The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team begins play on Monday at the World Cup in Chile.

Games against New Caledonia, France and South Africa are on the schedule as the U20 team steps back onto the global stage.

A 21-player roster summoned by Marko Mitrović is a blend of domestic and European-based talent, with 16 hailing from Major League Soccer.

Strengths

The selection process for any youth World Cup can be challenging. Club teams aren’t required to release players, leaving the coaching staff plenty of political work.

That said, Mitrović has done a solid job of bringing together a roster that should be competitive against the best opposition. There is a good balance in the three lines, and the midfield can pressure and play with some of the best of them. 

There’s energy and danger on the flanks, which should be manned by a rotation of Peyton Miller, Zavier Gozo, Cole Campbell and Luke Brennan. Chance creation is likely to flow through those corners of the pitch. Benja Cremaschi will be a key player with his two-way actions on both sides of the ball.

Weaknesses

While few national team pools are teeming with No. 9s, this roster has just one in the form of Marcos Zambrano. There’s every reason to believe that the team could be training with someone like Campbell or Gozo to play there as well, though it will be interesting to see how things are deployed in the middle of the pitch.

At the back, the outside backs offer plenty, both in their defensive actions and adding to the attack. However, without Noahki Banks and Matai Akimnboni, the central defenders don’t offer the most robust physicality. Noah Cobb, Joshua Wynder, Ethan Kohler and Nolan Norris bring plenty of quality and should be able to compensate for that.

Any Shot at 2026?

Given that the main objective of a youth national team is to identify and prepare players for a full national team, it’s worth asking the question: can anyone from this group make a case for next year’s World Cup on home soil? 

A couple of players on the roster have experience with the full team. Diego Kochen, a goalkeeper on the books with Barcelona, was called up last September by Mauricio Poettchitino. Benjamin Cremaschi has three full appearances with the U.S. team. That duo is the most likely to build a case, as Kochen could slot in as the third goalkeeper. However, given the uncertainty around the position and if there remains a question about a clear No. 1, a more proven option could end up getting that spot.

Cremaschi recently moved abroad to Parma in Italy. Cracking the national team in central midfield is far from easy, though given his experience and pedigree, is a candidate to make his case.

Looking from outside that immediate duo, Peyton Miller is a name to watch out for. Not yet 18, that would certainly be quite the leap for the forward/defender. That versatility is what could land him a spot if he starts off the 2026 MLS season off on a heater. Regardless, this is a big platform for him in case he is looking to make the jump to Europe.

Potential Breakouts

Miller is a name who could emerge as a name to U.S. fans who haven’t paid particular attention to the Revolution youngster. He’s far from the only one, though it is most likely for the goal-scoring candidates to earn the headlines. 

Zavier Gozo is another 2007 on the roster, a dynamic winger who needs to establish a clear position for himself in order to really carve out a spot at a high level. He’s started to open up some eyes this year in MLS for Real Salt Lake and can use this as an opportunity to showcase his quality at an international competition. 

Climbing the ladder at Borussia Dortmund – yet just outside of the first team – Cole Campbell can use this as a chance to compete in front of a global audience with scouts and teams paying close attention. The United States will need both him and Gozo to score or create goals in order to give his team a chance of progressing deep in the tournament.

Loaned out to San Diego FC from LAFC, Luca Bombino has been a consistent and reliable option for the expansion side, logging more than 2,000 minutes in MLS this season. He’ll look to win the starting left back role and translate MLS success to a youth tournament.

Last but not least, Wynder is something of a mystery, working to break through at Benfica in Portugal. Listed at 6-foot-1, the tournament will be a snap shot into his progression with the club.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Rocky Mountain High School Roundup - Sept.

Women's D2, D3, NAIA Weekly Recap

Pacific NW High School Roundup - Sept.