Five U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team Players to Know Ahead of the World Cup

(Pictured Above: U-20 USMNT midfielder Owen Wolff, a member of MLS club Austin FC)

By Sean Maslin
SoccerWire Staff Writer

The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team will compete in the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup later this month, and the USA’s final 21-player roster has been unveiled.

The USA will face Ecuador (May 20), Fiji (May 23), and Slovakia (May 26) in Group B action in Argentina. The top two teams from the group will advance to the knockout stage.

As normally happens with U.S. Youth National Team rosters, the lineup is a mix of players that may be familiar to some supporters, along with others that are brand new to the American soccer consciousness.

Ahead of the this year’s tournament, here are five names to know.

Darren Yapi (Forward – Colorado Rapids)

He earned a spot on the final roster despite earning his first call-up just this year. Yapi initially signed with the Rapids on a Homegrown Contract at the age of 16 and has steadily earned playing with both the senior side and their MLS Next Pro Team Rapids 2, where he scored six goals for them in 2022.

For USMNT U20 head coach Mikey Varas, Yapi’s hard work and determination were contributing factors in his inclusion on the roster.

“We have been monitoring him for a long time now,” said Vargas. “He put his down, went to work, and never complained. His club team also did a great job at advocating for him and providing us with updates on his progression. I am very proud of him.”

Daniel Edelman (Midfielder – New York Red Bulls)

The U-20 USMNT captain, Edelman is the driving force in the midfield for the side using his speed to push the side from a defensive posture to an attacking one. The Warren Township, N.J. native signed with the Red Bulls as a Homegrown Player in 2020 and was the captain of their USL Championship at the age of 18. He has received some minutes with the senior side in 2023, starting six games. Last season, he made 10 starts on 16 appearances and scored his first professional goal in their 3-1 win over Inter Miami CF.

Joshua Wyndner (Defender – Louisville City SC)

Another player who used a strong spring with his club side to book a spot in the roster, Wyndner has been one of the top defensive players in the USL Championship over the past two seasons. A 6-foot-3 center-back with speed, Wyndner is dangerous both in the air and on the ground and can make decisive clears with both his feet and his head. He is also a danger on set pieces, scoring two goals last season.

Owen Wolff (Midfielder – Austin FC)

The son of former USMNT player/Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff, Owen has made a name for himself with his precision passing for La Verde and the U.S. U-20s. Last week, he was named to MLS’ Team of the Matchday for his two assist effort in Austin’s come-from-behind draw against the Portland Timbers. He is also a weapon up top, as evidenced by his goal in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship final, a 6-0 win for the US.

From Austin to the world’s stage.

Best of luck at the U20 World Cup with the @USYNT, Owen! pic.twitter.com/wvTS9ZXxWP

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) May 10, 2023

Quinn Sullivan (Forward – Philadelphia Union)

A lightning quick attacker that can hit his shots with both speed and pace, Sullivan is considered to be one of the top young forwards in the USYNT system. He placed second in goals during qualification with six, including a hat trick in the decisive 3-0 win over Cuba in the group stage. Sullivan signed a Homegrown Player deal with the Union at the age of 16 and has gone on to make 46 appearances for the senior team.

? ⏯️ #CU20 | @USYNT ?? ? ?? Cuba

Enjoy the highlights of the game! ?

?️ For the matchday recap go to https://t.co/IkTzRTv7r0 ? pic.twitter.com/NzK2JkRRfR

— Concacaf (@Concacaf) June 23, 2022