Jack Kortkamp (Sporting Kansas City), Aidan Stokes (New York Red Bulls)

Not a lot to say here; these are the two top keepers from this class.

RB, Juan Gio Villa (RSL), RB Oliver Tan (Without Club), LB Pedro Guimaraes (Orange County)

Villa serves as the swing-back that can play on both the left and the right and has consistently been the top right-back in the 2008 class within the United States. Oliver Tan is more of a winger than a full-back right now, but he can play right-back and provide a lot of attacking value from that position. Pedro Guimaraes has been the preferred left-back for this team. Left-back is one of the weaker positions in this class, potentially the weakest, but Guimaraes is solid. 

Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire), Adrian Sanders (LAFC), Enrique Martinez (LA Galaxy)

Cupps and Sanders have been consistent selections for this group but Martinez has been bouncing between Mexico and the United States lately. The Mexican 2008 team is also getting together this window, so Martinez either selected the United States over Mexico or was not selected by Mexico this time around. 
‍
I am slightly worried about the physicality of this group considering they will be playing teams a year older. There were other center-back options that would have been more equipped to play against more physical competition.

DM, Jude Terry (LAFC), DM, Landon Emenalo (Chelsea), CM, Alexander Smith (Rangers), CM, Luca Moisa (RSL)
‍
Landon Emenalo and Alexander Smith are two players that I have seen very little of and I am very excited to see what they bring to the table. Emenalo is a big, left-footed, defensive-mid that can control the rhythm of play. Smith is a more attacking player. Smith has been a consistent captain for the Scotland 2008 team, so it’s a little surprising he accepted this invitation, he has not been with the United States for a couple of years. 
‍
Jude Terry and Luca Moisa are regulars with this team. Terry is hands down the top midfielder in this class and he can play as a 6 or an 8. He has the most natural box to box ability in this class. Moisa can do a job defensively and has some final third chops as well. This should be a fun group to evaluate. 

AM, Maximo Carrizo (NYCFC), AM, Jack Mize (Borussia Dortmund), AM Cavan Sullivan (2009/Philadelphia Union) WING, Mathis Albert (2009/Borussia Dortmund), WING, Vitaliy Hlyut (Chicago Fire), WING, Chance Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), WING, Lorenzo Cornelius (St. Louis City)

This is a really fun attacking group. Sullivan and Carrizo are two of the biggest names in “youth” soccer in the United States and they have never played together, so this should be a treat. Carrizo will likely play as an inverted winger or as an attacking midfielder and Sullivan might play more of a box to box role. 

This will also be the first time I get an extended look at Jack Mize. Mize is a former New York Red Bulls academy player that moved to Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago and has reportedly had a lot of success. He can play all four attacking positions, but is most comfortable as a 10. He will be joined by Borussia Dortmund U17 teammate, Mathis Albert. Albert is the second 2009 class player on the roster, alongside Sullivan. Albert moved to Dortmund from LA Galaxy late last spring. 

Cornelius, Cowell and Hlyut round out the rest of the 10s and wingers. Cornelius is a player that I have admired for some time and I think his selection is deserved. He is a quick, creative, left-footed winger that can also tuck in and make plays centrally. Cowell is similar to his older brother, Cade, he is physically dominant and can cause a lot of problems running vertically behind defenses. Hlyut is a technical and direct winger that is clever on the ball. 

Chase Adams (Columbus Crew)

Adams is the only true number 9 on the roster. This has been a common design by Segares for this group. Adams has continued to show great improvement the last couple of years. He can do a lot of valuable things up top. He can hold up play, link up play and he can turn and face defenders and attack off the trouble. He also has a good feel for making plays in the final third. 

Adams cannot play all of the striker minutes, so I expect Mize, Cowell and Hlyut to deputize there at times.

This is a really strong squad, but it has the potential to be even stronger. Here is a list of players that I believe could raise the potential of this group: 

Okoduwa is currently with England’s U16 team. I am sure the United States have been in contact with Okoduwa, and much like they have done with other top English-American prospects in the past, will push for opportunities to bring him into the project. 

I have believed for the last couple of years that Griffin is the highest ceiling left-back in this class. He may not be as reliable or consistent as Guimaraes, but he may eventually take his place on this team.

James is my top rated center-back in this class and I am pretty disappointed to not see him at this tournament against top competition. 

Hamouda is my second rated center-back in this class and I rate him pretty evenly with James. He is another that I think should be here. He is playing pretty consistently for Birmingham Legion, so it’s possible that he was not released. 

Mehmeti is the captain of the United States 2009 team, but I think he is ready for a level up within the USYNT system. Terry is locked in with this group and perhaps the United States really likes Emenalo, so they don’t see a need to move Mehmeti up at this time.They may not be able to hold Mehmeti back for long, he is a very exciting talent. 

Oliveira is one of the top midfield prospects in this class and  can play all three midfield positions. I think he has just returned from being out with an injury for quite a while, so it’s likely that New England and USSF decided to have him skip this camp. 

Spivey is another 2009 that I believe is ready to take the next step up. Spivey is a true box to box midfielder with a physical profile that can comfortably play up an age group. Spivey is a dynamic talent that would add a lot to this group. 

Berchimas is the only age eligible player that has advanced beyond this age group after solidifying himself with the United States U20 team. 

Hall was likely not released for this camp because he is widely considered as one of the best prospects from this age group. There are many that think he is just as good of a prospect as Berchimas, possibly better. 

Johnson has been a consistent pick for this group, so it’s surprising to not see him here. 

Staff is the top striker for the German 2008 team and while I am sure the United States would love to have him, he seems very committed to the German project at this point. 

The United States has been in contact with Jones and has invited him to past camps, but he will be with the Netherlands for this window. 

Rosborough has been on a nice goal scoring streak for New York Red Bulls II and has been a consistent pick for Segares, but he was not selected for this tournament. 

This is a really talented and excited group of players and there are not too many things to nitpick. My biggest concern is with the center-back group. I was very critical of Segares’ center-back selections from the last U17 cycle and he is starting to show a similar pattern — not placing enough value on the physical demands of the position. James and Hamouda are two of the most puzzling omissions, otherwise I think a lot of the top missing players are likely due to fitness, club decisions or International preference.