DALLAS — United States players, coaches and staff talk about “cycles,” as in the cycle of qualifying and subsequent world championships, like the FIFA Under-20 World Cup set for next year in New Zealand.
So the cycle for this U20 version gained speed this week during five revealing matches in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup. We know far more now about the personnel and tactics U20 manager Tab Ramos will have for maneuvering and tinkering over the coming months. More importantly, Ramos knows more.
Start with the obvious, which is that Rubio Rubin established himself as the team’s top man, and not just for his team-high four goals during the tournament. The Oregon native and recent FC Utrecht signing checks all the boxes: he works hard, seems utterly indefatigable, is strong on the ball, has speed to get by defenders, tracks back faithfully and owns plenty of technical ability on the pass, cross or finish. He mostly played wide right for Ramos, sometimes in midfield and sometimes as a wing, but the U.S. manager says Rubin’s best position is probably striker.
