajax)
The Dutch-born defender is Ramos’ first choice on the right flank, where his attacking instincts have also seen him on the right wing. He scored his first goal against Venezuela and recorded an assist against France in friendlies. Dest currently plays for Ajax youth teams; with the strong performance of Ajax fullbacks this season, a loan move might be on the cards, especially after he signed a professional contract with the champions in December.
Right Back: Julian Araujo (17 y/o, LA Galaxy/LA Galaxy II)
The youngest player on the squad, Araujo was called up to replace the injured forward Ayo Akinola. Araujo has only made 5 appearances with the Galaxy senior team, but the experience here — even if its on the bench — will help. Barring injuries or rotation though, I don’t expect to see him much.
Center Back: Aboubacar Keita (19 y/o, Columbus Crew/Richmond Kickers)
The central defender, is a new addition to the player pool after joining the Crew and going on loan to the Kickers. Keita came off the bench and provided an assist to Christian Cappis in the young Yanks’ 2–2 friendly draw with France. However, it’s unlikely that he’ll break the established pairing of McKenzie-Richards to start in the World Cup.
Midfield
Center Midfield: Alex Mendez (18 y/o, Freiburg/Freiburg II)
The player I’m most excited to watch by far. 2018’s U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year was the Man of the Match against Mexico in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships Final, scoring a brace and nearly getting a third with a free kick that struck the post. He will be one of the U.S.’s main creative outlets and their set piece taker.
The Galaxy youth product was involved in mild controversy over his signing, which is thought to have been encouraged by his academy coach Brian Kleiban. Kleiban’s brother Gary helped sign Mendez and U20 teammate Uly Lainez to pro contracts in Germany, but this resulted in Brian’s firing at the Galaxy academy, as the two American internationals rejected contracts with the MLS club.
Attacking Midfield: Paxton Pomykal (19 y/o, F.C. Dallas)
I’ve put him down as a central midfielder, but don’t worry Dallas fans, I’m quite aware that he can play as an attacking midfielder or winger as well. The latest to roll off the Dallas production line, Pomykal is already getting regular appearances with his club. The midfielder will be running at defenders for Ramos’ team, and his dribbling ability and eye for a pass will be key for the Americans’ goalscoring. Pomykal may also start on the left wing, as the U.S. doesn’t have a natural winger there.
Center Midfield: Richie Ledezma (18 y/o, PSV Eindhoven/PSV U19s)
Another relatively new player with only 2 caps to his name, Ledezma moved to the PSV youth squads in the Netherlands on a free transfer and is slowly building up appearances. He’s likely to be a rotation or depth option for Pomykal and Mendez.
Defensive Midfield: Brandon Servania (20 y/o, FC Dallas)
Servania anchored the team’s midfield at the CONCACAF Championships last year and he’s likely to do the same for Tab Ramos’ side in Poland. The Alabama native has stiff competition for his midfield place at his club, but for the U20s he will be vital in shielding the backline when the attacking midfielders move forward.
Defensive Midfield: Chris Durkin (19 y/o, DC United)
Durkin was unable to play at the CONCACAF qualifying tournaments due to his commitments to DC United, but the young midfielder made good on his chances at the capital team, where he worked his way into the starting lineup due to injuries in midfield. Durkin was an integral part of the U17’s midfield in the World Cup at India, and it’s likely that he plays a similar role in Poland.
Defensive Midfield: Edwin Cerrillo (18 y/o, FC Dallas)
Cerrillo is one of a few uncapped players headed into the World Cup, with his Dallas form catching Tab Ramos’ eye. The stacked Dallas midfield means that Cerrillo has spent a lot of time playing for the 2nd team North Texas Soccer Club, but the few minutes he has played with the senior team were enough to convince Ramos that he should be on the plane. He will likely be a sub off the bench for either Durkin or Servania.
Attack
Right Winger: Timothy Weah (19 y/o, Paris St. Germain)
Listed here as a winger, Weah can play across the front line, and his experience at both club and national level will make him one of the U.S.’s attacking leaders. Grant Wahl said that Weah is the player he’s looking out for, and Weah himself will hope that others share that viewpoint as he’s likely to seek either another loan or a transfer out of Paris. Weah’s speed in the counterattack will be vital if the U.S. needs to protect a lead or against some of the more possession-dominant teams in Poland.
Right Winger: Konrad de la Fuente (17 y/o, Barcelona/Barcelona youth)
The winger whose youth coaches described as “desequilibrante” due to his ability to terrorize defenses is one of the players to keep an eye on for the young Yanks. de la Fuente is another versatile forward who can play on the left wing or even as a center-forward. He will likely be a reserve for the more experienced attackers, but his pace will be a lethal weapon if the U.S. need a late goal. He grabbed his first goal for the U-20s in a March friendly against France, kickstarting their 2 goal comeback to get a 2–2 draw.
Left Winger: Ulysses Llanez Jr. (18 y/o, Vfl Wolfsburg/Wolfsburg II)
I mentioned him briefly above as one of the players involved in the firing of Galaxy coach Brian Kleiban, but Llanez’s goalscoring ability certainly helped Wolfsburg decide to sign him. He scored 48 goals in 79 appearances for the U-14 Galaxy side and with 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 U20 games, he will be Ramos’ first choice on the left. Llanez is impressively fast and an excellent dribbler who gets into goalscoring positions.
Center Forward: Justin Rennicks (20 y/o, New England Revolution)
The Revolutions academy product has only made one senior appearance since leaving the University of Indiana, but it’s a different story at international level where he boasts 6 in 13. In addition to his goalscoring prowess, Rennicks will be key in holding up the play so that the likes of Llanez, Pomykal, Weah and Mendez can join the attack. While college isn’t usually the optimal way to develop youth, Rennicks said that playing for Indiana greatly aided his physical development as a player.
Center Forward: Sebastian Soto (18 y/o, Hannover 96 youth)
Another Real Salt Lake product, Soto has mostly been 2nd choice to Rennicks or Ayo Akinola as the team’s #9. Akinola’s injury and Soto’s goals against Costa Rica and Honduras will put him in Ramos’ mind as a starter in Poland. Soto is described as a natural goal poacher and a super sub role might suit him best for now.
Likely Starting Lineup and Group
This is the formation that Ramos went with when the USA beat Japan in Spain. With the absence of Christian Cappis and Ayo Akinola, I put Rennicks in at center-forward and moved Pomykal to Cappis’ spot. I subbed de la Fuente out for Weah, figuring Ramos would want experience up top against Ukraine. I also moved Durkin in over Servania at the deep midfield spot out of personal preference.
The USA will play Ukraine, Nigeria and Qatar in Group D. This could be deceptively tough — Nigeria are proven quality at the youth level and Ukraine also have talented players, including Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin in the goal. Given Qatar’s investment at youth level, I would not be surprised if they pull out a shock win of their own.
How Far Can They Go?
Ramos has brought the U20s to 2 quarterfinals, where they fell to 2 finalists (Serbia in 2015 and Venezuela in 2017) and the talent in this squad means a repeat is likely. However, a tough group is very capable of ending their ambitions early. Quarterfinals will remain my prediction
Omissions
Josh Sargent and Tyler Adams: Technically, these 2 are still eligible for the World Cup, but both are on senior duty at the Gold Cup. Tim Weah is actually eligible for that as well, but wanted to play at the World Cup instead.
CB: James Sands (18 y/o, NYCFC)
If I had to pick one player to add to this roster, it would be Sands. A central defender who is also comfortable at defensive midfield, New York City’s first homegrown player is comfortable on the ball and more than capable of handling physical strikers, having picked up plenty of experience in MLS. It is tough to include him given the 3 CBs on the squad, but he could have been an option over Cerrillo. Either way, a defensive player that is comfortable in possession is incredibly valuable for the U.S., who tend to struggle when pressured high.
Ending Thoughts
This squad is a little less top heavy than 2017’s, but the balance throughout the midfield and the experience that the likes of McKenzie, Mendez and Weah bring should mean overall more controlled performances in Poland. The U.S. will definitely be one of the more threatening sides on the counterattack, as Pomykal and Mendez’s passing, Durkin and Servania’s ball-winning and the pace of Weah, Llanez and Rennicks can open up most teams. My concerns will be how the midfield handles possession, a chronic flaw in U.S. teams, but hopefully Mendez can help on that front.
Regardless of how they do, however, I’m still convinced that this will be a very bright generation for the U.S. As I mentioned in the intro, every player on this roster went through MLS academies from a young age, and even the ones who played in college had the same academy training. Due to the rather outdated rules of academy compensation that U.S. Soccer enforces, we’ve seen a lot of players move early to Europe, mostly to the Bundesliga, which does help with their development (sadly at the cost of MLS teams and their academies).
The United States play against Ukraine tomorrow at Stadium Miejski in Bielsko-Biala. The game is on at 2:30 p.m. EST on Fox Sports 1. They will play Nigeria on the following Monday, and conclude the group against Qatar next Thursday.
