Diego Kochen, FC Barcelona (2006), Julian Eyestone, Brentford (2006)

This is Kochen’s first time with the U-20s in quite a while, and I was beginning to wonder if his time with the squad was over. His release and participation in this camp suggest he still has a chance to be released for the U-20 World Cup roster.

Eyestone, who has the second-highest ceiling among U-20-eligible goalkeepers, is also competing for a spot on the final roster. As of now, he appears to have a slight edge over some of the other candidates.4o

Andrew Rick, Philadelphia Union (2006),  Adam Beaudry, Colorado Rapids (2006), Gavin Beavers, Real Salt Lake (2005) ⛑️

Rick and Beaudry are certainly still in contention, and Beavers could be a strong contender once he returns to full fitness.

RB, Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union), RB/CB, Ethan Kohler, Werder Bremen (2005), RB, Aiden Harangi, Eintracht Frankfurt (2006), LB, Nolan Norris, FC Dallas (2005)

Westfield is off to a strong start in MLS, starting all three matches and performing well. His hot start has earned him a spot on this roster and a valuable opportunity to secure a place in the U-20 World Cup squad. His versatility on both the left and right sides further strengthens his case.

Kohler has been a lock since the beginning of this U-20 cycle. A leader on the team, he brings significant positional flexibility, capable of playing right-back, center-back, and defensive midfield.

Harangi recently signed an extension with Eintracht Frankfurt and remains a key contender in the right-back competition for this group.

Norris, a team captain, is currently the first-choice left-back. He also offers versatility, with the ability to play center-back and midfield when needed.

RB, Leo Duru, Barrow FC (2005), RB/LB, Owen Presthus, Columbus Crew (2006), LB, Luca Bombino, San Diego FC (2006), RB/LB, Reed Baker-Whiting, Seattle Sounders ⛑️, LB, Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (2007) ⛑️

Duru is one of the most surprising omissions. He recently returned from a short-term injury with his loan club, Barrow FC, and even scored his first professional goal. In my view, he is the top right-back option, and it would be surprising if he were left out purely due to a coaching decision.

Presthus, who was in the last U-20 camp, misses out this time, likely due to Westfield’s emergence. With only one true left-back called in, Luca Bombino was left out.

Baker-Whiting and Miller remain top options, but both are still recovering from injuries that have sidelined them at the start of the 2025 MLS season.

Josh Wynder, Benfica (2005), Noah Cobb, Atlanta United (2005), Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg (2006), Matai Akinmboni, Bournemouth (2006)

This center-back group is about as strong as it gets for this age level. Wynder, Banks, and Akinmboni all have USMNT potential, with Banks even drawing senior team consideration after earning minutes for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Wynder has been called into multiple camps this cycle but has yet to feature for various reasons. Akinmboni recently moved to Premier League club Bournemouth, where he has made several matchday squads but has yet to debut, currently playing for the U-21 team.

Cobb is the only player still likely fighting for a spot on the final roster.

Drew Murray, Freiburg (2005), Grayson Dettoni, Grasshoppers (2005), Stuart Hawkins, Seattle Sounders (2006), Freddie Anderson, Stoke City (2006), Elijah Scott, Lecce (2006)

If Wynder, Banks, and Akinmboni are available for the World Cup, there may not be any remaining roster spots for the rest of the center-back group. If a spot does open up, Noah Cobb and the other players listed above will likely be competing for the final place—or possibly multiple spots—depending on availability.

DM, Pedro Soma, FC Barcelona (2006), DM, Matthew Corcoran, Nashville SC (2006), CM, Benjamin Cremaschi, Inter Miami (2005), CM, Brooklyn Raines, Houston Dynamo (2005), CM, Taha Habroune, Columbus Crew (2006)

This is the midfield A-squad, a strong group with a dynamic mix of skill sets and profiles. Mitrović would love to have all of these players available for the World Cup.

CM, Sergio Oregel Jr, Chicago Fire (2005)

Chicago Fire are in the middle of an injury crisis, so even if Oregel was selected, he likely would not have been released by his club.

AM, Niko Tsakiris, San Jose Earthquakes (2005), AM, Ruben Ramos, LA Galaxy (2007), W, Kristian Fletcher, Nottingham Forest (2005), W, Luke Brennan, Atlanta United (2005), W, Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (2007)

Tsakiris and Fletcher are both locks if they’re available for the World Cup. Ramos seems to be a lock as well, though I’m not entirely sold on that assessment. He’s had a tough time with his early opportunities in MLS, and I still don’t see a natural position for him. However, the staff clearly values him, and he offers versatility across all four attacking positions.
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Brennan is competing for one of the final wing spots, as is Zavier Gozo. Gozo struggled during the U-20 Qualifiers, and I’m concerned that he might not be clean enough on the ball to be effective in a tournament like the U-20 World Cup.

AM, Paulo Rudisill, Feyenoord (2006), AM, Cruz Medina, San Jose Earthquakes (2006), AM, David Vazquez, Philadelphia Union (2006), AM, CJ Olney, Philadelphia Union (2006), AM/W, Ty Barnett, Wolves (2005), W, Tarik Scott, FC Dallas (2005), W, Bryce Jamison, Orange County (2006), W, Cole Campbell, Borussia Dortmund (2006) ⛑️

The only player on this list I consider a lock, if available, is Cole Campbell, who recently picked up an injury while playing for Dortmund's second team. Rudisill, Medina, Vazquez, and Olney have all been in and out of U-20 and U-19 squads and remain in the mix for a final spot.

Barnett is a new dual-national addition, playing for Wolves' U-21 team. After doing some research, he appears to be a dynamic, technical, and creative attacking player, though he lacks final third production. He could be a player Mitrovic looks at before the U-20 World Cup. With winger depth being thin, Barnett offers something different in that position.

Scott continues to be overlooked, despite my belief that he could be a valuable addition to this group. Jamison missed the first matchday for Orange County, so he may be dealing with an injury. If he performs well in USL, he might still have a chance to make the roster later on.

Marcos Zambrano, Vitoria Guimaraes (2005), Keyrol Figueroa, Liverpool (2006)

Zambrano is back after a few camps missed. It seems that he may have been dealing with an injury because he wasn't playing for his club either. Figueroa has been the consistent figure in the striker group for this team. These two seem to have the edge over the rest of the players available.

Aidan Dausch, St. Albans City (2006)

Dausch looks to be the odd man out right now.

RB, Leo Duru, Barrow FC (2005), AM, CJ Olney (Philadelphia Union), W, Tarik Scott (FC Dallas)

If Duru were available, I believe he’d be a much stronger option than some of the right-back selections. I would prefer Olney over Ramos, as I think he’s the more polished and effective player at this stage of his career, and his role would be much clearer in Mitrovic’s system.

Scott continues to be overlooked, but I believe he deserves an opportunity. In this camp, I’d see him being selected over Ramos or Brennan.

None

There are not any players receiving their first USYNT camp, which isn't uncommon for an older age group.

This roster has a fantastic balance of positions, skill sets, and profiles. The only minor issue is the inclusion of three right-footed full-backs and just one left-footed full-back, rather than having a more balanced distribution of two on each side. Other than that, it’s a very well-constructed roster.

This is a great roster, and aside from Campbell being injured and potentially Duru not being released, this is what an ideal U-20 team for the United States looks like. Mitrovic appears to have a strong grasp of his player pool and a clear understanding of how to design a well-balanced squad.