Jack Kortkamp (Sporting KC), Owen Pratt (LA Galaxy), Luxa Maxim (Orlando City)

Kortkamp is my top rated keeper from this class and Pratt and Maxim are solid options. The two other big names are Aidan Stokes, who has been featuring for Wales as of late, and William Mackay who was on the U15 team that won the Concacaf Championships. I was told that Aidan Stokes was invited, but not released by New York Red Bulls.

LB Pedro Guimaraes (LAFC), Emiliano Chavez (St. Louis), RB, Juan Gio Villa (RSL), RB Oliver Tan (Without Club)

Guimaraes and Villa are regulars with this group and the most likely starters at full-back at this time. Chavez is an interesting selection. He is a technical left-back that combines well in the attack. Olly Tan is somewhat of a surprise because he has been out of the picture for a little bit. He was a guest player for his old club, San Jose Earthquakes, and had a very positive tournament, including a hat-trick. Tan is an athletic, attack minded full-back that can also play as a winger.

Ian James (Sporting KC), Sebastian Chavez (RBNY), Camron Estala (RSL), Maximo Armando (IMCF)

James is my favorite selection on this roster. He has really improved his game and I think he has as high of a ceiling as any center-back in the 2008 class — I expect him to make an impact on this age group. Chavez and Estala have both been in camp before and are solid players. Armando is a new name for me. He primarily plays for Inter Miami's U16 team. I need to do some film study on him and get more familiar with his game.

DM, Evan Lim (NYCFC), DM, Matteo Zambrano (IMCF), CM, Cristiano Oliveira (New England Revolution), CM, Luca Moisa (RSL)
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Oliveira is the top player from this position group and one of the top players in camp. I think he is the second best midfield prospect in this age group right now behind Jude Terry. He can play as a six, eight or ten. Moisa is a regular with this team. Lim and Zambrano are new to the USYNT. Matteo Zambrano is the brother of former Philadelphia Union academy and USYNT striker, Marcos Zambrano.

AM, Jack Mize (Borussia Dortmund), AM, Axel Uriostoegui (RSL),  W, Jamir Johnson (Philadelphia Union), LW, Mathis Albert (2009) RW, Vitaliy Hlyut (Chicago Fire),  RW, Tanner Rosborough (RBNY), RW, Chance Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), LW, Sergio Perello (IMCF)

Johnson, Rosborough and Uriostoegui are regulars with this group and Johnson is coming off an exceptional GA Cup. Mize is a player that has been talked about a lot, I've seen some impressive highlights from his time at Dortmund. The former RBNY academy player has been tough to track since moving to Germany, but it's great to see him get a chance to impress in person. Albert is the only 2009 born player in this camp and an elite winger prospect. Cowell has been primarily with Mexico to date, so it's good to see him take an opportunity to see what it's like in a U.S. camp. Hlyut caught my eye at the U15 level last year, but I haven't studied him closely this year — Chicago seem to really like him. Perello is a player that I've always been intrigued by. He is quick and super tricky on the ball and I think he has been one of Inter Miami's best players at the U17 level — he might have some staying power.

N/A

There are no true center-forwards on this roster! Rosborough is the closest thing to a striker, but is probably more of a second striker than anything else. U.S. Soccer invited Austyn Jones from PSV, but he was unable to attend this time around.

At this age group, the main reason for players missing from camps are because they are not selected or they are injured. For domestic camps, players at academies abroad are usually not asked to attend or are not released by their club. International players are usually brought in when there are tournaments or competitive games to be played.

W, Nimfasha Berchimas, Charlotte FC
Berchimas is being looked at for the upcoming U20 cycle.

DM, Decarlo Guerra, LAFC (Guatemala)

CF, Austyn Jones (PSV)
Declined because of school commitments and priorities, not because he isn't interested. I expect Jones to take part in a future USYNT camp.

The following players have been top performers for this age group to date. These players were most likely left off the roster to allow them to focus on MLS Next Pro and to give other players an opportunity.

AM, Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union/2009), CB, Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire), DM, Jude Terry (LAFC), AM, Maximo Carrizo (NYCFC), LW, Julian Hall (RBNY), LW, Omar Marquez (RSL), CF, Chase Adams (Columbus Crew), CB, Adrian Sanders (LAFC)

I was also told that Aidan Stokes (GK/RBNY) was invited, but not released.

CB, Jaydus Camacho (Charlotte FC)

GK, William Mackay (RSL)
It's possible that USSF is worried that he hasn't grown much since his U15 season.
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LB, Jordan Griffin (Philadelphia Union)
I think Griffin is the most talented LB in this class and he played very well at the GA Cup for a Philadelphia U17 team that won it all. He has not yet been given an opportunity by USSF and I am struggling to understand what they are missing.
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LB, Miguel Alvarado (Colorado Rapids)
He has been a regular for this group, though I am not convinced he should be. Was he not selected or did USSF not feel like he needed to be in this camp?
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RB, Reginald Gainer (D.C. United)
Gainer is an under rated prospect that moved from RW to RB this year and I think that move has been very good for him. In my opinion he is one of the better RB prospects in this class.
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CB, Ramiz Hamouda (Birmingham Legion)
Hamouda moved from Sporting KC to Birmingham recently and has been on the bench for the last four matches. He was a key player for the U15 Concacaf Championship team.
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DM, Isaiah Kaakoush (Phoenix Rising)
Was with the U15 team at times last year, but hasn't been with the group for some time.
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DM, Peter Doran (Philadelphia Union)
He might fall into the category of player that is getting this camp off for some others to get a look.
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DM, Landon Emenalo (Chelsea)
Was likely not able to travel for a team camp, but could still be in the picture for International or competitive games.
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CM, Isaac Tortola (Columbus Crew)
He also might fall into the category of player that is getting this camp off for some others to get a look.
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CM, Gil de Souza (RBNY)
de Souza is a very talented player that does not seem to be rated by USSF for some reason.
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CM, Cooper Sanchez (Atlanta United)
Sanchez is another talented midfielder that I would have really liked to see in this camp.
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CM, Liam Lambert (LAFC)
Lambert has been in and out of this group for the last year or two.
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AM, Leo Gitau (Houston Rangers)
Gitau was once considered a top prospect from this age group. That level of talent is still there, but USSF hasn't selected him since he left Houston Dynamo.
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LW, Cristiano Carlos (New England Revolution)
I've always been a massive fan of his game. He has been injured a lot this year, but could work his way back into the mix.
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CF, Alexander Staff (Frankfurt)
Staff was either not released, not asked to join or does not currently have interest in exploring U.S. Soccer at this time.
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CF, Anisse Saidi (Philadelphia Union)
Saidi was either not selected or left off to give others a look.
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CF, Zidane Yanez (NYCFC)
Yanez was either not selected or left off to give others a look.

I would have made some different selections in terms of which players to get a first look at, but that is pretty common for player selections at this young of an age. Overall, this is a strong age group that should be very enjoyable to watch in International competitions. As we get closer to the big tournaments, we may see more and more players move up from the 2009 class, which is an even stronger age group.