NOW THAT THE UNITED STATES has bowed out of the U-20 World Cup, the focus and priority for the federation's youth national teams will shift to the U-23s, which will attempt to qualify for the Olympics this October.

This squad has been practicing together for more than a year but preparations ramped up in January when Andi Herzog was named the team’s head coach. He has brought an urgency, and some positive results, to the program.

In March the U-23s secured a decent win over Bosnia followed by a narrow loss to Denmark. In April, the Americans thoroughly outplayed Mexico in a 3-0 friendly win. Just recently, the U-23s finished a respectable third place in the Toulon Tournament.

Will Herzog incorporate any of the American under-20 players into his squad? It seems likely, as many enjoyed strong showings in New Zealand. Herzog was no doubt paying attention to Zack Steffen, Rubio Rubin, Cameron Carter-Vickers and others on Tab Ramos's squad—players who might just be ready to move up to an older age group.

A major issue is what happens with clubs releasing players? The second half of Olympic qualifying falls in a FIFA international window so there is a possibility that the U.S. will keep a spot open for a European-based player or two that will be released just for the end of the tournament.

The most difficult player to get released for this tournament will likely be John Brooks, who is age-eligible but also a regular Bundesliga starter. His club will not be anxious to let him miss club matches. Rubin might also be tricky since he was not released by Utrecht for U-20 World Cup qualifying in January and played nearly 2,000 minutes this season.

Other European-based players are more likely to accept the call. Carter-Vickers and Gedion Zelalem are not regular first-team contributors for their clubs. From recent experience, Fulham has been cooperative in releasing Emerson Hyndman. Similarly, most Mexican based clubs have been as well.

Given all of this, I am going to rule out Brooks but provide alternates to those European-based players who are most in jeopardy of not being released. Here 's my take.

Goalkeepers

1) Cody Cropper
2) Zack Steffen

IN THE MIX: Ethan Horvath, Charlie Horton, Jon Kempin, Tyler Miller.

The U-20 World Cup really made the goalkeeping picture for this team clear. Cody Cropper has been the team’s starting keeper since the start of the cycle. Zack Steffen enjoyed a breakout performance in New Zealand. Right now, it seems like these two are far out in front of the pack.

Defense

3) DeAndre Yedlin*
4) Desevio Payne­**
5) Walker Zimmerman
6) Shane O’Neill
7) Cameron Carter-Vickers
8) Matt Miazga
9) Juan Ocegueda
10) Dillon Serna

IN THE MIX: Oscar Sorto, Will Packwood, Kellyn Acosta, Christian Dean, Erik Palmer-Brown, Jon Requejo, Boyd Okwuonu, Sam Strong, Eric Miller.

*If either Yedlin or Payne are not released, replace with Oscar Sorto
** If both Payne and Yedlin are not released, replace with Sorto and Eric Miller

In central defense, Shane O’Neill had solid tournament in Toulon and Walker Zimmerman continues to earn consistent minutes with FC Dallas. Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga were nothing short of stellar with the U-20 team in 2015, playing together for 840 minutes between World Cup qualifying and the World Cup and conceded just three goals as a central defense pairing.

At right back, DeAndre Yedlin brings World Cup experience but Desevio Payne looks poised to contribute as well after an impressive U-20 World Cup. Payne could be particularly useful in that he can play along the back line, allowing Yedlin to slot into the midfield.

Left back is a thin position right now for this team. Juan Ocegueda probably gets the job based on his long history with this group. While Dillon Serna is by far a better midfielder than a left back, he can back up Ocegueda (as can Payne).

Midfielders

11) Fatai Alashe
12) Wil Trapp
13) Luis Gil
14) Emerson Hyndman* 
15) Gedion Zelalem**
16) Julian Green***

IN THE MIX: Marc Pelosi, Benji Joya, Daniel Metzger, Caleb Stanko, Cristian Roldan, Alejandro Guido, Matt Polster, Marco Delgado, Joel Sonora, Russell Canouse.

*If either Zelalem or Hydnman are not released, replace with Matt Polster
**If both Zelalem and Hyndman are not released, replace with Polster and Alejandro Guido 
***If Julian Green is not released, replace with Tommy Thompson

The midfield features a bunch of possession-minded players. Hyndman and Zelalem are smooth passers who can build off their World Cup experiences. Wil Trapp and Luis Gil now have significant professional experience and should be real assets.

While the issue of attacking from wide positions has been an issue with U.S. teams in the recent past, this potential roster has a huge advantage in this regard with Yedlin, Serna, Julian Green, and Paul Arriola. Green had some solid moments recently in the Toulon Tournament and Arriola demonstrated leadership and skill at the U-20 World Cup.

The defensive midfield position right now goes to Alashe who has established himself in the group. It is certainly possible that Chicago Fire rookie Matt Polster makes a push but Alashe has the edge based on his recent outings in Toulon. 

Forwards

17) Paul Arriola
18) Rubio Rubin*
19) Jose Villarreal
20) Jordan Morris

IN THE MIX: Khiry Shelton, Andrija Novakovich, Alonso Hernandez, Bradford Jamieson, Mario Rodriguez, Tommy Thompson, Jerome Kiesewetter, Alfred Koroma Shams.

*If Rubio Rubin is not released, replace with Khiry Shelton.

Jordan Morris is a near-lock after a terrific series of recent games at the international level for both the U-23 team and the full national team. Jose Villarreal has looked sharp this year for the Galaxy and looks like an improved player from the 2013 U.S. U-20 World Cup team.

As mentioned above, Rubin is likely to be a big part of Utrecht’s plans next season and may not get releases. As perhaps the best teenage American player right now, he might be worth it for Herzog to keep a spot open just for the later part of the qualifying tournament which falls on a FIFA window.

Should Rubin not be an option, New York City FC’s Khiry Shelton is a likely replacement. Andrija Novakovich is also an option but after Reading declined to release him for the U-20 World Cup which took place during the English offseason, it seems unlikely the club would be willing to release him for Olympic qualifying. 

The OUTLOOK

The roster Herzog took to Toulon is not good enough for qualifying. The rosters for the previous camps held this year were not ideal either. Given Jurgen Klinsmann's oft-stated belief in the prestige and value of Olympic soccer, Herzog will have to use every tool at his disposal to ensure qualification.

What do you think about the squad listed above? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Is there anybody on this list who doesn't belong there, or somebody not listed above who should be? Share your take in the Comments section below.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.