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Welcome back to the USMNT Weekly Youth Update! Let’s take a look back at some developments in the young U.S. player pool over the past week. By reader request, here’s a breakdown of which birth years are eligible for which youth national teams and tournaments:
- 1999 and younger: eligible for “age-based” U-23 team (this is not something U.S. Soccer does, but I advocate for it)
- 2001 and younger: eligible for 2024 Paris Olympics (U.S. U-23 team, actually age 21 and below in 2022)
- 2003 and younger: eligible for 2022 Concacaf Championship, 2023 U-20 World Cup
- 2006 and younger: eligible for 2023 U-17 World Cup
Austria
Uly Llanez (W, 2001) scored and assisted in St. Pölten’s 4-1 win over Kapfenberg in Austria’s second tier.
Ulysses Llanez ⚽ #LoanWatchWOB pic.twitter.com/TT6ZiZym1V
— LoanWatchWOB (@LoanWatchWob) May 2, 2022
Belgium
Caden Clark (AM, 2003) is unhappy with his lack of playing time with Red Bulls (on loan from Leipzig), and is looking to terminate that loan. Brugge is one of the European clubs who have the youngster on their radar.
Jorge Hernandez (AM, 2000) has left Ukrainian side Chornomorets, signing with Mechelen in Belgium’s top tier on a free transfer. The young Mexican-American was one of the top goal contributors in USL during his time with the Galaxy’s reserve side Los Dos.
Canada
Osaze De Rosario (ST, 2001) has scored in three straight games in Canada’s Premier League.
Osaze DeRosario, 3 goals in 3 games for York United. The younger DeRo (born in San Jose while his dad played for the Quakes) is off to a terrific start in the Canadian Premier League after leaving the Ukrainian Premier League days before the invasion pic.twitter.com/FulL9bq9vr
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) April 30, 2022
Croatia
Markie Hrvojević (age 17) made his first-team debut for Hajduk Split in Croatia’s top tier (the same club that features 2004 CM Rokas Pukstas).
Denmark
Jose Gallegos (AM, 2001) picked up a hockey assist vs Vejle BK, and won the fan vote for Man of the Match vs Odense.
Gallegos ➡️ Frederiksen ➡️ Gallegos ➡️ Christiansen ➡️ Kornvig ➡️ ⚽️#sldk | #rundensmål pic.twitter.com/V8wuCtdVKF
— 3F Superliga (@Superligaen) May 4, 2022
England
Gaga Slonina (GK, 2004) appears close to finding a landing spot in Europe. Multiple sources reported he had agreed personal terms with a top English club, and Fabrizio Romano claims he is “close to making his decision”, with Chelsea among the clubs named.
Alex Mighten (W, 2002) scored a fantastic individual goal as Nottingham Forest pasted Swansea 5-1 (goal comes at 11:50 in the video below). Mighten “almost made it” into USMNT camp a few months ago, before suffering an injury.
France
Axel Perez (AM, 2007) has left the Inter Miami academy to join Lyon in France. Perez is highly-rated, and the move was confirmed on a recent YNT roster release.
Germany
Munich - Malik Tillman (AM, 2002) scored a goal as Bayern II smacked Rosenheim 8-1 in the German fourth tier. The Germany U-21 player is rumored to join a USMNT camp this summer, after a report Gregg Berhalter was looking to bring in a young dual-national.
Rumors floating around that 19-year-old Bayern Munich & Germany U21 forward Malik Tillman is the dual-national that Gregg Berhalter is set to call-up to the USMNT next month
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) May 5, 2022
He previously represented the U.S. at the U15 level. He's made 4 Bundesliga appearances this season. pic.twitter.com/03EIgAHZsU
Nuremberg - Bryang Kayo (CM, 2002) scored a goal for Nürnberg II in Germany’s fourth tier, where he is on loan from Wolfsburg.
Tor für Bryang Kayo pic.twitter.com/kQ2OTdeBaG
— mr. pinciotti (@mrPinciotti94) May 3, 2022
Italy
Venice - Patrick Leal (AM, 2003) traveled with Venezia’s first team for their match with Salernitana. He could be close to making his first-team debut.
Verona - Inigo Esmanech (GK, 2006) has joined Hellas Verona’s academy, leaving the Houston Dynamo setup.
Mexico
Alex Méndez (CM, 2000) was the subject of a report from TUDN, “the jewel that Mexico can take from the USMNT”.
A report saying Mexico would be “hosting a U.S. camp” with 2007s and 2008s, mostly from MLS clubs, has been confirmed by LAFC congratulating two U-16s for the callup, and Houston Dynamo naming four U-16s.
Cade Cowell (W, 2003) and younger brother Chance are in the process of obtaining Mexican citizenship.
Jorge Ruvalcaba (W, 2001) came off the bench for Pumas in their 0-3 loss to Seattle in the Concacaf Champions League final.
Netherlands
Alkmaar - Josh Pynadath (W, 2002) is on trial with Jong AZ, after leaving Chelsea. Unclear if he would be joining AZ’s first team or their reserves.
Rotterdam - Cole Bassett (CM, 2001) was close to some good moments for Feyenoord, with off-ball movement that wasn’t rewarded (below) and a through-ball that wasn’t finished off.
Made a good run here. Unfortunate to not get the ball squared to him for a one-time finish inside the 18. pic.twitter.com/H3gYQ48cgG
— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) May 1, 2022
Peru
Quembol Guadalupe (CB, 2004) was called up to U.S. U-20 camp, prompting Peruvian media to focus on the former Peru U-15: “It seems that Peru has lost interest in me”. The 18-year-old is in Orlando City’s academy setup.
Portugal
Bento Estrela (2006) is in the unique position of being a U.S.-eligible MLS Homegrown player who could suit up against the U.S., as he’s on Portugal’s U-17 roster in the same tournament as the U.S. U-17s.
Vizela - Alex Méndez scored a screamer vs Porto, and was named to the Team of the Week in Portugal.
Alex Mendez scored an absolute firecracker for Vizela today, currently 2-1 down to Porto at the start of the second half.pic.twitter.com/Vk18do2nx1
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) April 30, 2022
Sanjiv was kind enough to grab some more Méndez clips from the game.
Spain
Pedro Soma (DM, 2006) made his debut for Catalonia U-16 (a non-FIFA team). He maintains his U.S. eligibility, following in the footsteps of Adrian Gill and Konrad de la Fuente.
Bruno Klimek (GK, 2007) featured in similar action with the Baleares U-16s.
Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago called several young American dual-nationals to their U-20 camp.
Uruguay
Gonzalo Agustoni (AM, 2004) is the subject of some Uruguay-U.S.A. dual national tension, after the Orlando City B player was called into U.S. U-19 camp.
USA
The U.S. U-15s faced Italy in the semifinals, after topping their group in the Torneo delle Nazioni. At halftime, the U.S. trailed 0-2.
Here's some USA U15 BNT highlights from the first half vs Italy #USYNT pic.twitter.com/lmIW2xHrS9
— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) April 29, 2022
Gavin Turner (DC United) brought the U.S. within one with 10 minutes left to play, after a bad giveaway from the Italian keeper. The U.S. proceeded to give away a penalty kick, but it was saved by Zackory Campagnolo. The game would finish 2-1 to Italy.
USA U15 BNT highlights from the second half against Italy - Morales chance, Turner goal, PK save #USYNT #USMNT pic.twitter.com/vUQKUFwsZW
— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) April 29, 2022
A few more resources on the U-15 game vs Italy:
- U.S. starting XI
- Analysis from @ProspectsUSMNT (Twitter thread)
- Game report from J.R. Eskilson ($)
The U-15s went on to face Portugal in the third-place game. The only info the writer has found so far is that Nate Worth (Red Bulls) scored this banger of a free kick.
Nate Worth scored this free-kick for the Boys USA U15 match against Portugal pic.twitter.com/GObaGvXVs6
— OPSM Soccer (@OPSMSoccer) May 2, 2022
The U-17s were also in action, with a roster being released last Friday.
Another test for the #U17MYNT
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) April 29, 2022
The will take on top competition at a UEFA Development Tournament in Portugal, facing , & ⤵️https://t.co/SqTT1L1k02
Roster analysis came from Marcus Chairez and Travis Clark ($). The U-17s lost 0-1 to Portugal on Thursday, with the goal coming at 90+7’ in stoppage time. Marcus Chairez speculated about the starting XI based on a pregame photo, and USSF announced the next two matches in Portugal will be streamed on ussoccer.com.
@ProspectsUSMNT also has a thread questioning the roster construction of some of these youth national teams, especially why players are called in who are backups for their club teams. He also posted notes on individual standouts at the U-15 GA cup, and YNT-eligible players in USL.
Austin - We have some individual video of academy player Micah Burton (AM, 2006), who is in the current U-17 camp.
Micah Burton ( | 06) was highlighted as a top player going into the Adidas Cup and lived up to expectations. 1st touch definition, marvellous control in short spaces, one of those nº10s who makes the game revolve around his ability. Raw talent. @ChuckMe92Soccer pic.twitter.com/GhLFfBG4ec
— Vylela (@Vylela1) May 2, 2022
Boston - Damian Rivera (W, 2002) scored for New England with a nice strike early in the game.
Tico Rivera! The teenage homegrown forward from Rhode Island gives the Revs a 1-0 lead over Miami in the 2nd minute of the game pic.twitter.com/ptdtibpjhO
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) April 30, 2022
Charlotte - Tough news for Adam Armour (LB, 2002) who underwent ACL surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Chicago - MLS pundit Matt Doyle highlighted Gaga Slonina’s (GK, 2004) habit of flapping at crosses, while Joseph Lowery did a deep dive on Slonina’s strengths and areas to improve.
Slonina does this a lot. Like, a worrying amount of flapping. pic.twitter.com/IVBjE9jpxX
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) May 1, 2022
Dallas - Julian Eyestone (GK, 2006) is in first-team training with FC Dallas.
Denver - Darren Yapi (ST, 2004) registered a fine finish with Rapids 2 in MLS Next Pro, after Marcus Chairez wondered about his lack of involvement with the U-20s.
Here is the goal. Nice run, good first touch to cut the angle of the defender and a nice little toe-poke finish.
— Marcus Chai (@chai_asc) May 1, 2022
Source: @MLSNEXTPRO pic.twitter.com/E9NRZoqtuS
El Paso - Diego Luna (AM, 2003) scored a goal for El Paso in USL, and was the feature of an analysis piece from John Morrissey @USLTactics.
Diego Luna is gonna play a role with the U.S U-20 team this summer. He does make things happen pic.twitter.com/0w9WRSVuA2
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) May 1, 2022
Kansas City - Cameron Duke (CM/RB) got an assist for Sporting KC against Dallas.
Go on, DS20
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 1, 2022
We're all square! pic.twitter.com/96A6LKfMPM
Los Angeles - Jonny Pérez (W, 2003) played a nice through ball to pick up one of his two assists for Los Dos in USL.
This through ball from @JonnyPerez_24 is just *chef's kiss* #LAvPHX | @LAGalaxyII pic.twitter.com/CAZ4SKRlBL
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) May 2, 2022
Pérez rocketed home a strong finish later in the same game.
✅ 2 assists
— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) May 2, 2022
✅ 1 goal@JonnyPerez_24 putting on a show ✨
3-0 | #LAvPHX pic.twitter.com/TC0EaK3lfR
Miami - Indiana Vassilev (W, 2001) has re-joined Inter Miami, once again on loan from Aston Villa.
NYC - Chris Gloster (LB, 2000) scored a nice breakaway goal to open his NYCFC account.
.@chris_gloster gets his first @MLS goal for the finishing touches ⚽️✨ #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/eVyw3zuQor
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 1, 2022
Philadelphia - Brandan Craig (CB, 2004) scored a gorgeous free kick for the Union 2 in MLS Next Pro.
What. A. Goal. Brandan Craig @PhilaUnion pic.twitter.com/rdvmCfUdkm
— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) April 30, 2022
Craig followed that up by clearing it off the line not once, but twice.
Craig makes TWO goal line clearances to keep @PhilaUnionII's 2 goal advantage! pic.twitter.com/3fVHLpd3VY
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) April 30, 2022
Portland - @ProspectsUSMNT has a thread on the Portland Timbers’ GA-cup-winning U-15 team, who came into the tournament as underdogs.
San Jose Cruz Medina (AM, 2006) might be the #1 prospect for the U.S. U-17 team. Enjoy.
Highly rated 15-year-old Cruz Medina made his pro debut in MLS Next Pro yesterday. Take a look at some of his best moments this past year with the @QuakesAcademy and @USYNT. pic.twitter.com/VcEKQG9S5M
— OPSM Soccer (@OPSMSoccer) May 1, 2022
Seattle - Obed Vargas (CM, 2005) subbed in as a result of João Paulo’s injury, and went 61’ for the Sounders as they beat Pumas 3-0, becoming the first MLS team to win Concacaf Champions League in 20 years.
Congrats to @SoundersFC on their CONCACAF Champions League win!
— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) May 5, 2022
Especially Obed Vargas who played a rock solid role in a historic first for such a standard bearer club.
16 years old and he didn’t flinch once at the scope of it all. pic.twitter.com/bl02Cgf2xv
@ProspectsUSMNT has a thread about the Sounders’ U-17 GA Cup-winning team.
Tacoma - Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez (ST, 2002) scored for the Tacoma Defiance in MLS Next Pro, and would go on to win Player of the Month.
Ocampo-Chávez finishes a cross at the near post and doubles the advantage for @TACdefiance! pic.twitter.com/Ac4triA48t
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 1, 2022
Washington - Griffin Yow (W, 2002) reportedly has interest from clubs in Belgium and Denmark.
Hit the comments to let me know if there’s anything major I overlooked or if there’s anyone you’d like to hear about. Thank you for reading!
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