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U-20 National Team

Tab Ramos Names 22 Players to Under-20 Team

Want a glimpse at the future of U.S. soccer? The 22 players called in for the U-20 national team will be pushing for a spot on the 2015 U-20 World Cup squad, and full national consideration after that.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
November 08, 2013
2:36 PM
THE UNITED STATES under-20 men’s national team head coach Tab Ramos released his first roster of the 2015 World Cup cycle on Friday, calling in 22 players who will gather next week in Verona, Italy, for a 10-day training camp.

The names included will not be unfamiliar to those who have followed the U.S under-17 and under-18 squads over the past two years, with several players from the 1996 age group returning from last year’s failed U-17 World Cup qualifying campaign. Nineteen players also have ties to the U.S. Developmental Academy, and eight on the roster are currently registered there.

Here’s the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Santiago Castano (New York Red Bulls), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK)

DEFENDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; pictured above), Conor Donovan (Capital Area RailHawks Academy), Matias Fracchia (NJSA 04), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Shaquell Moore (IMG Academy), John Requejo Jr. (Real So Cal)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Russell Canouse (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Marco Delgado (Chivas USA), Junior Flores (Borussia Dortmund), Romain Gall (FC Lorient), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland AFC), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham FC), Kristian Scott (Swansea City AFC), Omar Thompson (Wigan Athletic)

FORWARDS (6): Kainoa Bailey (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Benji Lopez (Real Salt Lake), Amando Moreno (New York Red Bulls), Zach Pfeffer (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Rubio Rubin (Unattached), Ben Spencer (Molde FK)

The locale of the camp gives Ramos a unique opportunity to incorporate several of his European-based talents early on in the cycle. With 11 players stationed abroad—from England, France, Germany, and Norway—Ramos hopes to take full advantage.

“This is purely a camp where we can get a better idea of where our players are,” Ramos said. “They are all players who are getting great experiences, and this particular camp gives us a good chance to see them in an international camp, playing in an international environment, which will give us a good idea of what these players can do.”

Due to the ongoing season, collegiate players were not made available for selection. Others, like Club Tijuana forward Paul Arriola, were likely left behind due to ongoing club commitments.

While in Italy, the squad will supplement its training with three friendly matches. On Nov. 13 the Americans will take on Serie A club Hellas Verona’s academy team before lining up against Iran’s U-20 national team five days later. The squad will close the camp against a yet-to-be-named opponent on Nov. 19.

ASN will have continued coverage of this U-20 squad in the coming days. Stay tuned.

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