And right after that, the USSF released the first U20 roster of the 2021 cycle. Tab Ramos is still at the helm, as his contract runs through the next U20 World Cup. It remains to be seen if he'll see out that contract, as it seems increasingly clear that the new brass doesn't see much of a role for him going forward. I do hope Ramos lands on his feet; I was a merciless critic of him for a long time, and while I still don't think he's some great manager, I do think he's improved tactically. Most of all, his man management skills seem strong, at least on the youth level: cycle after cycle, these kids love playing for him, and he gets them to form a strong bond with each other and to play hard. Some of this comes down to talent in the pool, but reaching the U20 QF for three straight tournaments is also a good look. Also, from what I understand, the communication problems with dual nationals aren't originating on his end.
Anyway, I don't know if I've come to like Tab straight-up, or if he just sucks less than many other USSF personnel, or if I've been Stockholm Syndrome'd by following this stuff for too long...but I'm sending positive vibes now.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/08/usa-kicks-off-new-u20-mnt-cycle-with-two-matches-in-slovenia
Two things to note about this camp:
- It's all players born in 2001. The '02s won't join the pool until after the U17 World Cup this fall.
- The camp is in Slovenia, so the roster is more of a dive into Euro-based players.
GK
David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)
Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis University)
DF
Kwabena Boateng (UC Irvine)
Kevin Bonilla (FC Dallas U-19)
George Campbell (Atlanta United)
Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union U-19)
Ian Hoffmann (Karlsruhe U-19)
Stuart Ritchie (Hannover 96 U-19)
Leonardo Sepulveda (Salamanca B)
Travian Sousa (Hamburg U-19)
MF
Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids)
Justin Haak (NYCFC)
Marcelo Palomino (unattached)
Matteo Ritaccio (Liverpool U-18)
Thomas Roberts (FC Dallas)
Tanner Tessmann (FC Dallas U-19)
Indiana Vassilev (Aston Villa U-23)
FW
Konrad de la Fuente (Barcelona U-19)
Johan Gomez (unattached)
Cameron Harper (Celtic U-20)
Jalen Hawkins (Ingolstadt U-19)
Charlie Kelman (Southend United)
I've read that Uly Llanez had to withdraw due to injury. I've also read that Matko Miljevic, an attacking mid who has debuted for Argentinos Juniors and played with Argentine YNTs in the past, was invited and wanted to come, but was not released. I also heard through the grapevine that Tab came close to bringing in Arsenal's Folarin Balogun, but there was a late change of heart.
Anyway: Ochoa returns from the last U20 WC, where he looked like our best keeper, so he'll definitely be the front-runner going into the cycle.
Bonilla and Harriel aren't on pro deals, but both have played extensively for MLS reserve teams in the USL. They are options at RB, but unless he's injured or moved up into older age brackets, Julian Araujo is likely to be the #1 RB all cycle. Araujo was not released for this camp.
CB is shaping up to be a big problem spot this cycle, but maybe someone will emerge. Campbell recently signed a pro deal, and I think Sepulveda is a CB, too. I'm guessing Boateng is a CB based on his height, but I've never heard of him before. Please be awesome.
Ritchie and Sousa are LB options. I'd speculate that the '02 LBs like Bello and Hernandez-Foster will turn out to be more interesting, but who knows.
I don't have any strong takes on the CMs. Bassett has played a lot for how young he is, but it's partially because the Rapids are bad and we don't know if he'll progress past his current level. The FCD duo are both talented, but inconsistent, so we'll see if they can consistently influence games.
Forwards: Kelman is playing first team minutes in League One. It looks like Gomez officially left the FC Dallas academy and may be signing abroad. That pretty much makes sense, with Ferreira and Pepi already under contract there. I've heard good things about Harper, who is a winger, though I've never seen him play. Konrad was a big disappointment to me at the U20 WC. He struck me as a guy who hit physical maturity quickly and I fear that his ceiling is limited.