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Mendez, Mihailovic, Soto headline U.S. U-23 roster for September friendly, camp

Alex Mendez, Djordje Mihailovic, and Sebastian Soto headline the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team roster for a September friendly and camp.

Jason Kreis’ side will participate in a camp from Sept. 1-10 while also facing Japan in on the 9th in Chula Vista, Cali.

The friendly against Japan will be the next step for the U-23’s, who take part in Concacaf Olympic Qualifying in March-April 2020. Two sides from that qualifying tournament will clinch a spot in next year’s Olympic Tournament.

Joining the trio listed above is several MLS talents including Brenden Aaronson, Sebastian Saucedo, Mason Toye, and Brandon Servania.

Mendez’s PSV teammate Chris Gloster has also been named to the roster, as well as VVV-Venlo Haji Wright, and Kilmarnock’s Niko Hamalainen.

Here’s the entire roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union; Wayne, Pa.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; Alamo, Calif.), Andrew Thomas (Stanford; London, England)

DEFENDERS: Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls; New York, N.Y.), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Chris Gloster (PSV Eindhoven/NED; Montclair, N.J.), Niko Hamalainen (Kilmarnock FC/SCO; Miami, Fla.), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake; Las Cruces, N.M.), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; Bear, Del.), Donovan Pines (D.C. United; Clarksville, Md.), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; Media, Pa.)

MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union; Medford, N.J.), Edwin Cerrillo (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United FC; Federal Way, Wash.), Alex Mendez (Ajax/NED; Los Angeles, Calif.), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; Lemont, Ill.), Brandon Servania (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas)

FORWARDS: Omir Fernandez (New York Red Bulls; Bronx, N.Y.), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah), Sebastian Soto (Hannover 96/GER; Carlsbad, Calif.), Mason Toye (Minnesota United FC; South Orange, N.J.), Haji Wright (VVV-Venlo/NED; Los Angeles, Calif.)

Comments

  1. USSF had entire Summer to keep this kids with Euro Clubs, yet did not program anything.

    Ledesma and Konrad should part of this group.

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    • Konrad is with U20s, Ledezma probably not released might be training with PSV top squad over the break since he’s been starting for PSV II.

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  2. A good squad that could be much better. Will any of our wunderkinds participate in the qualifying? If we’re serious about qualifying, one or two of our top midfielders should participate.

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    • Pretty doubtful any of the guys playing first team football will be available with tournament dates falling outside the international window. Ebobisse and Araujo (I know not MFs) should be released in March. Ledezma and Llanez might be available. I wonder if Ledezma has an injury since Gloster was released but not Richie. Reyna would be a possibility, if he hasn’t broken through at Dortmund. If your thinking McKennie and Adams no chance.

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    • When I said our top midfielders should participate if we are serious, I meant during the qualifying tournament for CONCACAF, not for the camp next month.

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      • Maybe I’m confused by wunderkinds, clubs do not have to release players for U23 qualifying. There is no way Adams, McKennie, Pulisic will be available. MLS teams likely will because it will be early in the season so Araujo or other young MLSer likely would. I think Oomykal will be in Europe by then. It’s a good sign so many like Gloster and Mendez were for this camp because hopefully it means clubs will release then too. If a guy like Llanez with 6 goals in 4 games gets moved to Wolfsburg’s first team by March he probably won’t be available.

      • Johnny, my bad. Didn’t research to find out if the tournament was during an international window. Considering how many U-23 players are playing prominent roles in many countries, it doesn’t seem right that a U-23 team is dependent on who a club team will release.

    • The tournament starts a day or two before and ends a day after. We just have to make the final so we could make some arrangements to send guys back after the semis. Olympics are so hard to qualify for with only top 2 making it, no 3rd place playoff this time. The way we’ve blasted through Concacaf youth tournaments the last two cycles this shouldn’t be a problem even without some guys but one bad day and it can be all over.

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  3. Wonder why no goalkeepers in Europe were called in. That kid that is American that plays for Everton U18 and is a starter sjpuld be with this group. Glad Soto not going to Chile he is loyal royal ayyyy

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    • I believe he’s playing for Denmark at this time but since he has not played in any official tournaments he does not have to file a switch and could return to playing for the US.

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      • He is eligable for Denmark and Brazil but Icant find anything about him being called up for the Denmark squad.

      • I just saw something on Reddit that he had said he was joining Denmark U19, of course take the source for what it’s worth.

    • Sorry wasn’t reddit it was a big soccer.com message board the comment was not sourced but transfermkt list him as being with Denmark U19. The poster said the ease of playing in Europe where he is based with Everton was a factor. I don’t know if their U19s have a camp now so that might be why you can’t find any call up info.

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  4. Roster is about average but on one note it’s good to see Ferreira accepting call ups with the U.S. Hoping to see him involved with the senior team eventually

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