ERIC LICKERT WAS NERVOUS after a recent U-19 game. His coach wanted to see him. In all his years at SC Freiburg, his hometown club that he joined at the U-13 level, this was exceedingly rare behavior. Had he done something wrong?

The news came as a complete surprise, but a good one.

“Everyone was still tired but he came up to me, said that I played really well, and that I was invited to play for the U.S [U-20] national team,” Lickert told American Soccer Now. “He said he was really proud of me, that it was a gift, and that I should take that gift and do my best. I was really surprised. I would never have thought I would get an invitation.”

The news of a U.S. U-20 call-up was unexpected for Lickert even though the 18-year-old visits his maternal grandparents and family in Minneapolis regularly. He has never lived in the United States and had no idea the American coaching staff was watching. Lickert is unsure how Tab Ramos even discovered him.

“I just want to play soccer [at the highest level] possible,” he said. “I don’t really mind playing soccer for Germany or for the United States. But I’m definitely glad I got an invitation and so I’m focusing on the U.S. national team right now, of course.”

At Freiburg, Lickert plays primarily as a holding midfielder and that has always been his primary and favorite position. Earlier this season he played on the right wing occasionally and last season he played a stretch at right back.

He has progressed through every level of Freiburg and has the goal of breaking into the U-23 team in 2014.

As he travels to the Florida on Friday for the U-20 camp, Lickert says his emotions are all over the place. He does know some American players, like Georgetown’s Alex Muyl (who will also be at the camp in Florida), Tijuana’s Paul Arriola, and Hoffenheim’s Russell Canouse who may be the U.S U-20 captain this cycle.

One of Lickert’s closest American friends involved in soccer is 2013 U.S. U-20 captain Caleb Stanko. Stanko is currently with Freiburg’s U-23’s where he is one of the team leaders. Stanko has known Lickert for several years now and is confident he will have an impact on the team.

“Eric is a solid center midfielder and is versatile enough to play multiple positions on the field,” Stanko said. “I think one of his strongest attributes is his vision on the field. I think Eric will do very well with the U-20s and should fit in right away with the guys.”

Despite his familiarity with a few American players, Lickert's trip to Florida for his first taste of international soccer will be a trip into the unknown with uncertain expectations. He does, however, realize the opportunity in front of him.

“I guess I’m a little bit nervous too because I don’t know too many of the players,” Lickert explained. “But I’m definitely excited and I’m really motivated because I want to prove myself. I know it’s a big honor to play with them. My expectations are all completely open to me. I hope that I’ll learn a lot because I know that Tab Ramos is a very good coach. I expect I’ll gain some experience that maybe I would not gain in Europe.”