A spot in the Under-20 World Cup is on the line for the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National team, and head coach Tab Ramos has called in a series of experienced professionals and highly-touted rookies to help lift his side to this summer’s tournament.
Portland Timbers rookie Jeremy Ebobisse, Sporting KC centerback Erik Palmer-Brown and goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann headline the 20-player roster bound for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which runs from Feb. 17-March 5 in Costa Rica. The U.S. was drawn into Group B alongside Panama, Haiti and Saint Kitts and Nevis with the team’s group opener against Panama set for Feb. 17.
“This process is always difficult,” Ramos said. “Inevitably you always end up leaving a couple guys out who deserve to be on the roster. When selecting a roster for a tournament like this, where you are trying to qualify to the world cup, you are putting together a best 11 and then players who can play multiple positions. So that’s what we’ve done. We are happy with the team and we are looking forward to qualifying.”
Palmer-Brown is set to serve as captain, joining a unit that also includes fellow MLS defenders in Justen Glad, Austin Trusty and Tommy Redding. The midfield includes highly-touted New York Red Bulls prospect Tyler Adams, NYCFC draft pick Jonathan Lewis and Fulham’s Luca de la Torre, while Ebobisse and Las Palmas forward Emmanual Sabbi headline the attack.
In total, 11 of the 20 players are members of MLS clubs with four coming from Real Salt Lake.
Here’s a closer look at the roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, Calif.)
DEFENDERS: Marlon Fossey (Fulham F.C.; Surbiton, England), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Aaron Herrera (New Mexico; Casa Grande, Ariz.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; Media, Pa.)
MIDFIELDERS: Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y), Coy Craft (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Luca De la Torre (Fulham F.C.; San Diego, Calif.), Jonathan Gonzalez (CF Monterrey; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Jeremiah Gutjahr (Indiana University; Bloomington, Ind.), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; Plantation, Fla.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.)
FORWARDS: Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Emmanuel Sabbi (UD Las Palmas; Libertyville, Ill.)
Anyone know if Juve still have their eye on EPB?
No
No you don’t know or no Juve doesn’t have their eye on him.
I like how there is 4 Real Salt Lake guys on this team, that is more than any other squad. The Academy is working
Palmer-Brown needs to Europe. He is too good to continue in MLS.
How about he actually starts in MLS before he becomes “too good to continue” in MLS? Freakin Eurosnob.
He’s made 7 MLS starts plus 2 Open Cup starts and a CCL start, clearly Mike saw enough in those 10 starts plus a few sub appearances totaling around 750 minutes.
Perhaps what Mike meant to say is he needs to go back to a reserve side in Europe, instead of languishing in the USL with Swope Park Rangers.
he was in Europe last year…
Any word on TV times and channels, last u20 WC qualifiers were on fox sports I think.
Ussoccer.com has no tv listed as of Feb. 9. Would think there will be just hasn’t been announced yet.