U.S. U-20 MNT roster announced for pre-World Cup training camp

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) — U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Tab Ramos has named a 25-player roster for the team’s first international training camp of the year, taking place from April 3-10 in London, England. The camp will not only aid the USA in preparation for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic, but will also allow U-20 MNT head coach and Youth Technical Director Tab Ramos to evaluate many European-based players.

“This camp provides one more opportunity for players we have already seen with the U-20 National Team and also players who have done well with our U-19 National Team,” Ramos said. “We will be able to see players in highly competitive environments playing against very good competition.”

The USA is set to open Group F play of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup against Ecuador on May 22 followed by Senegal (May 25) and Saudi Arabia (May 28). Incheon Stadium will be the host venue for the USA’s first two matches, while Daejeon World Cup Stadium will be home to the third match of group play.

“All players coming in to this camp have the potential to make our U-20 World Cup final squad,” Ramos said. “I am sure that there will be a few players who will be selected for the U20 World Cup based on their performance at this camp.”

The England training camp marks the first gathering of the U-20 MNT since the USA became the first team to win the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship on March 5, after defeating Honduras on penalty kicks in the final. Six players from the CONCACAF Championship team, who defeated Mexico for the first time in the tournament since 1986, are making the trip to London, which is set to include several scrimmages.

The birth years for players in this camp range from 1997 to 1999. The age cut-off for this U-20 player pool is players born on or after Jan. 1, 1997.

Roster Notes:

• Ten players are making their U-20 player pool debuts: Danny Barbir, Sebastian Des Pres, Felipe Hernandez, Lagos Kunga, Djordje Mihailovic, Keaton Parks, Stephen Payne, Brandon Terwege and Mason Toye
• Of the 25 players called into this camp, 24 have spent time in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Four players have registered five seasons at an Academy club: Hugo Arellano, Collin Fernandez, JT Marcinkowski and John Nelson.
• Born in 1999, goalkeeper Brady Scott of De Anza Force is the youngest player on the roster.

U.S. U-20 MNT Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown University; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.), Justin Vom Steeg (Fortuna Dusseldorf; Santa Barbara, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (8): Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy; Norwalk, Calif.), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion F.C.; Allentown, Pa.), Marcello Borges (University of Michigan; Kearny, N.J.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Casa Grande, Ariz.), John Nelson (Internationals SC; Medina, OH), Keaton Parks (Plano, Texas; Unattached), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; Arlington, Mass.), Brandon Terwege (FC Dallas; Highland Village, Texas)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Mukwelle Akale (Villarreal CF; Minneapolis, Minn.), Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire; Bridgeview, IL), Jeremiah Gutjahr (Indiana University; Bloomington, IN), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; Bridgeview, Ill.), James Murphy (Sheffield Wednesday F.C.; Scotch Plains, N.J.), Yosef Samuel (Bethlehem Steel FC; Atlanta, Ga.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.)

FORWARDS (6): Sebastien Des Pres (Blackpool FC; San Diego, Calif.), Felipe Hernandez (Swope Park Rangers; Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC, Tucker, Ga.), Stephen Paybe (Estoril Praia; Birmingham, Ala.), Emmanuel Sabbi (UD Las Palmas; Columbus, OH), Mason Toye (PDA, South Orange, N.J.)