United States under-20 national team coach Tab Ramos has called in 20 players for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, headlined by Fulham midfielder Emerson Hyndman and Utrecht forward Rubio Rubin.
"I think the challenge was how many players we had to consider per position because the positions were very competitive," Ramos said on U.S. Soccer's official site. "And although there are certainly standouts in positions, when it comes to rounding out the roster, it’s very difficult selecting the last four to five players because there’s literally probably 10-12 players considered for those final spots.”
Eight players on the roster currently play in Europe, with seven others from Major League Soccer, including LA Galaxy forward Bradford Jamieson IV who scored a memorable first league goal for the club against the New York Red Bulls in April.
The roster also includes hugely talented Tottenham youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers, who, at 17 years and four months, happens to be the youngest member of the squad.
Ramos has until May 15 to fill out his final 21-man roster, and Goal's Ives Galarcep is reporting that it could go to Arsenal youngster Gedion Zelalem or Zach Pfeffer of the Philadelphia Union.
Tab Ramos named 20 players, leaving one spot for potential addition of Gedion Zelalem. Waiting on FIFA to clear him. Rosters due in a week
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 7, 2015
I'm hearing Zach Pfeffer will fill the final U-20 World Cup roster spot if Gedion Zelalem isn't cleared by FIFA. Flores & Gall out for now.
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 7, 2015
The USA drew New Zealand, Ukraine and Myanmar in Group A.
Full roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia; Todd, N.C.), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Zack Steffen (Freiburg; Downingtown, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (6): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur; Westcliff on Sea, England), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (Unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Desevio Payne (FC Groningen; Greenwood, S.C.), John Requejo (Club Tijuana; Carpinteria, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim; Lancaster, Pa.), Marco Delgado (Toronto FC; Glendora, Calif.), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham; Dallas, Texas), Joel Soñora (Boca Juniors; Buenos Aires, Argentina)
FORWARDS (5): Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake; Rochester, N.Y.), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht; Beaverton, Ore.), Maki Tall (Red Star; Washington, D.C.), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes; Loomis, Calif.)