The 2024 U-23 Player Pool Thread

I love wild and uninformed hot takes,

Paxton Aaronson and Aiden Morris will be big players on the qualifying team

 

Maybe someone could set the pool for us, maybe the consensus top 14-15 players at each position. Thanks in advance!

 

US Olympic 2024 Player Pool
(January 1, 2001)
Update: February, 2021
​

GOALKEEPERS:
Frontrunners:

1. David Ochoa, 2001*(20) Real Salt Lake
2. Chituru Odunze, 2002*(19) Leicester City

Contenders:

• Damian Las, 2002*(20) Fulham
• Chris Brady, 2004* (18) Chicago Fire
• John Pulskamp, 2001*(21) Sporting Kansas City
• Aaron Cervantes, 2002*(20) Rangers FC
• Alex Borto, 2003*(18) Fulham
• Ethan Wady, 2002* (20) Chelsea

Fringe:

• Abraham Rodriguez, 2002*(19) Colorado Rapids
• Gabriel Slonina, 2004* (18) Chicago Fire
  
• Luca Lewis, 2001*(21) New York Red Bulls
• Carver Miller, 2004*(18) Arminia Bielefeld
• Beckham Sunderland, 2003*(18) FC Cincinnati
• Jeffrey Dewsnup, 2004*(18) Real Salt Lake

~Emmanuel Ochoa, 2005*(17) San Jose Earthquakes {Mexico}
~Roccos Rios Novos, 2002*(20) Lanus {Argentina}

Dreamers:
Patrick Schulte, 2001*(21) Saint Louis FC; Brooks Thompson, 2002* (19) Sporting Kansas City; Hunter Sulte, 2002*(20) Portland Timbers; Andrew Cordes, 2003*(19) Colorado Rapids; Mitch Budler, 2003*(19) Philadelphia Union; Matthew Tibbetts, 2004*(17) New England Revolution; Cole Kulhanek, 2004*(18) Seattle Sounders; Antonio Carrera, 2004*(18) FC Dallas; Damian Alguera, 2004*(18) San Jose Earthquakes; Gavin Beavers, 2005*(16) Real Salt Lake; Robert Alphin, 2002*(19) North Carolina FC; Marzuq Puckerin, 2002*(19) New England Revolution; Seth Wilson, 2002*(20) unattached; Julian Eyestone, 2006*(16) FC Dallas

RIGHT BACKS:
Frontrunners:

1. Bryan Reynolds, 2001*(20) AS Roma
2. Julian Araujo 2001*(20) LA Galaxy
3. Joseph Scally, 2002*(19) Borussia Moenchengladbach

Contenders:

• Sebastian Anderson, 2002*(19) Colorado Rapids
• Nathan Harriel, 2001*(21) Philadelphia Union
• Jacob Akanyirige, 2001*(20) San Jose Earthquakes

Fringe:

• Logan Batiste, 2004*(17) Inter Miami
• Mauricio Cuevas, 2003*(19) LA Galaxy

~ Erik Duenas, 2004*(17) Los Angeles FC {Prefers Mexico}

Dreamers:
Michael Halliday, 2003*(19) Orlando City SC; Cameron Duke, 2001*(21) Sporting Kansas City; Jose Kevin Bonilla, 2001*(20) FC Dallas; Devan Tanton, 2004*(18) unattached; Noah Hall, 2003*(19) Columbus Crew

CENTER BACKS:
Frontrunners:

1. Justin Che, 2003*(18) FC Dallas > Bayern Munich

~Bryan Okoh, 2003*(19) FC Liefering {Prefers Switzerland}

Contenders:

• George Campbell, 2001*(20) Atlanta United
• Mason Judge, 2002*(20) Eintracht Frankfurt
• Bobby Pierre, 2002*(19) Racing Strasbourg
• Jonathan Tomkinson, 2002*(20) Norwich City
• Casey Walls, 2003*(18) San Jose Earthquakes
• Tayvon Gray, 2002*(19) New York City FC
• Josh Atencio, 2002*(20) Seattle Sounders

Fringe:

• Kwabena Boateng, 2001*(20) unattached
• Efrain Morales, 2004*(18) Atlanta United
• Nico Benalcazar, 2001*(20) unattached
• Blake Malone, 2001*(21) Orange County SC
• Brandan Craig, 2004*(18) Philadelphia Union
• Nicholas Slonina, 2001*(21) Chicago Fire
• Kaveri Rad, 2001*(20) Sporting Kansas City
• Thomas Williams, 2004*(17) Orlando City
• Jalen Neal, 2003*(18) LA Galaxy
• Nati Clarke, 2005*(17) Sporting Kansas City
• Samuel Jones, 2004*(18) Philadelphia Union

~ Tony Leone, 2004*(18) Los Angeles FC {Mexico}

Dreamers:
Axel Alejandre, 2002*(19) Chicago Fire, Erik McCue, 2001*(21) Houston Dynamo; Kobi Henry, 2004*(18) Orange County, Marcus Ferkranus, 2003*(19) LA Galaxy; Nigel Prince, 2004*(18) Atlanta United; Eric Kinzner, 2003*(19) Seattle Sounders; Nelson Martinez, 2001*(21) DC United; Ian Fray, 2002*(19) Inter Miami

LEFT BACKS:
Frontrunners:

1. George Bello, 2002*(20), Atlanta United
2. Kobe Hernandez-Foster, 2002*(19) Wolfsburg
3. Leon Flach, 2001*(20) St Pauli

Contenders:

• Jonathan Gomez, 2003*(18) Louisville City FC
• Travian Sousa, 2001*(20) Sporting Kansas City

Fringe:

• Leonardo Sepulveda, 2001*(20) Salamanca
• John Tolkin, 2002*(19) New York Red Bulls
• Andre Reynolds, 2001*(21) Chicago Fire
• Stuart Ritchie, 2001*(20), Hannover 96
• Jacob Greene, 2003*(19) DC United
• Caleb Wiley, 2004*(17) Atlanta United

Dreamers:
Matthew Edwards, 2003*(19) Atlanta United; Alex Villanueva, 2002*(19) Seattle Sounders

MIDFIELDERS:
Frontrunners:

1. Yunus Musah, 2002*(19) Valencia {England dual}
2. Owen Otasowie, 2001*(21) Wolverhampton Wanderers
3. Johnny Cardoso, 2001*(20) Internacional
4. Tanner Tessman, 2001*(20) FC Dallas
   
5. Moses Nyeman, 2003*(18) DC United

Contenders:

• Bryang Kayo, 2002*(19) Wolfsburg
• Aiden Morris, 2001*(20) Columbus Crew
• Danny Leyva, 2003*(19) Seattle Sounders
• Taylor Booth, 2001*(21) Bayern Munich > St. Polten
• Sebastian Berhalter, 2001*(21) Columbus Crew

Fringe:

• Jack McGlynn, 2003*(18) Philadelphia Union
• Justin Haak, 2001*(20) New York City FC
• Ian Hoffman, 2001*(20) Houston Dynamo
• Bryce Duke, 2001*(21) Los Angeles FC
• Jordan Bender, 2001*(20) Orlando City SC
• Matthew Corcoran, 2006*(16) FC Dallas
• Cole Turner, 2001*(20) Philadelphia Union
• Allan Rodriguez, 2004*(18) Chicago Fire
• Javier Casas, 2003*(19)Chicago Fire
• Adam Saldana, 2002*(20) LA Galaxy
• Alejandro Alvarado, 2003*(18) LA Galaxy
• Jordan Jones, 2005*(17) FC Dallas
• Zach Booth, 2004*(18) Leicester City
• Aethan Yohannes, 2004*(18) AZ Alkmaar
• Juan Alvarez, 2004*(17) Seattle Sounders
• Eric Ayala, 2004*(17) Club Tijuana
• Kenan Hot, 2004*(18) New York Red Bulls
• Reed Baker-Whiting, 2005*(17) Seattle Sounders
• Jeremy Garay, 2003*(19) DC United
• Sota Kitahara, 2003*(19) Seattle Sounders
• Jonathan Davis, 2002*(20) Sporting Kansas City
• Will Vint, 2001*(20) Colorado Rapids

Dreamers:
Gilbert Fuentes, 2002*(20) San Jose Earthquakes; Juan Castilla, 2004*(18) Houston Dynamo; Cullen Wilkerson, 2004*(17) Portland Timbers; Francis Jacobs, 2005*(17) Orange County; Raymond Drai, 2003*(18) Orange County; Evan Posnanski, 2001*(20) Charleston Batters; Francisco Raggio, 2002*(20) Inter Miami

PLAYMAKERS:
Frontrunners:

1. Giovanni Reyna, 2002*(20) Borussia Dortmund
2. Cole Bassett, 2001*(20) Colorado Rapids
3. Gianluca Busio, 2002*(20), Sporting Kansas City

Contenders:

• Malik Tillman, 2002*(20) Bayern Munich {Germany dual}
• Matko Miljevic, 2001*(21) Argentinos
• Paxten Aaronson, 2003*(18) Philadelphia Union
• Evan Rotundo, 2004*(17) Schalke
• Jose Gallegos, 2001*(20) San Antonio FC
• Quinn Sullivan, 2004*(18) Philadelphia Union

Fringe:

• Damien Rivera, 2002*(19) New England Revolution
• Brian Gutierrez, 2003*(18) Chicago Fire
• Marcelo Palomino, 2001*(21) Houston Dynamo
• Victor Valdez, 2004*(18) LA Galaxy

Dreamers:
Luis Arriaga, 2001*(21) Real Salt Lake; Daniel Rios, 2003*(19) Houston Dynamo; Fabrizio Bernal, 2003*(18) San Antonio FC; Leo Torres, 2004*(18) San Antonio FC; Mario Penagos, 2002*(20) Sacramento Republic; Ethan Bryant, 2001*(20) San Antonio FC; Danny Robles, 2002*(20) Seattle Sounders; Bailey Sparks, 2002*(19) Sporting Kansas City; David Rodriguez, 2002*(20) FC Dallas

WINGERS:
Frontrunners:

1. Konrad De La Fuente, 2001*(20), FC Barcelona
2. Ulysses Llanez, 2001*(21) Wolfsburg
3. Caden Clark, 2003*(19) RB Leipzig > New York Red Bulls
4. Cade Cowell, 2003*(18) San Jose Earthquakes
5. Kevin Paredes, 2003*(19) DC United

~Efrain Alvarez, 2002*(19) LA Galaxy {Mexico dual}
~Alex Mighten, 2002*(20) Nottingham Forest {England dual}

Contenders:

• Cameron Harper, 2001*(20) New York Red Bulls
• Indiana Vassiliev, 2001*(21) Aston Villa > Cheltenham
• Griffin Yow, 2002*(20) DC United
• Thomas Roberts, 2001*(21) FC Dallas
• Tyler Wolff, 2003*(19) Atlanta United

Fringe:

• Matteo Ritaccio, 2001*(20) Liverpool FC
• Felipe Valencia, 2005*(17) Inter Miami
• Ethan Dobbelaere, 2002*(19) Seattle Sounders
• Marlon Vargas, 2001*(21) Seattle Sounders
• Dantouma Toure, 2004*(17) New York Red Bulls
• Darren Yapi, 2004*(17) Colorado Rapids
• Gage Akalu, 2005*(16) Sporting Kansas City
• Diego Lopez, 2002*(20) Orange County SC
• Christopher Garcia, 2003*(19) Real Salt Lake
• Bode Davis, 2002*(20) Real Salt Lake

Dreamers:
Alex Monis, 2003*(19) Chicago Fire; Cameron Dunbar, 2002*(19) LA Galaxy; Anthony Ramirez, 2005*(16) FC Dallas; Rafael Jauregui, 2004*(17) Sacramento Republic; Azriel Gonzalez, 2001*(21) Seattle Sounders; Ray Serrano, 2002*(20) Seattle Sounders; Theodore Ku-DiPietro, 2002*(20) DC United; Gibran Rayo, 2001*(20) FC Dallas

FORWARDS:
Frontrunners:

1. Matthew Hoppe, 2001*(21) Schalke
2. Ricardo Pepi, 2003*(18) FC Dallas
3. Folarin Balogun, 2001*(20) Arsenal {England dual}
4. Malick Sanogo, 2004*(18) Union Berlin {Germany dual}

~Santiago Munoz, 2002*(19) Santos Laguna {Prefers Mexico}

Contenders:

• Charlie Kelman, 2001*(20) Queens Park Rangers
• Patrick Koffi, 2001*(20) Paris FC
• Dante Sealy, 2003*(19) FC Dallas
• Federico Olivia, 2004*(17) Atletico Madrid
• Johan Gomez, 2001*(20) FC Porto
• Justin Butler, 2001*(21) FC Ingolstadt
• Jack de Vries, 2002*(20), Philadelphia Union
• Jackson Conway, 2001*(20) Atlanta United
• Alfonso Ocampo-Cavez, 2002*(20) Seattle Sounders
• Jalen Hawkins, 2001*(21) FC Ingolstadt

~Christian Torres, 2004*(18) Los Angeles FC {Prefers Mexico}

Fringe:

• Josh Pynadath, 2002*(20) unattached
• Tyler Freeman, 2003*(19) Sporting Kansas City
• Stefan Stojanovic, 2001*(21) unattached

~Dzanan Mehicevic, 2003*(19) Eintracht Frankfurt {Bosnia camp}

Dreamers:
Noah Jones, 2002*(20) RB Leipzig; Matthew Roou, 2003*(19) unattached; Patrick Weah, 2003*(18) unattached

 

The early look ~ best 23:

GK: David Ochoa, Chituri Odunze, Chris Brady
RB: Bryan Reynolds, Joe Scally
CB: Justin Che, Julian Araujo
CB: Owen Otasowie, George Campbell
(Not counting Okoh for now)
LB: George Bello, Leon Flach
M6: Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessman
M8: Yunus Musah, Gianluca Busio
10: Gio Reyna, Cole Bassett
RW: Caden Clark, Uly Llanez
LW: Konrad de la Fuente, Cade Cowell
FW: Matthew Hoppe, Ricardo Pepi

Note: It’s amazing how poor our center back position is at this level. I had to move Otasowie to center back (and I think he’s almost more of an #8), Julian Araujo from right back, and I just took a guess. Hopefully someone emerges. And hopefully, Okoh commits. Either way, I expect this is where we use our overage players.

Note: I feel okayish everywhere else on the field.

Note: Obviously, I know that many of these players won’t be available. But I’m just listing our best possible 23 for reference sake.

 

I don't think the centerback position in this pool is poor; its just a position that becomes clearer in more years. Its early. Most fans probably hadn't heard of Justin Che until two weeks ago (not on this board). So CBs will emerge. We just don't know who they are.

Four years ago who the hell had heard of Henry Kessler?

 

With no WCQ'ing, this would be the Olympics to send your best team. You can even send Pulisic, McKennie, Adams as overage players. It depends on club releases, but you can trade the Olympics for the Gold Cup. Plus, these players will have some pull at their clubs and probably will be well established.

The games will be on at a reasonable time and will be based in Europe, where all our top players will likely be playing.

If you want a Gold Medal, this is the shot.

 

Sure. CB is a strength in this cycle. Its night and day compared to the 2016 cycle.
[For the 2015 U23 CONCACAF Championships we had to call CCV waaaaaaaaaay up in age groups. Brooks hadn't committed yet.]
For the 2020 cycle, CB looked like a real strength four years ago because of the depth being built up.
Some succeeded. Some didn't or haven't yet (like say Danny Barbir).

It doesn't appear to be as good this upcoming cycle, but that doesn't mean it'll be "bad."

We have to expect every cycle to have different strengths and weaknesses.

A year from now we'll know more about the trajectories of the 02s and 03s.

 

Hopefully this does not become a topic we focus on too much until August. I am going to postpone assessing this cycle until we complete the current one.

 

The one aspect I'd like is for this 2024 cycle to start right away.
Hire a coach, etc. if Kreis isn't continuing.

A lot of these players are the guys that missed out on the cancelled U20 cycle, so I'd like to provide them with some opportunities.
A bunch are with the full USMNT, but then there are others that aren't.

 

No it is not. But think of the position USSF is in. They could call, for example, Pulisic to the Gold Cup. Make him come all the way to USA for three weeks. Or they could tell Chelsea, "how about instead he goes to Paris for three weeks?" The events basically overlap but without intercontinental travel.

I think any European team would opt to keep the player in Europe. Plus, the officiating and physical toll in the Olympics will be less than the Concafery going on over here. Would you prefer your player playing the German U23 team with La Liga or Ligue 1 refs or Honduras with refs from Bermuda?

 

Slight correction: in normal times, the 24-month period of time in which we all griped about why the cycle isn't underway would be underway, until finally the USSF threw together a few slapdash camps.

 

I appreciate the thorough and entirely reasonable lists put forward by @David Kerr and @Eleven Bravo. They always serve as interesting benchmarks as the cycle progresses and the player pool evolves. It never fails to be remarkable how much things can change over 3-4 years. We could all post projected rosters and any of us would be extremely fortunate to even get 50% of the names right.

 

Yup. All folks need to do is look at the first couple of roster predictions from the 2020 Olympic cycle thread.
We are sure to be wrong on a lot of this. There's a lot of volatility.
Its why I'm not so keen on making definitive statements right now about a particular position in the group 4 years from now.

 

I learn a lot about who’s who on these forums. For example, from @David Kerr list, I can tell there are a number of players I need to look into.

I think we can feel confident that Bello, Reynolds, Johnny, Araujo, Tessman, Busio, Musah, Reyna, Bassett, Clark, Hoppe, and a few others are going to be solid pros, but it’s pretty much anyone’s guess sometimes with prospects.

Nonetheless, it’s still fun and interesting to make predictions.

 

Oooh, lists and mock rosters... for an event 3.5 years away! Big Soccer at its finest!!!

 

Our future top CBs are just getting excited of obtaining college scholarships. The biggest issue with that position is cleaning dead wood. The same with keepers.

 

The other thing we need to predict is how many posts this thread will have by the time the 2024 Olympics actually begin.

I pledge to do my part to pump up the stats.