Disclaimer off the jump! The guesswork of who will be released for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup… it’s like a riddle inside a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
On one hand, it’s a sign of progress for youth development in this country that U.S. Soccer has so many hard decisions to make (or obstacles to juggle). Players are well-established in first-team squads and borrowing their services won’t be easy. On the other hand, some may view clubs taking the “we’re under no obligation” path as short-sided. To each their own priorities.
That’s never stopped us from forecasting, though, has it?
When the United States descend on Argentina, they’ll be both the champions of Concacaf and trying to build off three straight quarterfinal appearances at the U-20 World Cup. They’re also favored to advance from Group B, where they’ll face Ecuador (May 20), Fiji (May 23) and Slovakia (May 26).
Let’s identify a potential 21-man roster that head coach Mikey Varas might summon later this month. All but three players are MLS homegrown products and/or came through the league’s academies.
- Alexander Borto - Fulham
- Antonio Carrera - FC Dallas
- Gaga Slonina - Chelsea
Gaga Slonina, after a $15 million transfer ($10 million base) from Chicago to Chelsea over the winter, is yet to break into the Premier League squad’s first team. That increases his chances of being released and being the US’s No. 1 at the U-20 World Cup, an elite shot-stopper who could develop into the senior squad’s goalkeeper of the future.
Antonio Carrera is mainly featuring for North Texas SC, the MLS NEXT Pro side in the FC Dallas organization. There should be no issue securing Carrera’s release, likely as a capable backup.
But we’re burying the lede a little here: Chicago head coach Ezra Hendrickson said Wednesday they’re not releasing either goalkeeper Chris Brady or attacking midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for the U-20 World Cup. The Fire deem them both vital first-team players, so they’re sticking around MLS. In Brady’s case, that might be because he’d likely back up Slonina.
It all leaves Fulham prospect Alexander Borto as the most likely third goalkeeper. And, in reality, we’re probably talking about the last roster spot.
Bubble: Gavin Beavers (Real Salt Lake), Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Brandan Craig - Philadelphia Union
- Mauricio Cuevas - LA Galaxy
- Jonathan Gómez - Real Sociedad
- Michael Halliday - Orlando City SC
- Jalen Neal - LA Galaxy
- Caleb Wiley - Atlanta United
- Josh Wynder - Louisville City SC
If he’s released, Jalen Neal could be in for a huge tournament alongside Josh Wynder, a USL Championship standout who’s reportedly joining Portuguese side Benfica this summer. They’re both promising center backs with USMNT potential, maybe as soon as the 2026 World Cup, and Neal has grown in confidence with each passing game in the Galaxy’s backline.
The other natural center back listed above, Philadelphia’s Brandan Craig, is basically a shoo-in to make the squad. Fourth on the Union’s depth chart, he was a key starter on the USA squad that captured a third straight Concacaf U-20 Championship title last July.
Left backs Jonathan Gómez and Caleb Wiley are both easy picks, though keep an eye on if the latter gets released. Wiley, 18, made his USMNT debut in last month’s friendly vs. Mexico and is a breakout player for Atlanta United. He’s also versatile, playing on the wing or at fullback.
Mauricio Cuevas is back at the LA Galaxy after a stint in Belgium with Club Brugge’s second team, and Michael Halliday continues to impress with Orlando City. Both players are capable starters at right back.
From the group below, Justin Che might be the biggest wild card. The FC Dallas defender, on loan at German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, has fought injuries as of late. Che’s back playing some, though.
Bubble: Justin Che (Hoffenheim), Marcus Ferkranus (LA Galaxy), Kobi Henry (Reims), Thomas Williams (Orlando City SC)
- Caden Clark - RB Leipzig
- Daniel Edelman - New York Red Bulls
- Jack McGlynn - Philadelphia Union
- Obed Vargas - Seattle Sounders FC
- Owen Wolff - Austin FC
For the record: I think Noel Buck and Benjamin Cremaschi are both talented enough to help the USA U-20s later this month. But, with their lack of experience under Varas, I have the New England and Miami homegrowns just on the outside looking in. Cremaschi has also been in camp with Argentina’s U-20s, so he might not ultimately represent the Yanks.
EDITOR'S NOTE: With Hajduk Split announcing Thursday that Rokas Pukstas won't be released, Caden Clark got swapped into the midfield group. Clark's lack of playing time since returning to the German Bundesliga is a concern, but the talent is there.
Another question mark surrounds Rokas Pukstas, who’s developed into a starter at Hajduk Split, the same club LAFC winger Stipe Biuk arrived in MLS from this winter. They’re currently second in the Croatian top flight and play a Croatian Cup final game on May 24, hence the scheduling headaches Varas is likely juggling.
But for a couple of near-locks: Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn and Austin’s Owen Wolff. McGlynn’s name had a question mark before the Union got eliminated in the Concacaf Champions League semifinals (the final is May 31 and July 4) – and don’t forget his team’s a big proponent of youth development. Wolff has been among Austin’s best players in their slow start, all after drawing links to Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven over the winter.
Daniel Edelman (New York) and Obed Vargas (Seattle) could be the deeper-lying midfielders, especially since their MLS clubs have enough depth to withstand a potential absence. Edelman is a no-nonsense player, while Vargas has returned from a back injury after helping the Sounders win their historic CCL title last May. Vargas, who’s also eligible for Mexico, is only 17.
Bubble: Alejandro Alvarado (Vizela), Noel Buck (New England Revolution), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Danny Leyva (Colorado Rapids), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Paxten Aaronson - Eintracht Frankfurt
- Cade Cowell - San Jose Earthquakes
- Diego Luna - Real Salt Lake
- Kevin Paredes - Wolfsburg
- Quinn Sullivan - Philadelphia Union
- Darren Yapi - Colorado Rapids
If Chicago had released him, Brian Gutiérrez would’ve been a big player for the U-20s down in Argentina. But he’s arguably the Fire’s best No. 10 right now, objectively playing better than Swiss star and club-record signing Xherdan Shaqiri.
That could open the door for a natural No. 9 to get called up, perhaps Colorado’s Darren Yapi. He didn’t join the U-20s until late this cycle, but is enjoying something resembling a breakout season for the Rapids. It’s a space worth monitoring.
Big picture, the US U-20s have leaned upon hybrid attackers during this World Cup cycle. Former Union teammates Paxten Aaronson and Quinn Sullivan fit the bill and appear destined for big roles down in Argentina. Aaronson is in his first half-season in the German Bundesliga, earning some first-team minutes with Frankfurt.
Pending their releases, Kevin Paredes and Cade Cowell could be the Yanks’ two best players in Argentina. Paredes, who left D.C. United in January 2022 on a club-record $7.35 million deal, is one of Wolfsburg’s key substitutes in the Bundesliga. Cowell is a first-choice starter at San Jose, but the burgeoning USMNT attacker seems release-able (if that’s a word).
My last forward is Diego Luna, who's found minutes hard to come by at RSL this year. Luna’s been an on-field leader for the U-20s, though, and should play an important role.
Bubble: Jackson Hopkins (D.C. United), Tyler Wolff (Atlanta United)
