Former U17 Players in the U20 WC squad

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by Lookingforleftbacks, May 13, 2019.

  1. Lookingforleftbacks

    Galaxy
    United States
    Dec 17, 2016
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Check out the tweet from @zlebmada


    2 years ago, which players did you swear would be on the U20 World Cup Roster this year?

    What 6 players on this year’s U17 qualifying roster do you swear will be on the ‘21 u20 WC roster? Will any play in qualifying or in Qatar (if we qualify)?

    Give yourself a chance to pat yourself on the back in 2 years. Make those bold predictions!
     
    Winoman repped this.
  2. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    Back then would have told you Durkin, Sargeant, Ferri, Weah, and Gloster.

    Having said that, out of this U17 team, Reyna, Las, AOC and Leyva will be on U20 team in two years.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  3. Lookingforleftbacks

    Galaxy
    United States
    Dec 17, 2016
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think those 4 will be on most people's list, but I’m just curious about the other guys and who rates individuals differently. Someone saying Yow, for instance.
     
  4. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    From watching the U17 games recently I don't rate Yow at all and think I could find a ton of kids that bring what he does. Good dribbler, confident, small kid, quick and works hard. Not terribly good in ratio of successful dribbles to turnovers, and gets pushed around too much. I would be surprised to see him on the U20s.

    Also starting to take a pass on the Pepi train as he can't seem to find any stride with this group even if he does tear up the USL. But that may be knee jerk reaction to last week so may come back around on him. But he needs to produce more than he is currently.
     
  5. Lookingforleftbacks

    Galaxy
    United States
    Dec 17, 2016
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I’m with you on Yow, but if you look at who the guys are who made this year’s u20 roster, a lot of them are guys you definitely would not have expected. I never would’ve guessed dos Santos or Akinola would make it. Actually, I barely remember dos Santos even being on that u17 team because Garces started practically every game.

    Since Las hasn’t signed an MLS contract and seems destined for Europe, I don’t think it is that outlandish to say he might not be released in ‘21 and Odunze is on that u20 roster.
     
  6. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    Agree with you on Akinola, I think he must have the dirt on someone. After watching him at the U20 Qualifiers figured no way he comes back but there he is.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  7. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    Busio should be there, still underrated. But the only lock for me is Leyva.
    Las: you never know with the keepers.
    Reyna: exactly like Busio, which position is he playing?
    AOC: he isn't an early bloomer athletically, will he be strong enough by then?
     
    deejay repped this.
  8. Lookingforleftbacks

    Galaxy
    United States
    Dec 17, 2016
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In theory, I’d agree that Leyva would be at the top of my list... but neither of the two guys from the top of my list 2 years ago made it this year. What if Leyva is a senior team player or isn’t released by the Sounders?

    I can’t overstate how much Leyva has grown on me this tournament, and it seems like he’s gaining confidence and getting better every game. And I think almost everyone sees it, which means Seattle does, too.

    Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of these kids were regular starters 2 years from now. You look at a guy like Pomykal, who was kind of like Nyeman in that he was undersized and got pushed around a bit when he was u17 eligible, and then you realize that these kids are going to grow and get stronger in the next two years. Everyday guys are getting first team minutes and becoming more and more valuable to their clubs as 17 year olds. 2 years of experience and strength is huge at this age.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Pepi, AOC, Yow, Leyva, Kobe, maybe even Gray, Scally, Cuevas, or Fuentes were first team starters or valuable first team players in 2 years. Even Reyna or Las could be.
     
  9. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    Agree, and I forgot about Kobe he would be in my top 3.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  10. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    As we see, the best six players aren't always the six that are there. There are too many variables to predict which players from any given age group will be on a specific YNT roster. There are always reasons why some players are not on certain rosters.

    If you are asking who I think are the best players from the current qualifying team, I would say Las, Scally, AOC, Pepi, Cuevas and Reyna are the six best prospects from this team, IMO. This team is missing one from what I'd rank as the top 5 in '02 (Bello), and the three best from '03 (Nyeman, Gomez, Chifamba), so the U-17 roster also doesn't have some of the best players, like the U-20 roster.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  11. Lookingforleftbacks

    Galaxy
    United States
    Dec 17, 2016
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, I meant factoring in other variables like senior team call ups and not being released. That’s part of the fun :)

    I’d say it’s probably safe to assume at least a few of the top players from each age group may not be available for the u20 WC for one reason or another. I’d also say it’s probably safe to assume at least one fullback will make it because of the scarcity of talent in those positions.

    I think it’s also worth considering that this senior team cycle has been out of the ordinary because of the dearth of talent in the ‘91-‘97 (or whatever) age years. In a normal cycle, a guy like Sargent. or Weah may not have received a call at this point.

    But the other thing to consider is the success of Pomykal. With how many of these current u17s are getting pro minutes now, is it that outlandish to think they could emerge like Pomykal next year and then have 2 years of MLS success by ‘21, and thus perhaps be in line for senior team minutes? I think not.

    So the fun is in predicting who will be where 2 years from now and deciding who will be around for that u20 team.
     
  12. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    No Leyva? I think he will start in MLS this season and sold to a top league in 2 years.
     
  13. TarHeels17

    TarHeels17 Member+

    Jan 10, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From late January 2018, I have a note that in my notes app that says the following:

    23 Man Roster:
    Forwards:
    Strikers:
    1. Josh Sargent ('00, Bremen)
    2. Timothy Weah ('00, PSG)
    Left Wingers:
    1. Jonathan Amon ('99, Nordsjaelland)
    2. Andrew Carleton ('00, Atlanta)
    Right Wingers:
    1. Nick Taitague ('99, Schalke)
    2. Jesus Ferreira ('00, Dallas)
    Midfielders:
    Attacking Midfielders:
    1. Paxton Pomykal ('99, Dallas)
    Central Midfielders:
    1. Tyler Adams ('99, Red Bulls)
    2. Brandon Servania ('99, Dallas)
    3. Chris Goslin ('00, Atlanta)
    Holding Midfielders:
    1. Chris Durkin ('00, DC United)
    2. James Sands ('00, NYCFC)
    Defenders:
    Left Backs:
    1. Matthew Real ('99, Philadelphia)
    Center Backs:
    1. Samuel Rogers ('99, Seattle)
    2. Mark McKenzie ('99, Philadelphia)
    3. Leonardo Sepulveda ('01, LA Galaxy)
    4. Julian Araujo ('01, Santa Barbara)
    Right Backs:
    1. Jaylin Lindsey ('00, Kansas City)
    2. Xuxuh Hilton ('01, Koninklijke)
    3. Sergino Dest ('00, Ajax)
    Goalies:
    1. Brady Scott ('99, Koln)
    2. Justin Garces ('00, Atlanta)
    3. Eric Lopez ('99, LA Galaxy)

    So I wouldn’t say I did that poorly, although not having Gloster is a head scratcher. Another one from July 2017 has this:

    23 Man Roster:
    Forwards:
    Strikers:
    1. Josh Sargent ('00, Saint Louis)
    2. Timothy Weah ('00, PSG)
    3. Shaft Brewer ('99, Leipzig)
    Left Wingers:
    1. Andrew Carleton ('00, Atlanta)
    2. Jesus Ferreira ('00, Dallas)
    Right Wingers:
    1. Paxton Pomykal ('99, Dallas)
    2. Nick Taitague ('99, Schalke)
    Midfielders:
    Central Midfielders:
    1. Tyler Adams ('99, Red Bulls)
    2. Jonathan Gonzalez ('99, Monterrey)
    3. Brandon Servania ('99, Dallas)
    Holding Midfielders:
    1. Chris Durkin ('00, DC United)
    2. James Sands ('00, NYCFC)
    Defenders:
    Left Backs:
    1. Chris Gloster ('00, Red Bulls)
    2. Aedan Stanley ('99, Saint Louis)
    Center Backs:
    1. Samuel Rogers ('99, Seattle)
    2. JJ Foe Nuphaus ('00, San Jose)
    3. Mark McKenzie ('99, Philadelphia)
    4. Leonardo Sepulveda ('01, LA Galaxy)
    Right Backs:
    1. Jaylin Lindsey ('00, Kansas City)
    2. Xuxuh Hilton ('01, LA Galaxy)
    Goalies:
    1. Brady Scott ('99, Koln)
    2. Justin Garces ('00, Kendall)
    3. Brandon Austin ('99, Tottenham)

    And my picks are usually fairly chalk, with a few personal favorites thrown in. I think those lists show both how hard it is to choose but also that it isn’t as impossible as people think. A few of those guys I had never even seen play since I don’t watch DA games, but I had heard good stuff about either on here or on Twitter, but then again that’s how I got Araujo.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks and zlebmada repped this.
  14. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    There's always high turnover between the U17s and U20s.
    Part of that is because after the first couple of stars players, the gap between the kids on the roster and those left out isn't all that great. This often seems to be the case in defense. There are so many USMNT defenders that never played for the U17s (or only had one/two caps). How many combined U17 caps did Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, and Aboubacar Keita have? Zero?

    To be fair, the U17s used to a different beast. The kids that made the U17 World Cup squad were overwhelmingly those that chose to move to Bradenton. If you didn't do that, then you were on the outside-looking-in. Hence why some of these FCD stars (Weston McKennie is the best example) weren't selected. They chose to stay at FCD. Pomykal, Cerrillo, and Servania combined U17 caps? Zero?

    Then opportunity in the intervening years has a lot to do with it. Paxton Pomykal plays first team soccer for Dallas. He has a platform. Blaine Ferri only recently got going for Furth. He's had very little platform. At this point he's played in one U23 game? Ferri was probably behind Aaronson as well. So he was a starter for his U17 cycle, but really an afterthought this U20 cycle. Now, perhaps 3 years from now Ferri will have zoomed back in front as a USMNT pool player. Who knows what the future holds...………………...

    And if you're a good national team program, there's a lot of competition for places. There should be severe competition all around the field.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  15. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    You think he’ll be a starter this season? I don’t see that happening.

    He’s close to being within that six, but I think his athleticism will limit his ceiling.
     
  16. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    I think he is athletic, actually. He is just 15. I see him playing for Seattle before super talented AOC who isn't strong enough yet for the adult game.
     
  17. TarHeels17

    TarHeels17 Member+

    Jan 10, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    To be fair Pax and Servania would've gotten call ups if they were even birth years. They were known quantities. I get the point, though.

    However, defenders do seem to come out of nowhere. McKenzie at this point last cycle was literally a name I had on a spreadsheet with a lot of USL minutes. I don't know if anyone had ever watched him. There were no natural 99 or 00 centerbacks anyone really had any confidence in, which is why my lists up there had Rogers and McKenzie on the list. They just happened to be the two CBs in the USL getting minutes.

    Speaking of which, we seem to be in a fairly similar situation for next cycle. Kobe is more of a LB for most, Gray is historically a DM, Judge wasn't released and although he's been earning accolades at Frankfurt I don't know if anyone has really been that high on him while actually from watching him, and Alejandre just seems adequate at the U17 level. Nobody back there inspires confidence in terms of the U20 level, and the '01s aren't much better.

    Akanyirige, McCue, and Reynolds (if he's a CB, I don't even know) are the guys on 1st team contracts, but they're all on horrible franchises. It's kind of funny how it worked out that way. Anyways, I've only actually heard good things about Akanyirige, and he's still a complete unknown to me. He wasn't part of his age group's YNTs at all, then got called up once after he got his contract, only to never be called up again. This group isn't quite inspiring.

    Currently, the two players with the most minutes are Atlanta's George Campbell, who should definitely get looks the next time the U18 NT gets together, and Cole Turner of the Union. Just something to think about.
     
  18. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    Reynolds plays LB. His brother is a highly rated RB at the Chicago academy. They play similar, with the caveat being that Justin is a better prospect than Andre.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks and TarHeels17 repped this.
  19. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    Yep, but hopefully slotted to LB. I think he has a high ceiling for several reasons- solid technically, excellent passer, good understanding of game, decent athleticism.
     
    butters59 repped this.
  20. Thundering165

    Thundering165 Member+

    North Carolina FC
    United States
    May 1, 2017
    Raleigh
    The real hurdle for the U17s making it to be u20s is the birth year above them. There's a lot of 01s that have a good shot at beating out their younger competition. Another hurdle is playing somewhere that they won't disappear. A lot of good players have gone to Europe or elsewhere and faded from the YNT picture. The final hurdle is not being so good that you're needed elsewhere like Sargent.

    At GK, Las is at least going to be in the next cycle if not a starter. Odunze has all the tools and could make a huge leap as well.

    On the back line I only see Kobe sticking around from this roster. Everyone else will need to be replaced.

    At midfield there's a lot more question marks. Leyva has the best chance, but it wouldn't be crazy to see Kayo develop enough as a 6 to be called up. Busio seems like a prime candidate to be too good for the U20s.

    Reyna should be a lock, but what if he's not getting minutes for Dortmund or on loan in two years?

    AOC and Pepi both have a chance but Miljevic and Kelman should be in the picture as well.
     
  21. Sizmik

    Sizmik Member+

    Dec 21, 2011
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Reyna, Busio, Pepi, Scally, Leyva, Kobe

    and obviously if a kid has surpassed the U20's its a good call
     
  22. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Busio's MLS minutes are growing at a pace faster than Adams but not as fast as Davies. He has 3 goals scored in MLS after 4 starts which is outstanding. This is inarguably the numbers of a top prospect.
     
  23. TarHeels17

    TarHeels17 Member+

    Jan 10, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If I’m calling starters for the next cycle, I’m going with Leyva and whichever one of these strikers develops better. After that, there’s a lot of question marks. Kobe’s really good, but depending on the position he’s either going against Bello or playing somewhere most people don’t think he belongs. Personally, I still think we see him at CB in 2 years with the youth teams just to get him and Bello on the field.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  24. kinznk

    kinznk Member

    Feb 11, 2007
    If Leyva passes all the hurdles you mention he could play in 2 u20 World Cups. That is if I'm doing the math correctly.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.
  25. Thundering165

    Thundering165 Member+

    North Carolina FC
    United States
    May 1, 2017
    Raleigh
    There are very few players that play in two U20 World Cups, mostly because they get too good. Last cycle was an exception with 3 returners in Zelalem, CCV, and EPB. Of course, aside from CCV I don't remember anyone being too happy with their career progression in those two years.
     
    Lookingforleftbacks repped this.

Share This Page