Photo courtesy of Derby County F.C.
Thomas Rongen has selected his 24-man roster for next week's United States Under-20 training camp, and it includes nine first-timers along with a number of players already established at that level.
Among the notable additions are Derby County's Conor Doyle, who will be making his first appearance at any level of the U.S. youth system, and Soony Saad, Michigan's prolific goal-scoring freshman.
The camp will be held from Dec. 12-19 in Sunrise, Fla., and it includes two friendlies against Canada, which will be played on Dec. 16 and 18.
For Saad, the Akron duo of Perry Kitchen and Zarek Valentin and Louisville's Dylan Mares, their arrival at the camp will likely depend on how their respective teams fare at this weekend's College Cup. The final is slated for the opening day of training camp.
Here's the U.S. U-20 roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Zac MacMath (Maryland), Kevin Piedrahita (America de Cali)
DEFENDERS: Gale Agbossoumonde (Estoril Praia), Greg Garza (Estoril Praia), Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke), Perry Kitchen (Akron), Eric Schoenle (West Virginia), Ben Sweat (South Florida), Zarek Valentin (Akron), Kory Veeder (Unattached)
MIDFIELDERS: Steven Evans (Portland), Joshua Gatt (SC Rheindorf Altach), Joe Gyau (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Alex Molano (Dinamo Zagreb), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United)
FORWARDS: Conor Doyle (Derby County), Dylan Mares (Louisville), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Adrian Ruelas (Celtic), Soony Saad (Michigan), Omar Salgado (Unattached)
Guys like Agbossoumonde, Gill, Valentin, Agudelo, Salgado, Lletget, Kempin, Fernandez, and Orozco have interesting scheduling issues. They are young enough to be on U-20, or U-18 teams, or good enough to be on the full USMNT (the U-18s I mention have played for the U-20s). With the crush of games, training camps and some still being in season for their professional (or college) teams, simply deciding which team or whether they should be called in for anything can make your head spin.
Renken + Gyau = Trouble
Renken’s letter to Santa:
Dear Santa,
Please bring me a new set of ligaments for my knee.
I tried to find milk and cookies but all i could find was beer and sausage. Enjoy!
Chuck
Also, both McInerney and Okugo just got back from the GA trip to Spain, where both saw significant playing time and Okugo in particular seems to have shown great skill and leadership. And of course the GA squad went 3-0 against some quality Spanish opponents. I have high hopes for both of them next year!
So would this mean Agbossoumonde probably doesn’t get the January call to the USMNT camp? It seemed to me he would after the SA callup in November.
Looks like only three current players for MLS, and two of them play for Philadelphia Union! That says a lot for Nowak and Hackworth’s ability to find and develop young talent.
I believe he’s slightly injured, nothing seroius. He was originally slated to go with the U-18’s
Is he any good? Can he play left back for DCU?
Guys like McTavish and Burch never played for US youth teams so this guy could be an upgrade…
Thanks Ives…this is probably the final look at some quality players who unfortunately will not make the cut but its good to see Rongen giving them a look…I like the list…LET’S GO USA!!!
If I’m not mistaken I think he traveled to Spain With GA. So it might just be rest
I got to see both Sarkodie and Valentin play in the PDL this year. I can see Sarkodie’s talent, but Valentin was definitely the better all round player.
And I see Luis Gil is not on the U-18 traveling to Tel Aviv? 2009 US Soccer young male player of the year and unless I’m missing something, he now doesn’t make the U-18 or U-20 team?
Hopefully it’s due to something else on his schedule? Been excited to watch the kid play.
He was. Except that CP Baltimore is no more. They hope ot be back in 2012, under a different brand.
How dare you question Mark? WHo do you think you are?
I thought Luis Gil was now on U-20s? Where is he?
YES!!! Zac MacMath is back!! That guy is king, or at least will be as long as he keeps working at it! Great performer during the Milk Cup (wish that other keeper we took along was that good). Ask MacMath about his time at Everton training with Tim Howard!
He is a part of the future of US soccer.
I like that there are only a few hold-overs from the group that played in Atlanta at the end of last month. I also think Jack Mac is a very good player. He had a pretty good scoring record last year for the limited time he played and (if I’m not wrong) led scoring for the u-17’s last cycle.
It does not matter who gets called up! As long as we have mediocre leadership! WRongen? is that the best we can do? we need talented, experienced leadership. This is where we have to invest in a quality coach. These are our future generations.
I’ve got high hopes for Jack McInerney. I think he’s got the potential to be a dangerous goal scorer for the USA … a more skilled version of Joe-Max Moore.
Sarkodie and Polak would have added something at the outside back positions. Anybody seen Ben Sweat play?
if he could turn some of his dribbling into accurate passing and shooting I would start to agree.
Thank God. I’ve been waiting for Joseph Gyau to show back up on the radar, he’s a great young talent that could turn into a great attacking player for us in the future.
Does anyone know if this event is open to the public or whether there are any designated times for public viewing?
I wonder if Zahavi wasn’t allowed to leave by his club.
Anyone know if this is open to the public and if so do they sell tickets?
Chivas USA discovered him had him in their academy. Was poached by Santos Laguna. Big kid, 6’1” striker.
Santos loaned him to Celtic FC with buy option.
Kicked a$$ in the Milk cup.
He is the future of US Soccer.
This highlights how many strikers we have in this pool, it’s a great development. Hope a few turn into real prospects.
I thought Kory Veeder was with CP Baltimore
According to a poster on Big Soccer (who appears to be family or a friend), he’s back to full contact practice and could be on the Hoffenheim roster after the winter break.
Yea i would like to hear an update on him as well.
Is Renken still injured?
I think he just had an ok season in PDL last year and is probably off everyone’s radar for now.
nine first timers!
How about Felix Garcia? Is he off the US radar now that he is not in dynamo yet?
Mexican-American striker who has been on trial with Celtic. First played with for the US in the Milk Cup and scored a few goals. Looks like a pure striker to me. Google his name, and you’ll come up with a few interviews.
maybe he is also resting as he just came back from Spain
Steven Evans! Well Deserved. Congratulations!!
anyone know anything about Adrian Ruelas?
Hey Ives, explain something to me:
Why does it seem like the same kids invariably get called into all these camps/trips? I noticed that the U18 team going to Europe is essentially the same team that went down to Argentina and got whooped on. Why not try new kids out? Isn’t now the time to try as many different players as possible? I find it hard to believe that those 18 kids are so clearly better than everyone else…especially when I’ve seen with my own eyes that they are not.
Question Mark?
Who is Kevin Piedrahita?
Tristan Bowen?
good call, Ives. He is in Europe with GA, so some rest is probably due.
good question!
where’s Agudelo?
(SBI-Some rest before the Senior camp in January?
And please don’t use a website’s address as your name anymore. Thanks)