Editor's note: This Fanpost of the Week does a great job of highlighting the United States U-20 internationals that fans should know about.
American soccer fans know all about Christian Pulisic, the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger who was named 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after having a hand in ten goals in nine matches with the national team last year.
But what about the other promising young Americans who are turning heads on the pitch? Here are twenty under-20 players that U.S. Soccer fans should be following:
1. Timothy Weah: 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward
Weah, the son of 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah, has been in the 18 in each of PSG’s last three matches. He’s made two appearances and has played 30 minutes, earning two near-scoring chances. Weah scored a hat trick for the US in a 5-0 win over Paraguay in the U17 World Cup last year and it’s likely only a matter of time before he gets on the scoresheet for PSG.
McKennie has appeared in ten matches with Schalke this season, playing 837 minutes. He can play several positions and his versatility has drawn praise from Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco. McKennie scored the USMNT’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Portugal last fall and he figures to be a key member of the national team going forward.
Carleton made a brief debut for ATLUD last week and he’s poised to get more playing time as the season goes on. MLS is notorious for not playing young talents are much as it should, but Carleton’s talent is undeniable. He’s played mostly as a left wing to this point in his career but he also has the ability to play as a center attacking mid for club and country.
Sargent is not eligible to play in Bundesliga matches until next season because of his age, but he will be allowed to play in club friendlies in the meantime. He scored five goals for the US in the U-17 World Cup and two goals in the U-20 World Cup last year and has continued scoring in practice for Werder Bremen.
5. Timothy Tillman: 19-year-old Bayern Munich attacking midfielder
Tillman is currently playing for Bayern’s second team, but he has appeared in two friendlies with the senior team this year. Eligible to play for both the United States and Germany, Tillman recently accepted a call up to play for Germany’s U-19 squad. The U.S. needs to step up their recruiting of Tillman if they want to avoid another Jonathan González situation.
Adams has emerged as a regular starter for the Red Bulls, appearing in 26 matches last season. He earned a call up to the national team last year and went a full 90 in a 1-1 draw against Portugal. Like McKennie, Adams has the potential to part of the USMNT’s midfield for years to come.
7. Taylor Booth: 16-year-old Real Salt Lake center midfielder
Booth currently plays for RSL’s Zions Bank Real Academy, but he is being courted by Bayern Munich. The young American drawing attention from one of the biggest clubs in the world should tell U.S. Soccer fans everything they need to know about him.
8. Jonathan Amon: 18-year old FC Nordsjaelland left winger
Amon has scored five goals in eight U-19 appearances and one goal in six senior team appearances for Nordsjaelland this season. He’s one of several promising left attacking players that could soon contribute to the national team.
Hawkins has appeared in seventeen matches for Bayern’s U-17 team this season, scoring two goals in those competitions. He’s probably not going to be a national team candidate anytime soon, but Hawkins is on the right path.
10. Konrad de la Fuente: 16-year-old Barcelona striker
Whoa, kid! Playing for Barca's Juvenil B side is an impressive accomplishment for the young American. Check out these highlights from one of his performances in February (he’s No. 11). He’s certainly a prospect to watch going forward.
11. Joshua Pynadath: 16-year-old AFC Ajax left winger
12. Shaft Brewer: 18-year-old RB Leipzig left winger
13. Justin Butler: 16-year-old Bayern Munich forward
Yet another young American playing for one of Bayern’s youth squads, Butler has appeared in fifteen matches and scored five goals in the German club’s U-17 side.
14. Indiana Vassilev: 17-year-old Aston Villa midfielder
Vassilev has appeared in five U-18 Premier League matches this season but is yet to get on the scoresheet. He’s worth keeping an eye on for the future.
15. Nick Taitague: 19-year-old Schalke 04 attacking midfielder
Another young American in the Bundesliga, Taitague has appeared in sixteen matches and has notched four goals and five assists for Schalke’s U-19 squad this season.
Will is the son of Dr. Peter Vint, the former academy director for Everton. Despite his father’s connection to Everton, the younger Vint chose to suit up for the Red Devil’s academy.
17. Malik Tillman: 15-year-old Bayern Munich central midfielder
Timothy Tillman’s younger brother, Malik also plays for one of Bayern’s youth sides. He has totaled two goals and two assists in sixteen appearances for Barca’s U-17 squad.
18. Giovanni Reyna: 15-year-old New York City FC striker
19. Lawson Sunderland: 16-year-old Levante UD midfielder
After spending time with the Chicago Fire's academy, Sunderland spent time with the Portland Timbers’ academy, scoring three goals during the 2016-17 season. He now plays for Levante’s academy in Spain.
20. Dantouma Toure: 14-year-old Players Development Academy forward
Appearing in twelve PDA matches this season, Toure has scored seven goals.
Notable young(ish) players over 20 not included on the list include DeAndre Yedlin (24), John Brooks (24), Kenny Saief (24), Matt Miazga (22), Paul Arriola (22), Kellyn Acosta (22), Zack Steffen (22), Jordan Siebatcheu (21), Andrija Novakovich (21), Shaquell Moore (21), Keaton Parks (20), Matthew Olosunde (20) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (20).
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