USA announces fitness camp roster ahead of U-20 World Cup qualifying

The United States U-20s will gather for a fitness camp from December 3-10 in Bradenton, FL. But not all of the team. Only 10 players will be there because the camp is only for players whose clubs are out of season so they can stay in shape for the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in January, which will also serve as qualifying for the 2015 U-20 World Cup.

Of the 10 players called in, eight play for MLS clubs. One other is in college, while the final player does not have a club right now. With qualifying set for January, the U.S. needs all of the players to be fit throughout the winter, which means MLS and college players need to train in December.

"It’s finally getting down to that time where we have to focus on the final stages of World Cup qualifying," Ramos said to USSoccer.com. "At this point, because the MLS season has ended for a lot of teams, we needed to bring the players who are not continuing to train with their teams and do a fitness camp. Some of the players have been off, and we want to have them catch up a little bit with the guys that we have in Europe."

All of these players are clearly in the mix to make the qualifying team. Keep in mind that players who feature for their club teams may not be released for qualifying, so the U.S. may go into it without someone like Rubio Rubin or even Emerson Hyndman. That makes depth important, and it partly why some of these players are being kept in shape.

Goalkeepers: None

Defenders: Conor Donovan (North Carolina State; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (Unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC; West Haven, Conn.)

Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Marco Delgado (Toronto FC; Glendora, Calif.), Romain Gall (Columbus Crew; Herndon, Va.)

Forwards: Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union; Dresher, Pa.), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes; Loomis, Calif.)