USMNT Player Pool for the 2022 Cycle

USMNT Top 50 June 2018 Edition

GOALKEEPERS:

1. ↑ Zack Steffen, 1995(27), Columbus Crew

2. ↗ Alex Bono, 1994(28), Toronto FC

3. ↗ Jesse Gonzalez, 1995(27), FC Dallas

4. ↘ Bill Hamid, 1990(31), FC Midtjylland

5. ↓ Ethan Horvath, 1995(26), Club Brugge

Fringe:

· ↑ Tim Melia, 1986(36), Sporting Kansas City

· ↑ Tyler Miller, 1993(30), Los Angeles FC

· ↑ Sean Johnson, 1989(33), New York City FC

· ↑ Matt Turner, 1994(27), New England Revolution

· ↗ Brad Guzan, 1984(37), Atlanta United

· → Joe Bendik, 1989(33) Orlando City

· ↓ Cody Cropper, 1993(29) New England Revolution

Prospects:

· → Jonathan Klinsmann, 1997*(25) Hertha Berlin

· → JT Marcinkowski, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes

· → Brady Scott, 1999*(22) FC Koln

· → David Ochoa, 2001*(21) Real Salt Lake

· → CJ Dos Santos, 2000*(21) Benfica

· → Justin Vom Steeg, 1997*(25) LA Galaxy

· → Eric Lopez, 1999*23) LA Galaxy

· → Justin Garces, 2000*(21), Atlanta United


RIGHT BACKS:

1. ↑ DeAndre Yedlin, 1993(28), Newcastle United

2. → Shaquell Moore, 1996(25), Levante

3. → Tim Chandler, 1990(32) Eintracht Frankfurt

4. ↑ Reggie Cannon, 1998*(23), FC Dallas

Fringe:

· ↗ Keegan Rosenberry, 1993(28) Philadelphia Union

· ↗ Andrew Wenger, 1990(31) Houston Dynamo

· → Tristan Blackmon, 1996(25) Los Angeles FC

· → Jakob Nerwinski, 1994(27) Vancouver Whitecaps

· ↗ Andrew Farrell, 1992(30) New England Revolution

· → Marlon Hairston, 1994(28) Colorado Rapids

· ↘ Matt Polster, 1993(28) Chicago Fire

Prospects:

· ↑ Sergino Dest, 2000*(21) Ajax Amsterdam

· ↑ Jaylin Lindsey, 2000*(22) Sporting Kansas City

· ↑ Matthew Olosunde, 1998*(24), Manchester United

· ↗ Marlon Fossey, 1998*(23), Fulham

· → Kyle Duncan, 1997*(24) New York Red Bulls (*Injured*)

· → Manny Perez, 1999*(23) unattached


CENTER BACKS:

1. ↘ John Brooks, 1993(29), Wolfsburg

2. ↑ Matt Miazga, 1995(26), Chelsea

3. ↑ Cameron Carter-Vickers, 1997*(24), Tottenham Hotspur

4. ↑ Tim Parker, 1993(29), New York Red Bulls

5. ↑ Eric Palmer-Brown, 1997*(25), Manchester City > KV Kortrijk

6. ↗ Walker Zimmermann, 1993(29), Los Angeles FC

7. → Justen Glad, 1997*(25), Real Salt Lake

8. ↗ Aaron Long, 1992(29), New York Red Bulls

9. ↗ Ike Opara, 1989(33) Sporting Kansas City

Fringe:

· → Eriq Zavaleta, 1992(29), Toronto FC

· → Kortne Ford, 1996(26), Colorado Rapids (*Injured*)

· → Steve Birnbaum, 1991(31), DC United

· → Matt Hedges, 1990(32), FC Dallas

Prospects:

· ↑ Auston Trusty, 1998*(23), Philadelphia Union

· ↑ Mark McKenzie, 1999*(23) Philadelphia Union

· ↗ Miles Robinson, 1997*(25), Atlanta United

· → Tommy Redding, 1997*(25), New York Red Bulls

· → Sam Rogers, 1999*(23) Seattle Sounders

· → James Sands, 2000*(21) New York City FC


LEFT BACKS:

1. ↑ Antonee Robinson, 1997*(24) Everton

2. ↗ Eric Lichaj, 1988(33) Nottingham Forest

3. ↗ Danilo Acosta, 1997*(24) Real Salt Lake

4. ↗ Jorge Villafana, 1989(32) Santos Laguna

5. ↗ Greg Garza, 1991(30), Atlanta United (*Injured*)

Fringe:

· ↘ Brandon Vincent, 1994(28), Chicago Fire

· ↗ Nick Lima, 1994(27), San Jose Earthquakes

· → Justin Morrow, 1987(34), Toronto FC

· → Ryan Hollingshead, 1991(31), FC Dallas

· → Eric Miller, 1993(29), Minnesota United

· → Ben Sweat, 1991(30), New York City FC

· ↘ Daniel Lovitz, 1991(30), Montreal Impact

· ↓ Desevio Payne, 1995(26), Excelsior

Prospects:

· ↗ Matthew Real, 1999*(22), Philadelphia Union

· → Marco Farfan, 1998*(23), Portland Timbers

· → Chris Gloster, 2000*(21), New York Red Bulls

· → George Bello, 2002*(20), Atlanta United

· → Sam Vines, 1999*(23), Colorado Rapids


CENTER MIDFIELDERS:

1. ↑ Weston McKennie, 1998*(23) Schalke

2. ↑ Tyler Adams, 1999*(23) New York Red Bulls

3. ↑ Darlington Nagbe, 1990(31) Atlanta United

4. ↗ Cristian Roldan, 1995(26) Seattle Sounders

5. ↗ Keaton Parks, 1997*(24) Benfica

6. → Wil Trapp, 1993(29) Columbus Crew

7. ↘ Kyle Scott, 1997*(24) Chelsea

8. → Kellyn Acosta, 1995(25) FC Dallas

8t. → Marky Delgado, 1995(27) Toronto FC

8t. → Danny Williams, 1989(33) Huddersfield Town (*Injured*)

Fringe:

· ↑ Alfredo Morales, 1990(32) Fortuna Dusseldorf

· ↗ Jacori Hayes, 1995(26) FC Dallas

· → Perry Kitchen, 1992(30) LA Galaxy

· → Caleb Stanko, 1993(28) Freiburg

· → Sean Davis, 1993(29) New York Red Bulls

· → Scott Caldwell, 1991(31) New England Revolution

· → Russell Canouse, 1995(26) DC United

· ↘ Emerson Hyndman, 1996(26) Bournemouth

· ↓ Ian Harkes, 1995(27) DC United

Prospects:

· ↑ Chris Durkin, 2000*(22) DC United

· ↗ Juan Torres, 1999*(22) Lokeren

· ↗ Wan Kuzain, 1998*(23) Sporting Kansas City

· → Cameron Lindley, 1997*(24) Orlando City

· → Chris Goslin, 2000*(22) Atlanta United

· → Jackson Yeuill, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes

· → Derrick Jones, 1997*(25) Philadelphia Union

· → Gilbert Fuentes, 2002*(20) San Jose Earthquakes

· → Eric Calvillo, 1998*(24) San Jose Earthquakes

· → Alexis Mendez, 2000*(21) LA Galaxy

· → Djordje Mihailovic, 1998*(23) Chicago Fire (*injured*)

· ↓ Gedion Zelalem, 1997*(25) Arsenal (*injured*)


WIDE/ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:

1. ↑ Christian Pulisic, 1998*(23) Borussia Dortmund

2. ↑ Timothy Weah, 2000*(22), Paris SG

3. ↗ Paul Arriola, 1995(27) DC United

4. ↗ Kenny Saief, 1993(28) Anderlecht

5. → Joe Corona, 1990(31) Club America

6. → Jonathan Amon, 1999*(23) FC Nordsjaelland

7. ↘ Lynden Gooch, 1995(26) Sunderland

8. ↗ Chris Mueller, 1996(25) Orlando City

9. ↗ Rubio Rubin, 1996(26) Club Tijuana

Fringe:

· ↘ Sebastian Lletget, 1992(29), LA Galaxy

· → Kelyn Rowe, 1991(30) New England Revolution

· ↗ Alex Muyl, 1995(26) New York Red Bulls

· ↗ Fafa Picault, 1991(31), Philadelphia Union

· →Luis Argudo, 1995(26), Columbus Crew

· →Marcus Epps, 1995(27), Philadelphia Union

· →Miguel Ibarra, 1990(32), Minnesota United

· → Joel Sonora, 1996(25), CA Talleres

· → Ethan Finlay, 1990(31) Minnesota United (*Injured*)

· → Kekuta Manneh, 1994(27) Pachuca

· → Memo Rodriguez, 1995(26) Houston Dynamo

· ↘ Harry Shipp, 1991(30), Seattle Sounders

· ↓ Tommy Thompson, 1995(26) San Jose Earthquakes

Prospects:

· ↑ Timothy Tillman, 1999*(23) Bayern Munich

· ↑ Efrain Alvarez, 2002*(19), LA Galaxy (*Mexico dual-national*)

· ↑ Brooks Lennon, 1997*(24), Real Salt Lake

· ↗ Andrew Carleton, 2000*(21) Atlanta United

· ↗ Luca De la Torre, 1998*(24) Fulham

· ↗ Anthony Fontana, 1999*(22) Philadelphia Union

· ↗ Ben Mines, 2000*(22) New York Red Bulls

· ↗ Sebastian Saucedo, 1997*(25) Real Salt Lake

· ↗ Richard Ledezma, 2000*(21) Real Salt Lake

· ↗ Taylor Booth, 2001*(21) Bayern Munich

· → Handwalla Bwana, 1999*(22) Seattle Sounders (*Kenya dual-national*)

· → Jonathan Lewis, 1997*(24) New York City FC

· ↘ Eryk Williamson, 1997*(24) Portland Timbers

· ↘ Lagos Kunga, 1998*(23) Atlanta United

· ↘ Jose Carranza, 1999*(23) Atlanta United

· → Nick Taitague, 1999*(23), Schalke

· ↓ Mukwalle Akale, 1997*(25) Villarreal


FORWARDS:

1. ↗ Josh Sargent, 2000*(22), Werder Bremen

2. → Dom Dwyer, 1990(31), Orlando City

3. ↗ Julian Green, 1995(26) Stuttgart

4. ↘ Bobby Wood, 1992(29), Hamburg

5. ↗ Andrija Novakovich, 1996(25) Reading FC

6. ↑ Gyasi Zardes, 1991(30), Columbus Crew

7. ↗ Jordan Siebatcheu, 1992(26) Reims (*France Dual National*)

8. ↘ Aron Johannsson, 1990(31) Werder Bremen

9. → CJ Sapong, 1988(33), Philadelphia Union

9t. ↓ Haji Wright, 1998*(24), Schalke

9t. → Christian Ramirez, 1991(31), Minnesota United

9t. ↗ Romain Gall, 1995(27), Sundsvall

9t. ↘ Jozy Altidore, 1989(32), Toronto FC (*Injured*)

Fringe:

· ↗ Teal Bunbury, 1990(32) New England Revolution

· → Terrence Boyd, 1991(31) Darmstadt

· → Juan Agudelo, 1992(29), New England Revolution

· ↘ Patrick Mullins, 1992(30), DC United

· ↘ Niki Jackson, 1995(26) Colorado Rapids

· ↘ Will Bruin, 1989(32), Seattle Sounders

· ↘ Jack McBean, 1994(27) Colorado Rapids

· ↓ Bradford Jamieson, 1996(25), LA Galaxy

· ↓ Jerome Kiesewetter, 1993(29) unattached

· ↓ Jordan Morris, 1994(26), Seattle Sounders (*Injured*)

· ↓ Andrew Wooten, 1989(32) Sandhausen

Prospects:

· ↑ Emmanuel Sabbi, 1997*(24) Hobro IK

· ↗ Brandon Vasquez, 1998*(24) Atlanta United

· ↗ Gianluca Busio, 2002*(20), Sporting Kansas City

· → Joshua Perez, 1998*(24) Fiorentina

· → Zyen Jones, 2000*(21) Schalke

· → Nebiyou Perry, 1999*(22) FC Koln

· → Ulysses Lanez, 2001*(21) LA Galaxy

· → Shaft Brewer, 1999*(22) Los Angeles FC

· → Josh Pynadath, 2002*(20) Ajax Amsterdam

· → Paxton Pomykal, 1999*(22), FC Dallas

· → Jeremy Ebobisse, 1997*(25), Portland Timbers

· → Mason Toye, 1998*(23) Minnesota United

· → Konrad De La Fuente, 2001*(20), FC Barcelona

· → Ayo Akinola, 2000*(22), Toronto FC

· → McKenzie Gaines, 1998*(24) Darmstadt

· → Isaiah Young, 1998*(24) Werder Bremen

· → Jesus Ferreira, 2000*(21), FC Dallas

 

I think it's nuts to think our potential back lines club teams are Everton - Chelsea - Tottenham - Newcastle even if they may never play or play regularly for the team like Miazga or CCV.

 

Owen Otasowie should be added to CM. He is the only 2001-or-later American of any position on a professional contract with a club from a Top-3 league, and just one of three '00s-later along with Weah and Sargent.

Looking through Wolverhampton's organizational depth chart, he's currently roughly 6th among central midfielders, which is not bad at all for someone who just turned 17. He could move up if Wolves end up selling Ruben Neves or Morgan Gibbs-White. Otasowie is built like Pogba (roughly 6'3", 185 lb), has been praised by Wolves coaches for having among the best technical ability of Wolves U23 (was age 16 at the time of the comment), and is extremely versatile with ability to play the 6, 8, 10, and even as a ball-playing CB, so he brings an interesting package to the table that not many have. He'd likely be good enough for England YNTs were they not so utterly stacked. To me, Otasowie is up there with Booth, de la Fuente, and Llanez as '01s who have a chance of being in the senior team by 2022.

To forward, '00 Sebastian Soto and '02 Gio Reyna should be added, if we're already including the likes of Zyen Jones or Ayo Akinola. Soto has been lighting it up in the Development Academy, with 42 goals in 25 matches, and won the Golden Boot at the Slovakia Cup for the US U19s. Reyna is a potentially massive talent who is already over 6 feet, can play both CF and wing, has always been one of the best YNTers for his age group, and probably/hopefully is headed to Europe soon. I would say either of them has a better shot of being in the USMNT by 2022 than someone like Jones or Akinola.

One more thing: the 2022 World Cup is going to start in late November, so some of the ages have to be bumped up; for example, Altidore's going to be 33.

 

Eleven Bravo's list is very good. I only have minor quibbles.

Goalkeepers: This is pretty close to spot on, although I think Guzan is probably still much higher and could be the experienced #3 in 2022 if others don't far surpass him.

Right backs: Good list. Chandler is higher for now, but Moore or Cannon, or one of the top three prospects, will be there with Yedlin by 2022. I could also see one of them sliding over to left back as the backup. The fringe guys pretty much all should never see a roster.

Center backs: I think EPB is in the top three within a year. Parker is a better #4 right now, but CCV will probably supplant him by 2022. Glad is more athletic than either of them and could also work into the top 4. Zimmermann is solid depth when needed, but he's a step too slow to force his way onto the 2022 roster.

Left backs: Robinson is the clear front-runner for the long term. Lichaj and Villafana will probably have lost a step by then, so I don't see them making the roster. Garza is fringe at best; even at his peak, he's just way too slow against top notch competition. If no one steps up between Acosta, Lima, Vincent, and the prospects, then either a right back should slide over as backup or a midfielder (Adams? Saief?) should provide cover, maybe as wingers in a 3-back lineup.

Center midfielders: McKennie and Adams are the only givens currently. I think Parks will reach that level. After that, basically anyone from the top 10 plus Hyndman and Stanko could easily step up to make the roster, depending on form at a given time. The prospects all still have a lot to prove.

Wide/attacking midfielders: Pulisic is the only lock. Weah and Saief should be there, Weah for talent and Saief for creativity and versatility. Arriola and Corona should be phased out by 2022, as they've probably peaked and aren't good enough for more than roster depth on an MLS-only roster. Someone from between Amon, Gooch, Mueller, Lletget, and the prospects needs to step up and grab a roster spot. Tillman, Alvarez, Carleton, and Taitague currently seem to be the prospects with the highest ceilings.

Forwards: This is kind of a mess. Sargent is rightfully at the top despite having never seen the field on a professional club. I'm actually a big believer in him. Currently, Wood would be #2, but he's not in great form. Johannsson has a real shot to move back up to #2. I'd go with Novakovich from the remaining options, unless Siebatchieu flips. Dwyer is MLS-only roster depth, and I'm not fully back on the Green train yet. Altidore will likely remain in the picture, maybe as far as 2022. Other than Zardes, most all of those other ranked guys are fringe players, none of the fringe players have a shot (although Agudelo and Morris will probably pop up from time to time), and the prospects are all way too far away. Basically, we need to run a single forward lineup unless our options get far better.

 

Not having visited this type of list since early in the 2018 cycle, I find myself impressed with the youth of so many of the players and the quality of their clubs. With regard to those two factors, this list has never looked so good.

Granted, many of these players can and will amount to nothing, but the fact of the matter is that the USA prospect pool has--to my short memory--never looked like this. Surely it portends good things. As much hemming and hawing as we do about player development, it looks to me like there's been considerable improvement.

 

And they'll all sit on the bench as the next coach will probably continue calling up Bradley and Altidore just to troll the fanbase.

 

It's been a while since I updated this but thought I'd do it for the upcoming season

Big 4 UCL regular playing time

• Pulisic/BVB
• McKennie/Schalke

Big 4 non-UCL regular

• Chandler/Eintracht
• Brooks/Wolfsburg
• Yedlin/Newcastle
• Wood/Hannover
• Williams/Huddersfield
• FJ/Gladbach
• Morales/Fortuna Düsseldorf

On the Move but former Big 4 non-UCL regular

• AronJo/Bremen
• Cameron/Stoke

3rd Tier regular (about leagues 5-15)

• Robinson/Bolton
• EPB/NAC Breda
• Siebatcheau/Rennes
• Gooch/Sunderland
• Saeif/Gent
• Villafana/Santos (just had surgery)

On the Move but former 3rd Tier regular (about leagues 5-15)

• Miazga/Vitesse- moving
• CCV/Ipswich - moving

4th Tier regular (about leagues 16-25 ~ MLS)

• Amon/FC Nordsjælland
• Green/Greuther Fürth

Not sure how to slot these players relative to the list above.

Big 4 UCL Irregular/Reserve/Injured

Big 4 non-UCL Irregular/Reserve/Injured

• Shaq/Levante
• Stanko/Freiburg
• Sargent/Bremen
• Klinnsman/Hertha
• Hyndman/Bournemouth
• Akale/Villareal
• Zelalem/Arsenal

3rd Tier Irregular/Reserve/Injured (about leagues 5-15)

• Parks/Benefica
• Weah/PSG (given the stature of PSG, really not a 3rd tier except for league)

4th Tier Reserve/Injured (about leagues 16-25 ~ MLS)

• Wright/Sandhausen - maybe moving to Union Berlin
• Horvath/Brugge
• Hamid/Midtjylland

Green = potential to rise to higher level
Red = risk of falling to a lower level or getting benched
Italics = American born/raised outside of the US, whose USMNT success apparently indicates that the US' "developmental system fails to produce good players"

 

I forgot to add the caps and minutes for the France match before the WC...

Here is the link to the Google Sheet

So far Sarachan had 6 games and 1 camp since taking over.

1 Camps:
(1) Jan Camp

6 Rosters/Games:
(1) Portugal, (2) B & H, (3) Paraguay, (4) Bolivia, (5) Ireland & (6) France;

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules for this pool:
• Sarachan has/had to list a player on a roster or call them up to a camp/game
• All info (Minutes Played, Caps, Camps etc) is accumulated from when Sarachan took over

Use the tabs along the bottom of the spread sheet to view positions.

 

Love the list from Eleven Bravo!

Some of those names are not entirely familiar to me so I do need to do some homework.

 

Uhh, EFL League One. Definitely not a 5-15 league.

Thx,

Jay!

 

Here's a little history for all of you and I'm almost sure nobody knows this: the only team in South America to now have had two professional american born players is Argentinos Juniors, the team I'm a fan of:

For USA '94 midfielder Renato Corsi was about to play for the US and he tore his ligaments. He won the Copa Libertadores in 1985 with Argentinos Juniors.

Here's another player to add to your list and he already played for the US U17: Matko Miljevich. He signed recently his first professional contract with Argentinos Juniors and played an exhibition game this morning.

I have a blog, in spanish, and I interviewed both players. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to advertise the blog, so just in case I won't post it publicly.

 

I think it’s fine for you to post a link to your blog... I have seen other posters do it. Although they usually post a link in reference to a story or topic relevant to the thread.

You might want to check out the Yanks Abroad Academy threads. Matko has a thread going in there.

 

Thanks!

 

Hopefully by 2022 and during the cycle:

Sargent
Pulisic Adams McKennie Weah
Durkin
Robinson Brooks Miazga Yedlin
Steffen

Would be very lucky though if Sargent, Weah, and Durkin reaches expectations.

No Arriola and Rubin cause they play in sheet MLS. The World Cup proves once again European teams and Champions League players are cream of the crop. We need players who play in Europe. Saief, Holmes, and Gooch deserves priority over them.

Carleton is overrated hes short and small and doesn't play fast enough for the next level. His long balls barely has any power. You look at the Croatian team: Mandzukic 6'3 and Perisic 6'2 are huge, even Rakitic is 6'1, Ozil is 6 ft. McKennie is 6'1 and is built like a football player. Look at that header Perisic did against England in the semifinal, can Rubin or Arriola do that? No. Can Timmy Chandler add that physicality on the wing? Hell yeah.

Timmy Chandler recently stated his desire to play for country. He no doubt deserves a spot considering his great play and versatility in the Bundesliga.

What we need are midfielders who are 6 ft. or taller and 6es. You cannot start McKennie and Adams without a midfielder behind them. Roldan, Acosta, and Trapp are the options right now but that is not good enough. Roldan and Trapp are midgets though Trapp played well against France. Never a big fan of Adams as he lacks technical skill to play midfield. He needs to to be a Ji-Sung Park shutdown type player. Jonathan Gonzalez was by far our best prospect, way better than McKennie and Adams.
Parks was trash at the ICC so he will become irrelevant plus hes not a 6.
Hyndman should definitely be considered but hes more of an attacking midfielder.

No Altidore by 2022, so I think Green and Johannsson should complete the striker pool. I think Green still has lots of potential for the National team and Johannsson too considering how well he played last season in the Bundesliga, that's if he can stay healthy. Wood would probably be more realistic than Johannsson. Novakovich is tall so hes an option. Sebastian Soto is our best prospect after Sargent.

If there is a position we have a lot of its defenders. We have a lot of fullbacks to back Yedlin and Robinson in the next 4 years: Moore, Acosta, Lindsay, Cannon, and Bello. Vickers and Brown could start over Brooks and Miazga. Plus many more.

Goalkeeper is whatever Steffen is what we got for now.

For the midfield keep eyes on Gio Reyna and Alex Mendez and all those kids who trialed at Bayern Munich: Taylor Booth, Thomas Roberts, Christian Cappis. There is Will Vint at ManU academy who is 6'1 already! Also there is NYFC prospect James Sands.

Need to recruit:
Timothy Tillman
Owen Otasowie
Kyle Scott

Keep your eye on Ian Hoffman and Jamie Dunning as I believe they could become future players.

 

You had me until you said "Gonzalez was by far our best prospect, way better than McKennie and Adams".

 

LOL - one is going to play in UCL for a big 4 team, the other can’t get on the field in Mexico. C’mon.

 

What an awesome list @Eleven Bravo !

Looking forward to your update as soon as some of these kids start to perform (hopefully) overseas!

 

Hello people, one more player to add from USA that will be playing in Argentina, for Talleres de Córdoba in 1st Division: Joel Soñora.

 

Since we're including 2001s and 2002s in the discussion, and rightly so, then there's no question Folarin Balogun is now in the discussion at CF.

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has been called up to the United States U18 squad. Eligible to play for England but was born in New York.https://t.co/swcmAWlxKN

— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) August 20, 2018

He scored 25 goals at all levels (U18s, U23s, FA Youth Cup, Dallas Cup, others) with Arsenal last season, had a featured article on their website, and was capped by England U17s at the European Championship. An argument could be easily made he is already in the Top 5 of current USYNT #9s, probably closer to 1 if we consider Sargent and Weah as MNT players. He is not firmly in the US setup yet because he hasn't filed a one-time switch, but the US clearly has very good odds in the long run. England already has Kane, Rashford, Abraham, Solanke, Davis, Brereton, Sancho, Hudson-Odoi, Brewster, and more. That's obviously a major reason why Balogun accepted the US call, because he can get more playing time with the USYNT and possibly be fast-tracked. And although it's true being a star for Arsenal at academy level doesn't mean he'll do the same with their first team, he could still very well be a Benik Afobe-caliber striker (failed to make it with Arsenal but became a high-level Championship or serviceable-level EPL striker), more than good enough for the US.

 

recruit kyle scott? they can find another equipment manager they don't need kyle scott he's not some miracle equipment manager.

 

I think the US lost a player: Miljevic got called up to Argentina's U20...

 

Big 4 UCL regular playing time (& PSG)

• Pulisic/BVB
• McKennie/Schalke

Big 4 non-UCL regular

• Chandler/Eintracht
• Brooks/Wolfsburg
• Yedlin/Newcastle
• Wood/Hannover
• Williams/Huddersfield
• FJ/Gladbach
• Morales/Fortuna Düsseldorf

3rd Tier regular (about leagues 5-15)

• Miazga/Rennes
• Robinson/Bolton
• Siebatcheau/Rennes
• Gooch/Sunderland
• Cameron/QPR
• Saeif/Gent

4th Tier regular (about leagues 16-25 ~ MLS)

• Amon/FC Nordsjælland
• Green/Greuther Fürth

5th Tier (below MLS)

• Shaq/Levante
• Hyndman/Bournemouth

Not sure how to slot these players relative to the list above and MLS.

Big 4 UCL (& PSG) Irregular/Reserve/Injured

• Weah/PSG
• Wright/Schalke

Big 4 non-UCL Irregular/Reserve/Injured

• Stanko/Freiburg
• Sargent/Bremen
• Klinnsman/Hertha
• AronJo/Bremen
• Akale/Villareal
• Zelalem/Arsenal

3rd Tier Irregular/Reserve/Injured (about leagues 5-15)

• EPB/NAC Breda
• CCV/Swansea
• Parks/Benefica

4th Tier Reserve/Injured (about leagues 16-25 ~ MLS)

• Horvath/Brugge

Green = potential to rise to higher level
Red = risk of falling to a lower level or getting benched
Italics = American born/raised outside of the US, whose USMNT success apparently indicates that the US' "developmental system fails to produce good players"

 

SEPTEMBER 2018 UPDATE:
​

GOALKEEPERS:
Trust:
1. Zack Steffen, 1995(27), Columbus Crew

Contenders:
1. Alex Bono, 1994(28), Toronto FC
2. Brad Guzan, 1984(37), Atlanta United
3. Jesse Gonzalez, 1995(27), FC Dallas
4. Bill Hamid, 1990(31), FC Midtjylland > DC United
5. Ethan Horvath, 1995(26), Club Brugge


Pretenders:
1. Sean Johnson, 1989(33), New York City FC
2. Tim Melia, 1986(36), Sporting Kansas City
3. Matt Turner, 1994(27), New England Revolution
4. Tyler Miller, 1993(30), Los Angeles FC


Prospects:
1. Jonathan Klinsmann, 1997*(25) Hertha Berlin
2. JT Marcinkowski, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes
3. Brady Scott, 1999*(22) FC Koln
4. Justin Garces, 2000*(21), Atlanta United
5. David Ochoa, 2001*(21) Real Salt Lake


RIGHT BACKS:
Trust:
1. DeAndre Yedlin, 1993(28), Newcastle United

Contenders:
1. Shaquell Moore, 1996(25), Levante > CF Reus Deportiu
2. Tim Chandler, 1990(32) Eintracht Frankfurt (*Injured*)
3. Reggie Cannon, 1998*(23), FC Dallas
4. Eric Lichaj, 1988(33) Nottingham Forest

Pretenders:
1. Keegan Rosenberry, 1993(28) Philadelphia Union
2. Matt Polster, 1993(28) Chicago Fire

Prospects:
1. Brooks Lennon, 1997*(24), Real Salt Lake
2. Matthew Olosunde, 1998*(24), Manchester United
3. Sergino Dest, 2000*(21) Ajax Amsterdam
4. Manny Perez, 1999*(23) unattached
5. Kyle Duncan, 1997*(24) New York Red Bulls (*Injured*)
6. Marlon Fossey, 1998*(23), Fulham


CENTER BACKS:
Trust:
1. John Brooks, 1993(29), Wolfsburg
2. Matt Miazga, 1995(26), Chelsea > Nantes
3. Cameron Carter-Vickers, 1997*(24), Tottenham Hotspur > Swansea City

Contenders:
1. Tim Parker, 1993(29), New York Red Bulls
2. Eric Palmer-Brown, 1997*(25), Manchester City > NAC Breda
3. Aaron Long, 1992(29), New York Red Bulls
4. Brendan Hines-Ike, 1994(27) KV Kortrijk
5. Walker Zimmermann, 1993(29), Los Angeles FC
6. Auston Trusty, 1998*(23), Philadelphia Union
7. Mark McKenzie, 1999*(23) Philadelphia Union

Pretenders:
1. Justen Glad, 1997*(25), Real Salt Lake
2. Matt Hedges, 1990(32), FC Dallas
3. Ike Opara, 1989(33) Sporting Kansas City

Prospects:
1. Chris Richards, 2000*(22) FC Dallas > Bayern Munich
2. Miles Robinson, 1997*(25), Atlanta United
3. Lennard Maloney, 1999*(22) Union Berlin
3. Tommy Redding, 1997*(25), New York Red Bulls
4. James Sands, 2000*(21) New York City FC
5. Sam Rogers, 1999*(23) Seattle Sounders

LEFT BACKS:
Trust:
1. Antonee Robinson, 1997*(24) Everton

Contenders:
1. Greg Garza, 1991(30), Atlanta United (*Injured*)

Pretenders:
1. Jorge Villafana, 1989(32) Portland Timbers
2. Nick Lima, 1994(27) San Jose Earthquakes

Prospects:
1. Jaylin Lindsey, 2000*(22) Sporting Kansas City
2. Danilo Acosta, 1997*(24) Real Salt Lake
3. Aaron Herrera, 1997*(24) Real Salt Lake
4. George Bello, 2002*(20), Atlanta United
5. Chris Gloster, 2000*(21), Hannover 96
6. Matthew Real, 1999*(22), Philadelphia Union
7. Marco Farfan, 1998*(23), Portland Timbers
8. Sam Vines, 1999*(23), Colorado Rapids

CENTER MIDFIELDERS:
Trust:
1. Weston McKennie, 1998*(23) Schalke
2. Tyler Adams, 1999*(23) New York Red Bulls

Contenders:
1. Wil Trapp, 1993(29) Columbus Crew
2. Kellyn Acosta, 1995(25) Colorado Rapids
3. Cristian Roldan, 1995(26) Seattle Sounders
4. Darlington Nagbe, 1990(31) Atlanta United
5. Keaton Parks, 1997*(24) Benfica
6. Marky Delgado, 1995(27) Toronto FC

Pretenders:
1. Alfredo Morales, 1990(32) Fortuna Dusseldorf
2. Sean Davis, 1993(29) New York Red Bulls
3. Russell Canouse, 1995(26) DC United
4. Emerson Hyndman, 1996(26) Bournemouth > Hibernian
5. Danny Williams, 1989(33) Huddersfield Town
6. Jacori Hayes, 1995(26) FC Dallas
7. Caleb Stanko, 1993(28) Freiburg
8. Perry Kitchen, 1992(30) LA Galaxy

Prospects:
1. Chris Durkin, 2000*(22) DC United
2. Derrick Jones, 1997*(25) Philadelphia Union
3. Kyle Scott, 1997*(24) Chelsea > Telstar
4. Wan Kuzain, 1998*(23) Sporting Kansas City
5. Juan Torres, 1999*(22) Lokeren
6. Jackson Yeuill, 1997*(25) San Jose Earthquakes
7. Chris Goslin, 2000*(22) Atlanta United
8. Cameron Lindley, 1997*(24) Orlando City
9. Djordje Mihailovic, 1998*(23) Chicago Fire


WIDE/ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:
Trust:
1. Christian Pulisic, 1998*(23) Borussia Dortmund

Contenders:
1. Paul Arriola, 1995(27) DC United
2. Jonathan Amon, 1999*(23) FC Nordsjaelland

Pretenders:
1. Sebastian Lletget, 1992(29), LA Galaxy
2. Lynden Gooch, 1995(26) Sunderland
3. Rubio Rubin, 1996(26) Club Tijuana
4. Fafa Picault, 1991(31), Philadelphia Union
5. Chris Mueller, 1996(25) Orlando City
6. Kenny Saief, 1993(28) Anderlecht
7. Joe Corona, 1990(31) Club America
8. Kelyn Rowe, 1991(30) New England Revolution
9. Alex Muyl, 1995(26) New York Red Bulls
10. Joel Sonora, 1996(25), CA Talleres

Prospects:
1. Timothy Tillman, 1999*(23) Bayern Munich > FC Nurenberg
2. Jonathan Lewis, 1997*(24) New York City FC
3. Andrew Carleton, 2000*(21) Atlanta United
4. Luca De la Torre, 1998*(24) Fulham
5. Taylor Booth, 2001*(21) Bayern Munich
6. Anthony Fontana, 1999*(22) Philadelphia Union
7. Ben Mines, 2000*(22) New York Red Bulls
8. Sebastian Saucedo, 1997*(25) Real Salt Lake
9. Richard Ledezma, 2000*(21) Real Salt Lake

FORWARDS:
Trust:
1. Timothy Weah, 2000*(22), Paris SG

Contenders:
1. Andrija Novakovich, 1996(25) Reading FC > Fortuna Sittard
2. Josh Sargent, 2000*(22), Werder Bremen
3. Julian Green, 1995(26) Greuther Firth
4. Jordan Siebatcheu, 1992(26) Reims (*France Dual National*)
5. Emmanuel Sabbi, 1997*(24) Hobro IK
6. Bobby Wood, 1992(29), Hamburg > Hannover 96
7. Romain Gall, 1995(27), Malmo FF

Pretenders:
1. Jozy Altidore, 1989(32), Toronto FC
2. Gyasi Zardes, 1991(30), Columbus Crew
3. Dom Dwyer, 1990(31), Orlando City
4. Aron Johannsson, 1990(31) Werder Bremen
5. CJ Sapong, 1988(33), Philadelphia Union
6. Christian Ramirez, 1991(31), Los Angeles FC
7. Teal Bunbury, 1990(32) New England Revolution
8. Jordan Morris, 1994(26), Seattle Sounders (*injured*)

Prospects:
1. Gianluca Busio, 2002*(20), Sporting Kansas City
2. Haji Wright, 1998*(24), Schalke
3. Brandon Vasquez, 1998*(24) Atlanta United
4. Jeremy Ebobisse, 1997*(25), Portland Timbers
5. Sebastian Soto, 2000*(22) Hannover 96
6. Mason Toye, 1998*(23) Minnesota United
7. Paxton Pomykal, 1999*(22), FC Dallas
8. Joshua Perez, 1998*(24) Los Angeles FC
9. Zyen Jones, 2000*(21) Schalke
10. George Acosta, 2000*(22) Boca Juniors
11. Nebiyou Perry, 1999*(22) FC Koln
12. Ulysses Lanez, 2001*(21) LA Galaxy
13. Shaft Brewer, 1999*(22) Los Angeles FC
14. Josh Pynadath, 2002*(20) Ajax Amsterdam
15. Konrad De La Fuente, 2001*(20), FC Barcelona
16. Jesus Ferreira, 2000*(21), FC Dallas
17. Ayo Akinola, 2000*(22), Toronto FC
18. McKenzie Gaines, 1998*(24) Darmstadt
19. Isaiah Young, 1998*(24) Werder Bremen