The 2025 U-20 Player Pool Thread

Marcus says this is another class that was hurt significantly by the pandemic but it still looks pretty decent, plenty of talent in the top 8-9 and some guys who could hit below that...

Top 20 United States Prospects Born in 2005
https://www.ussoccercollective.com/rankings/2005

#1 | CM, Noel Buck, New England Revolution
#2 | CM, Benja Cremaschi, Inter Miami CF
#3 | RB, Reed Baker-Whiting, Seattle Sounders
#4 | CM, Niko Tsakiris, San Jose Earthquakes
#5 | CB, Josh Wynder, Benfica
#6 | WING, Esmir Bajraktarevic, New England Revolution
#7 | WING, Kristian Fletcher, Swansea City (D.C. United)
#8 | DM, Obed Vargas, Seattle Sounders
#9 | CF, Rodrigo Neri, Atletico Madrid
#10 | DM, Brooklyn Raines, Houston Dynamo
#11 | CF, Nelson Pierre, Philadelphia Union
#12 | DM, Miguel Perez, St. Louis City
#13 | WING, Luke Brennan, Atlanta United
#14 | CB, Drew Murray, SC Freiburg
#15 | GK, Gavin Beavers, Real Salt Lake
#16 | DM/LB, Nolan Norris, FC Dallas
#17 | CB, Santiago Suarez, New England Revolution
#18 | LB, Nati Clarke, Sporting KC
#19 | CM, Sergio Oregel Jr, Chicago Fire
#20 | WING, Felipe Valencia, Inter Miami CF

Additional notes
I was not able to acquire film from the last six months on Bora Aydinlik, Marcos Zambrano, Matheus Guimarães Lucas, Luken Kesner, Chris Mbaï-Assem, Hudson Davis, David Voute, Leo Duru, Tyler Pasnik and Charles Demarco therefore I do not feel comfortable adding them to the top 20 list. From what I have seen, many of these players are talented and some players I have heard are talented players.

I also did not include Serge Ngoma, Curtis Ofori and Tarik Scott because they missed this past season due to injury.

Lastly, Guilio Misitano is a player working on getting his U.S. citizenship, if he is able to get that, he will be added to the list. If he had it, he would be my top rated 2005 born player — he is a top prospect.​

 

Amazing to see New England with 3 players in any type of prospect list like that. Never would have thought it would be possible 10 years ago

 

Not for long. Bruce had a word (look, thought) not appreciated by someone (ABMOD) so the cacellation was necessary.

 

Did the revs clean house with all the academy staff as well or something?

 

Not sure, but the assistants are gone as well, and all that, sure, will have a major impact on the academy.

 

That's sad because they had finally started being a player in Academies.

 

Onalfo took over at GM; he's been technical director at the Revs since 2019 so he's overseen the overhaul.

So I don't expect much to change there. Only one of the Arena guys really left -- he headed up the Galaxy academy when Arena was there.

 

Hope you're right. There seems like there should be a balance between HG's getting minutes and helping via the cap and a strong base topped off with DP's in positions of need. Not sure any team's hit on the magic formula yet.

 

New coach will have the most say, but hiring your TD to be your GM doesn't scream "we're deprioritizing development."

 

You're missing the part about playing them. LAG over the years has had a lot of HG's but they've not integrated them well. Arena was playing the young players (which he didn't do at LAG) and there's no guaranty a new coach will.

 

Am I missing it, or is that included in the comment "New coach will have the most say"?

 

As seems to generally be the case, the big question marks here seem to be up top, even without this cycle having a Pepi-like MNT pool guy who's more or less moved past the YNTs. Who might step up and compete here from the '05s specifically?

 

I expect Figueroa and Neri to be the strikers for this group.

 

I bet that's what most folks would say today, maybe even including me, but 2025 is a long way off, and we'll need options. I'm not even sure who they are right now really? It's been real quiet on the Zambrano front, at least on BigSoccer. Maybe someone like Fletcher moves over.

 

I’m worried if either of the top two options are those two. Zambrano too, I’m not sure about, although I think he’s an option.

A few others I wouldn’t rule out.

Nelson Pierre (‘05)
Maximus Ekk (‘05)
Kaan Inanoglu (‘05)
Adem Sipic (‘06)
Julian Placias (‘06)
Caden Glover (‘07)
Justin Ellis (‘07)
Tomo Allen (‘07)
Axel Kei (‘07)

 

Caden Glover has some ability but not of the kind to play up a cycle. Fletcher is a plausible candidate but more likely to stay wide.

 

That Portuguese black hole.

 

Updated….

GOALKEEPERS:
Rated:

1. Diego Kochen, 2006**(20) FC Barcelona
2. Adam Beaudry, 2006**(20), Colorado Rapids
3. Gavin Beavers, 2005**(21) Real Monarchs
4. Duran Ferree, 2006**(19) San Diego Loyal SC
5. Julian Eyestone, 2006**(20) FC Dallas
6. Emmanuel Ochoa, 2005**(21), San Jose Earthquakes [Mexico]
7. Zackory Campagnolo, 2007**(20) Colorado Rapids

Unrated:

• Andrew Rick, 2006**(20) Philadelphia Union
• Aidan Strokes, 2008**(18) New York Red Bulls [England]

RIGHT BACKS:
Rated:

1. Reed Baker-Whiting, 2005**(21) Seattle Sounders {WG, 10, M8, RB, LB}
2. Aiden Harangi, 2006**(20) Eintracht Frankfurt {RB} [Hungary]
3. Oscar Verhoeven, 2006**(20), San Jose Earthquakes {RB, CB, LB}
4. Shawn Lanza, 2006**(20) Atlanta United {RB}

Unrated:

• Andrew Baiera, 2007**(19) New York Red Bulls {RB}
• Nolan McGuire, 2005**(20) Saint Louis City SC {RB}
• Jace Clark, 2005**(20) DC United {RB}
• Diego Rosales, 2005**(20), Los Angeles FC {RB, CB}
• Joshua Santiago, 2007**(19) Los Angeles FC {RB} [Mexico]

CENTER BACKS:
Rated:

1. Joshua Wynder, 2005**(21) Benfica Lisbon {CB} [INJURED]
2. Matai Akinmboni, 2006**(19) DC United {CB} [Ghana]
3. Noah Cobb, 2005**(20) Atlanta United {CB, M6}
4. Tyler Hall, 2006**(20), Inter Miami {CB}
5. Noahkai Banks, 2006**(19) FC Augsburg {CB, M6, RB}
6. Stuart Hawkins, 2006**(19), Seattle Sounders {CB}
7. Christian Diaz, 2006**(20), Los Angeles FC {CB}
8. Santiago Suarez, 2005**(21) New England Revolution {CB}
9. Luis Rivera, 2007**(18) Real Salt Lake {CB}
   
10. Grayson Dettoni, 2005**(20) Bayern Munich {CB}
11. Drew Murray, 2005**(20) Freiburg {CB}
12. Ramiz Hamouda, 2008**(18) Sporting Kansas City {CB}

Unrated:

• Josh Maher, 2005**(20) Saint Louis City SC {CB}
• Fernando Venegas, 2005**(21) Sacramento Republic FC {CB}
• Mateo Pinilla, 2005**(21), Houston Dynamo {CB} [Colombia]
• Adrian Pelayo, 2006**(20) North Carolina FC {CB} [Mexico]
• Tate Lampman, 2006**(19) Houston Dynamo {CB}
• Shakir Nixon, 2006**(20) Los Angeles FC {CB}
• Neil Pierre, 2007**(18) Philadelphia Union {CB}

Dual-National Recruit:

• Tyler Meiser, 2007**(19) Borussia Dortmund {CB} [Germany]

LEFT BACKS:
Rated:

1. Nolan Norris, 2005**(21) FC Dallas {LB, CM}
2. Manu Romero, 2009***(17) Real Madrid [Uruguay, Spain]
   
3. Christian McFarlane, 2005**(19) New York City FC {LB} [England]
4. Peyton Miller, 2007**(18) New England Revolution {LB, WG}
5. Sawyer Jura, 2006**(20), Portland Timbers {LB, RB}
6. Tahir Reid-Brown, 2006**(20) Orlando City SC {LB}
7. Curtis Ofori, 2005**(22) New York Red Bulls {LB}

Unrated:

• Victor Enriquez, 2006**(20) Portland Timbers {LB}
• Luca Bombino, 2006**(19) Los Angeles FC {LB}
• Linkon Ream, 2009***(17) Real Salt Lake {LB}

MIDFIELDERS:
Rated:

1. Obed Vargas, 2005**(20) Seattle Sounders {M6, M8} [Mexico]
2. Pedro Soma, 2006**(19), UE Cornella {M6} [Brazil]
   
3. Miguel Perez, 2005**(21) Saint Louis City FC {10, WG, M8, M6} [Mexico]
4. Cruz Medina, 2006**(19) San Jose Earthquakes {M8, 10} [Mexico]
5. Adrian Gill, 2006**(20) FC Barcelona {M6, M8, RB} [Spain] [INJURED]
6. Matthew Corcoran, 2006**(20) Birmingham Legion FC {M8}
   
7. Taha Habroune, 2006**(20) Columbus Crew {M8, M6}
8. Adyn Torres, 2007**(18) Atlanta United {M8}
   
9. Sergio Oregel, 2005**(21) Chicago Fire {M8, 10}
10. Stivin Jimenez, 2007**(18) FC Cincinnati {M6}
    
11. Edwyn Mendoza, 2006**(20), San Jose Earthquakes {M6}
12. Bento Estrella, 2006**(20) New York Red Bulls {M6, M8} [Portugal]
13. Ethan Kohler, 2005**(21) Werder Bremen {DM}
    
14. Francis Jacobs, 2005**(21) Orange County SC {M6, M8}
    
15. Adri Mehmeti, 2009***(17) New York Red Bulls {M6, M8}

Unrated:

• Robert Deziel, 2005**(20) Bayern Munich {DM}
• Sam Williams, 2005**(21) New York Red Bulls {M8}
• Julio Benitez, 2005**(20) Real Monarchs {M8}
• Bryan Moyado, 2005**(20) Los Angeles FC {M6, M8} [Mexico]
• Aaron Heard, 2006**(19), Saint Louis City SC {M8, 10, WG}
• Jude Wellings, 2006**(20) Real Salt Lake {M8}
• Ian Shaul, 2006**(20), Portland Timbers {M8}
• Sebastian Rodriguez, 2007**(18) Houston Dynamo {M6}
• Decarlo Guerra, 2008**(18) Los Angeles FC {M6}
• Jude Terry, 2008**(18) Los Angeles FC {M8} [Mexico]
• Gil De Souza, 2008**(18) New York Red Bulls {M6, M8} [Brazil]

Dual-National Recruit:

• Noel Buck, 2005**(21) New England Revolution {10, WG, M8} [England]

ATTACKERS:
Rated:

1. Benjamin Cremaschi, 2005**(21) Inter Miami CF [Argentina]
2. Esmir Bajraktarevic, 2005**(21) New England Revolution {M8, 10, WG} [Bosnia]
3. Kristian Fletcher, 2005**(21) DC United > Swansea City {10, WG, FW}
   
4. Nimfasha Berchimas, 2008**(18) Charlotte FC {WG}
   
5. Niko Tsakiris, 2005**(20) San Jose Earthquakes {10, M8, WG}
6. Cavan Sullivan, 2009***(16) Philadelphia Union {WG, FW}
7. Serge Ngoma, 2005**(20), New York Red Bulls {FW, WG}
   
8. Santiago Morales, 2007**(19) Inter Miami {10}
   
9. Luke Brennan, 2005**(21) Atlanta United {FW, WG}
10. Brooklyn Raines, 2005**(21) Houston Dynamo {M8, 10, WG}
    
11. Jack Mize, 2008**(18) Borussia Dortmund {WG, 10}
    
12. Maximo Carrizo, 2008**(18) New York City FC {10, M8, WG} [Argentina]
13. Brian Carmona-Romero, 2006**(20) Charlotte FC {M8, 10, WG}
    
14. Malcolm Fry, 2005**(21) New England Revolution {WG}
15. Paulo Rudisill, 2006**(20), unattached {10, M8, WG} [Italy]
    
16. David Vazquez, 2006**(20), Philadelphia Union {10, M8, WG, FW}
17. Christopher Aquino, 2006**(20) Seattle Sounders {WG, FW}
18. Christopher Olney, Jr., 2006**(19) Philadelphia Union {10, WG, M8}

Unrated:

• Fabian Loyola, 2005**(21), Orlando City SC {WG, 10}
• Tarik Scott, 2005**(21), FC Dallas {WG} [Jamaica]
• Gage Akalu, 2005**(19) Sporting Kansas City {WG}
• Andre Gitau, 2006**(19) Houston Dynamo {WG, 10}
• Matthew Evans, 2006**(20) Los Angeles FC {10}
• Axel Perez, 2007**(19) Olympique Lyon {10} [Spain]
• Ruben Ramos, Jr., 2007**(19) LA Galaxy {WG}
• Owen Anderson, 2007**(19) Real Salt Lake {10}
• Gilberto Garcia, 2007**(19) Real Salt Lake {WG}
• Miles Perkovich, 2007**(19) Inter Miami {WG}
• Omar Marquez, 2008**(18) Real Salt Lake {WG}
• Cristiano Carlos, 2008**(18) New England Revolution {WG} [Portugal]
• Chance Cowell, 2008**(18) San Jose Earthquakes {WG} [Mexico]
• Jakob Garcia, 2009***(16) Orlando City SC {WG}

Dual-National Recruits:

• Cole Campbell, 2006**(20) Dortmund [Prefers Iceland]
• Bora Aydinlik, 2005**(21) Fenerbache > Hull City FC {WG} [Turkey]
  
• Olger Escobar, 2006**(19) New England Revolution {WG} [Guatemala]

FORWARDS:
Rated:

1. Keyrol Figueroa, 2006**(19) Liverpool {FW} [Honduras, England]
2. Rodrigo Neri, 2005**(21) Atletico Madrid {FW, WG} [Venezuela]
3. Micah Burton, 2006**(20), Austin FC {FW, 10, WG}
4. Julian Hall, 2008**(18) New York Red Bulls {FW, WG}
   
5. Bryce Jamison, 2006**(19) Orlando City SC {WG, FW}
6. Nelson Pierre, 2005**(21) Philadelphia Union {FW}
7. Caden Glover, 2007**(18) Saint Louis City FC {FW}
8. Marcos Zambrano, 2005**(21) Benfica {FW, WG}
9. Mateo Bunbury, 2005**(21) Sporting Kansas City {FW, WG}
10. Axel Kei, 2007**(18) Real Monarchs {FW, WG} [Ivory Coast]
11. Ezekiel Soto, 2007**(19), Houston Dynamo {FW, WG}
12. Nighte Pickering, 2005**(21) Memphis 901 SC {FW}
13. Adem Sipic, 2006**(20) Nashville SC {FW} [Bosnia]

Unrated:

• Sal Olivas, 2006**(19) Philadelphia Union {FW} [Mexico]
• Anisse Saidi, 2008**(18) Philadelphia Union {FW}
• Da’vian Kimbrough, 2010***(16) Sacramento Republic {FW} [Mexico]

Note: All ages are set for June 1, 2026.


Projected best 23 man roster:
GK Diego Kochen, Adam Beaudry, Gavin Beavers (Ferree)
RB Reed Baker-Whiting, Aiden Harangi (Verhoeven)
CB Josh Wynder, Tyler Hall (Banks)
CB Matai Akinmboni, Noah Cobb (Hawkins)
LB Nolan Norris, Manu Romero (McFarlane)
MF Obed Vargas, Miguel Perez (Gill)
MF Pedro Soma, Cruz Medina (Corcoran)
RM Esmir Bajraktarevic, Nimfasha Berchimas (Ngoma)
AM Ben Cremaschi, Niko Tsakiris (Morales)
LM Kristian Fletcher, Cavan Sullivan (Burton)
FW Keyrol Figueroa, Rodrigo Neri (Hall)

——————Keyrol——————-
Fletcher——-Benji————Esmir
————Pedro——Vargas————
Norris———————————RBW
————Wynder——Matai————
———————Kochen—————-

 

Good work,

But the U-20 World Cup roster size is 21 (including 3 goalkeepers), not 23

 

Only comment is Cavan Sullivan is too young to play in the tournament. He doesn’t meet the minimum age.

 

I didn’t realize there was a min age.

 

You have to be at least 16 by the end of the calendar year in which the tournament is played. There is a minimum age for the U17 tournament as well.

It didn’t always exist (see Freddy Adu), but it kept Cavan Sullivan out of this U17 tournament and it’ll keep him out of the next U20 tournament.

There is no minimum age for the Olympics or senior team however.

 

well that simplifies the “should Cavan play in the Gold Cup or U-20 World Cup in 2025” discourse

 

Cremaschi out for 2-3 months after surgery for a sports hernia