Head coach Mikey Varas has named a 21-player roster that will represent the United States at the Under-20 World Cup, which kicks off later this month in Argentina.
The squad has been weakened after several clubs blocked their players from competing in the tournament, which does not fall on the FIFA calendar and therefore does not require teams to let their players go.
But Varas has still been able to name a strong roster, with other clubs allowing some key players to represent the U.S. at the tournament.
In a major blow, Eintracht Frankfurt did not release Paxten Aaronson, the top scorer and player of the tournament in last summer’s CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Chicago Fire head coach Ezra Hendrickson said last week the club wouldn’t release midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and goalkeeper Chris Brady — which remained true even after Hendrickson was sacked this week.
The LA Galaxy have also prevented defender Jalen Neal from joining the squad, with the 19-year-old becoming a starter this season.
Interestingly, Croatian club Hajduk Split said last week it wouldn’t be releasing midfielder Rokas Pukštas, but the 18-year-old is on the roster.
Kevin Paredes, who has become a regular with Wolfsburg this season, was also on the squad in a boost for the U.S., as was Atlanta United’s rising left back Caleb Wiley.
Varas said on a conference call that Paredes and Pukštas would be joining the team after the group stage, should the U.S. advance.
The U.S. kicks off Group B play on May 20 against Ecuador then faces Fiji on May 23 and Slovakia on May 26 to close out the group.
The top two finishers from each of the six groups, as well as the four best third-place teams will advance to the round of 16.
USMNT U-20 World Cup roster (caps/goals)
GOALKEEPERS: Alexander Borto (Fulham/ENG; South Plainfield, N.J.; 2/0), Antonio Carrera (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas; 4/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; Addison, Ill.; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Justin Che (Hoffenheim/GER; Dallas, Texas; 6/0), Brandan Craig (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 10/1), Mauricio Cuevas (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 13/1), Marcus Ferkranus (LA Galaxy; Santa Clarita, Calif.; 11/0), Jonathan Gomez (Real Sociedad/ESP; Keller, Texas; 6/0), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta, Ga.; 5/0), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City FC; Louisville, Ky.; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Daniel Edelman (New York Red Bulls; Warren, N.J.; 10/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; Sunnyvale, Calif.; 16/4), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; Middle Village, N.Y.; 16/2), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split/CRO; Stillwater, Okla.; 12/1), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes; Saratoga, Calif.; 5/3), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC; Anchorage, Alaska; 4/0), Owen Wolff (Austin FC; Austin, Texas; 3/1)
FORWARDS (4): Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; Ceres, Calif.; 7/2), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; South Riding, Va.; 6/2), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.; 15/7), Darren Yapi (Colorado Rapids; Denver, Colo.; 3/0)
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