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U-20 analysis
Ramos names 21 for U-20 camp in Florida
After a successful March camp in Spain, U.S. U-20 head coach Tab Ramos has called up a new roster for upcoming games against Honduras. Brian Sciaretta breaks down the camp for you and well as where the team stands.
UNITED STATES U-20 HEAD COACH Tab Ramos today announced his roster for an upcoming camp which will take place in Florida before traveling to Honduras for two games against the Honduran U-20 team.
The roster lacks most of the top names of the age group as it is not a FIFA international window and clubs are not required to release players. Still, there are important players here who should play a role in the team moving forward.
Here is the roster along with a few takeaways.
GOALKEEPERS (2):David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.), Seth Stiebel (Saint Louis FC; O'Fallon, Miss.)
DEFENDERS (6):Glademir Mendoza (Real Salt Lake; Phoenix, Ariz.), Manny Perez (N.C. State University; Garner, N.C.), Matthew Real (Philadelphia Union; Drexel Hill, Pa.), Chris Richards (FC Dallas; Hoover, Ala.), Sam Rogers (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.), Angel Uribe (Club Tijuana; San Diego, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (7):Frankie Amaya (Pateadores; Santa Ana, Calif.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta, Ga.), Andres Jimenez (Envigado FC; Miami, Fla.), Richie Ledezma (Real Salt Lake; Casa Grande, Ariz.), Alex Mendez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Aristotle Zarris (LA Galaxy; Sarasota, Fla.)
FORWARDS (6):Simon Becher (Oakwood Academy SC; Brooklyn, Conn.), Shaft Brewer Jr. (LAFC; Sacramento, Calif.), Wilson Harris (Sporting Kansas City; Encino, Calif.), Abdulkadir Haji (Manchester, N.H.; Virginia Commonwealth University), Ulysses Llanez Jr. (LA Galaxy; Lynwood, Calif.), Justin Rennicks (Indiana University; Hamilton, Mass.)
The most high-profile name on the roster is Atlanta United’s Andrew Carleton who is expected to be a big part of not only this U-20 team but also the U-23 team next year. Playing time at a talented Atlanta team is hard to come by for Carleton but the U-20 team is giving him a chance to contribute and be the key player for a team.
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As a veteran of the U-17 World Cup team last year, Carleton needs to use this camp to cement his status as a starter and leader in the attack.
As U-20 World Cup qualifying approaches, there are several players on this roster who have seen an increased role in Tab Ramos team over the first few camps of this cycle.
Richie Ledesma: Real Salt Lake’s Richie Ledesma was very impressive for the U-20 team last camp where he stood out in a win over France. As it is appeaing possible that Tyler Adams might not be part of this U-20 team during the cycle due to national team commitments, Ledesma’s stock is rising within the team and he has surged past other players. With a good camp here it is possible to see him starting in qualifying and possibly the World Cup.
Manny Perez: At North Carolina State, Perez plays mostly as a winger but Ramos believes he is best used as a right back. Last year he turned down an opportunity to sign a Generation Adidas for MLS and could instead turn professional this summer. He appears to be the starting right back for this U-20 team but could have competition from Ajax’s Sergino Dest. With Dest not in this camp, Perez has a big opportunity to tighten his grip on the starting job.
Chris Goslin: A central midfielder and veteran of last year’s U-17 World Cup team, Goslin’s main competition for the U-20 team is the injured Brandon Servania and, of course, Chris Durkin who is having a tough time getting involved with this team due to commitments with DC United – where he is a starter. An Atlanta United homegrown, Goslin has an opportunity at this camp with his main competition absent.
Frankie Amaya: The Santa Ana native scored the winning goal for the U.S. team last camp against France and all reports were that he impressed throughout the camp in Europe. Now the Pateadores attacking midfielder can strengthen his case to be part of World Cup qualifying by building on his performance in March.
Chris Richards: After two very strong cycles at the position, central defense is weaker this cycle for the U-20 team. Philadelphia’s Mark McKenzie appears to be the top option in central defense but after that, the competition is wide open. Chris Richards is a homegrown from FC Dallas and recently spent time training in Germany with Bayern Munich.
The list of age-eligible players not at this camp is long. Top goalkeeper Brady Scott of FC Cologne is still in Germany as is Ajax U-19 right back Sergino Dest.
FC Nordsjaelland winger Jonathan Amon was asked to play in this camp but is currently a starter with the Danish club which has important games remaining. Similarly, Schalke’s Nick Taitague is considered to be an important player at this age group but is still with Schalke and has dealt with injuries this past season.
It is known that Werder Bremen forward Josh Sargent will be called up to the full national team later this month and it is also likely that Tim Weah will as well after earning his first senior cap in March. Meanwhile New York Red Bull standout Tyler Adams continues to look like a key player for the U.S. team the moment and if he does play for this team, it will probably only be at qualifying or the U-20 World Cup.
In MLS, Philadelphia center back Mark McKenize and DC United central midfielder Chris Durkin are both first team players with their clubs and were unable to take part. Meanwhile, FC Dallas homegrown Brandon Servania is injured.
Finally, Union Berlin and Germany U-19 central defender Lennard Maloney is still in season but ASN has heard that he has been in contact with U.S. Soccer. It is very possible that he plays with the team in future camps.
While it is not confirmed by CONCACAF, ASN is hearing that U-20 World Cup qualifying could be very early this cycle - possibly in November with the U.S. hosting the event in Florida. So Ramos does not have much time left to sort out his depth chart.
So the bottom line is that when compared with the players who are not here as well as players from the U-19 or U-18 teams that could impress and move up into this team, there is still a lot of competition to be part of this U-20 team come World Cup qualifying. It is camps like these which will help Ramos make up his mind.
The roster lacks most of the top names of the age group as it is not a FIFA international window and clubs are not required to release players. Still, there are important players here who should play a role in the team moving forward.
Here is the roster along with a few takeaways.
The Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2):David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.), Seth Stiebel (Saint Louis FC; O'Fallon, Miss.)
DEFENDERS (6):Glademir Mendoza (Real Salt Lake; Phoenix, Ariz.), Manny Perez (N.C. State University; Garner, N.C.), Matthew Real (Philadelphia Union; Drexel Hill, Pa.), Chris Richards (FC Dallas; Hoover, Ala.), Sam Rogers (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.), Angel Uribe (Club Tijuana; San Diego, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (7):Frankie Amaya (Pateadores; Santa Ana, Calif.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta, Ga.), Andres Jimenez (Envigado FC; Miami, Fla.), Richie Ledezma (Real Salt Lake; Casa Grande, Ariz.), Alex Mendez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Aristotle Zarris (LA Galaxy; Sarasota, Fla.)
FORWARDS (6):Simon Becher (Oakwood Academy SC; Brooklyn, Conn.), Shaft Brewer Jr. (LAFC; Sacramento, Calif.), Wilson Harris (Sporting Kansas City; Encino, Calif.), Abdulkadir Haji (Manchester, N.H.; Virginia Commonwealth University), Ulysses Llanez Jr. (LA Galaxy; Lynwood, Calif.), Justin Rennicks (Indiana University; Hamilton, Mass.)
Carleton leads the way
The most high-profile name on the roster is Atlanta United’s Andrew Carleton who is expected to be a big part of not only this U-20 team but also the U-23 team next year. Playing time at a talented Atlanta team is hard to come by for Carleton but the U-20 team is giving him a chance to contribute and be the key player for a team.
C
As a veteran of the U-17 World Cup team last year, Carleton needs to use this camp to cement his status as a starter and leader in the attack.
Players on the rise
As U-20 World Cup qualifying approaches, there are several players on this roster who have seen an increased role in Tab Ramos team over the first few camps of this cycle.
Richie Ledesma: Real Salt Lake’s Richie Ledesma was very impressive for the U-20 team last camp where he stood out in a win over France. As it is appeaing possible that Tyler Adams might not be part of this U-20 team during the cycle due to national team commitments, Ledesma’s stock is rising within the team and he has surged past other players. With a good camp here it is possible to see him starting in qualifying and possibly the World Cup.
Manny Perez: At North Carolina State, Perez plays mostly as a winger but Ramos believes he is best used as a right back. Last year he turned down an opportunity to sign a Generation Adidas for MLS and could instead turn professional this summer. He appears to be the starting right back for this U-20 team but could have competition from Ajax’s Sergino Dest. With Dest not in this camp, Perez has a big opportunity to tighten his grip on the starting job.
Chris Goslin: A central midfielder and veteran of last year’s U-17 World Cup team, Goslin’s main competition for the U-20 team is the injured Brandon Servania and, of course, Chris Durkin who is having a tough time getting involved with this team due to commitments with DC United – where he is a starter. An Atlanta United homegrown, Goslin has an opportunity at this camp with his main competition absent.
Frankie Amaya: The Santa Ana native scored the winning goal for the U.S. team last camp against France and all reports were that he impressed throughout the camp in Europe. Now the Pateadores attacking midfielder can strengthen his case to be part of World Cup qualifying by building on his performance in March.
Chris Richards: After two very strong cycles at the position, central defense is weaker this cycle for the U-20 team. Philadelphia’s Mark McKenzie appears to be the top option in central defense but after that, the competition is wide open. Chris Richards is a homegrown from FC Dallas and recently spent time training in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Who is not here?
The list of age-eligible players not at this camp is long. Top goalkeeper Brady Scott of FC Cologne is still in Germany as is Ajax U-19 right back Sergino Dest.
FC Nordsjaelland winger Jonathan Amon was asked to play in this camp but is currently a starter with the Danish club which has important games remaining. Similarly, Schalke’s Nick Taitague is considered to be an important player at this age group but is still with Schalke and has dealt with injuries this past season.
It is known that Werder Bremen forward Josh Sargent will be called up to the full national team later this month and it is also likely that Tim Weah will as well after earning his first senior cap in March. Meanwhile New York Red Bull standout Tyler Adams continues to look like a key player for the U.S. team the moment and if he does play for this team, it will probably only be at qualifying or the U-20 World Cup.
In MLS, Philadelphia center back Mark McKenize and DC United central midfielder Chris Durkin are both first team players with their clubs and were unable to take part. Meanwhile, FC Dallas homegrown Brandon Servania is injured.
Finally, Union Berlin and Germany U-19 central defender Lennard Maloney is still in season but ASN has heard that he has been in contact with U.S. Soccer. It is very possible that he plays with the team in future camps.
While it is not confirmed by CONCACAF, ASN is hearing that U-20 World Cup qualifying could be very early this cycle - possibly in November with the U.S. hosting the event in Florida. So Ramos does not have much time left to sort out his depth chart.
So the bottom line is that when compared with the players who are not here as well as players from the U-19 or U-18 teams that could impress and move up into this team, there is still a lot of competition to be part of this U-20 team come World Cup qualifying. It is camps like these which will help Ramos make up his mind.
