When the U.S. U18 Men’s National Team 18-man roster for the Milk Cup commences, the squad will have a distinctly professional flair.

Four players on coach Mike Matkovich’s team are currently playing overseas for professional clubs and will arrive with the experience of pursuing their pro dreams.

Goalkeeper Cody Cropper, of Ipswich Town, Will Packwood of Birmingham City in England, Jerome Kiesewetter of Hertha Berlin in Germany and Juan Pablo Ocegueda of Tigres in Mexico are all making the trip.

It should make for an interesting dynamic when the competition kicks off in Northern Ireland from July 21-30.

“Playing all over Mexico and learning from professional coaches and players along the way has been amazing,” said Ocegueda, who is currently playing for his club’s U20 reserve squad as he tries to crack the first team.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all of my teammates again at the Milk Cup and hopefully becoming more united – getting to know how they play and doing well.”

Ocegueda is a former attacker who now plays defender and is still adjusting to his responsibilities.

He will join a great group as the U.S. tries to defend its Milk Cup title from 2010.

U.S. U18 MNT Milk Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town; Athens, Ga.), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City; Leawood, Kans.)

DEFENDERS (8): Michael Ambrose (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Bryan Gallego (New York Red Bulls; Kinnelon, N.J.), Jordan McCrary (North Carolina; Marietta, Ga.), Juan Pablo Ocegueda (UANL Tigres; Riverside, Calif.), Boyd Okwuonu (FC Dallas; Edmund,Okla.), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United; Cantonsville, Md.), Javan Torre (Pateadores; Santa Monica, Calif.), Walker Zimmerman (Furman University; Lawrenceville, Ga.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake; Garden Grove, Calif.), William Packwood (Birmingham City; Concord, Mass.), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bollingbrook, Ill.), Marcus Salandy-Defour (D.C. United; Kensington, Md.), Alex Shinsky (Maryland; York, Penn.)

FORWARDS (3): Jerome Kiesewetter (Hertha BSC; Berlin, Germany), Luis Rendon (FC Richmond Magic; Chesterfield, Va.), Omar Salgado (Vancouver Whitecaps; El Paso, Tex.).