“The coaches gave us the confidence… We didn’t need to feel any pressure.”
The U.S. under-20 men’s national team could have been forgiven for carrying a burden from past troubles into the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, but according to D.C. United attacker Jackson Hopkins, the group approached the tournament—which serves as qualifying for both the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics—with confidence.
Speaking exclusively with Pro Soccer Wire a day after the U.S. clinched their first Olympic berth since 2008 with a 3-0 win over Honduras, Hopkins said that rather than look at qualification from a position of feeling pressured, the team was hyped for the opportunity.
“I think everyone is just more excited to play in an environment like that, than they are nervous or anything,” said Hopkins, who spent his 18th birthday on the field for the final 19 minutes as the U.S. held Honduras off to qualify for Paris 2024. “No one really felt any real pressure, they’re just excited, and had confidence. The coaches gave us the confidence, and all the preparation that we needed to know that we’d do well. We didn’t need to feel any pressure.”
For Hopkins, it’s been a whirlwind. Barely 11 months ago, he was making his pro debut for D.C.’s USL Championship affiliate Loudoun United as a 17-year-old academy player. Since then, the Fredericksburg, Va. native was called in for D.C.’s preseason camp (where he scored against Inter Miami), culminating in an MLS Homegrown contract signed in late April and five league appearances.
And now to all of that, you can add qualifying for two major youth international tournaments, breaking a run of heartbreak for U.S. Soccer on the men’s YNT side of the program.
“It’s been really quick. Last, like a year ago, I was in Dallas with the u-17s, so it’s definitely been quick,” said Hopkins with a smile. “I played my first game for Loudoun end of July (2021). So I don’t know, I’m just enjoying it, and every opportunity I get, I feel like I’ve done well. So that’s just what I’m trying to do is take every opportunity I get.”
The experience has been something a bit different for Hopkins and the entire U-20 team. CONCACAF produces situations that MLS, USL, and academy play don’t replicate. Fans tossed drinks onto the field during the second half of Friday’s win against Honduras, while the quarterfinal win over Costa Rica that clinched a World Cup spot ended with a scuffle that saw CONCACAF doling out suspensions.
Hopkins said he sees the environment as something to carry forward in his career.
“It was a crazy atmosphere, all the whistling, and people throwing bottles on the field,” said Hopkins. “I think it’s good to play in an environment like that at this age, just to get the experience early, and know what it’s like to play in a hostile environment like that.”
Hopkins described the entire tournament as “intense,” noting that the team has largely spent its down time resting and relaxing during an event that packed four knockout rounds into nine days. He also credited the preparation head coach Mikey Varas and his coaching staff provided for seeing the team through the challenge.
“Pre-camp I think definitely helped us. You got everyone understanding the style, the press and everything that Mikey (Varas) wants to play. He made it clear for everyone,” explained Hopkins. “The video (sessions) and everything sets us up perfectly to know exactly where the space is, how to win the game, so it helped.”
The U.S. squad has had to bond quickly, but according to Hopkins, it hasn’t been very difficult. “I think it’s been pretty easy for me actually, just because I’m playing against at least half the team since I was 13-14,” he said, alluding to the fact that the Philadelphia Union have four players on Varas’ roster, and two more come from the New York Red Bulls. “I think the coaches have also done a good job of pointing out everyone’s strengths and stuff, so we all know each other pretty well.”
One theme that Hopkins and the U-20s are looking to take with them into Sunday’s final against the Dominican Republic is that this is a special moment for all of them.
“It’s not an environment everyone gets to play in,” said Hopkins. “I think everyone knows, it might not happen again for them, an environment like that.”
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