Connect with us
2017 U17 World Cup Roster update 2017 U17 World Cup Roster update

USMNT

2017 U17 World Cup Roster Update

Published

on

Where are they now as of 07/21/2020


The Fall of 2017 was a rough period for all USMNT fans, but even during this difficult time, there was a distant shimmering light. That beacon in the distance was the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup that took place in India. This tournament occurred between October 6-28. Also at this time was that particular USMNT match that I’m still very salty about (🤬 Couva). The conclusion to that Men’s World Cup qualifying debacle occurred on October 10, 2017. The 2017 U17 World Cup kept going and it was that bunch of kids that gave me hope for the future.


So here we are today, 3+ years later, gazing upon the fruit that are growing from all of those talented seeds planted during this youth tournament. This article will give an update on the US 2017 U17 roster. 

July 2017: U-17 Men’s National Team at Lake Burton

July 2017: U-17 Men’s National Team at Lake Burton


Let’s review what happened to help jog the memories…

India 0 – USA 3 (group stage) 10/6/17

Ghana vs US U17

Ghana 0 – US 1 (group stage) 10/9/17

USA 1 - Colombia 3 (group stage) 10/12/17

USA 1 – Colombia 3 (group stage) 10/12/17

Paraguay 0 - USA 5

Paraguay 0 – USA 5 (knockout stage) 10/16/17

USA 1 – England 4 (knockout stage) 10/21/17

England went on to win that tournament with the likes of Rhian Brewster, Jadon Sancho (withdrew as per request of Borussia Dortmund), Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden.

So here we go… Where are they now?

2017 U17 Goalkeepers


Alexander Budnik 

Club during U17 WC: Sockers FC 🇺🇸

Current club: none

U17 WC: DNP

Update: After being part of Sockers FC Chicago, Alex enrolled at Dartmouth College. As a freshman, he started 1 of 17 matches.  As a sophomore, he started 15 of 16 matches and was named 2nd team all-ivy league.  

Current Transfermarkt value: NA


Carlos Dos Santos

Club during U17 WC: SL Benfica Academy – Portugal 🇵🇹

Current club: Benfica U23 🇵🇹

U17 WC: DNP

Update: Carlos had moved up from Benfica U17 to U19 to currently at U23’s.  A new contract with Benfica was signed on 9/18/18 which runs through June 2023.  Later in December 2018, Carlos started for the Benfica U19 squad in the last match of the UEFA Youth League and kept a clean sheet as Benfica U19 defeated AEK U19 3-0.  On 3/22/19, Carlos was called up for the US U20’s and started vs France U20 in Spain which ended up as a 2-2 tie.  Later, Carlos was selected to be part of the 2019 U20 World Cup squad but was behind Brady Scott and David Ochoa who both started matches.  For the Benfica U23 2019/20 season, Carlos had started in 6 of 23 matches.  Benfica U23 is rotating between 3-4 keepers where Carlos appears to be 2nd in the depth chart at this time.  

Current Transfermarkt value: $110k


Justin Garces

Club during U17 WC: Atlanta United Academy 🇺🇸

Current club: none

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 start), 90’ (match2 start), 90’ (match3 start), 90’ (match4 start), 90’ (match5 start)

Update:  Justin started all 5 matches in the 2017 U17 World Cup for the stars & stripes.  He gave up 7 goals and grabbed 3 clean sheets.  Playing for Atlanta United Academy in 2017/18, Justin earned U18/19 US DA Eastern Conference Player of the Year honors.  (Some other notable DA awards that year: U16/17 East Gio Reyna, U18/19 Central Chris Richards, U16/17 West Ulysses Llanez, U18/19 West Richard Ledezma.) In February 2018, Justin signed a letter of intent to enroll and play for UCLA while playing for Atlanta II in the USL.  As a freshman, at UCLA, Justin started in 14 of 19 matches in the fall of 2018.  As a sophomore, Justin started in all 18 matches in the fall of 2019.  Justin’s last YNT camp was an appearance in one of Tab Ramos U20 camps in January 2019.  

Current Transfermarkt value: NA

2017 U17 Defenders


Sergiño Dest

Club during U17 WC: Ajax U19 – U19 Eredivisie Youth Leagues 🇳🇱

Current club: Ajax – Eredivisie 🇳🇱

U17 WC: 63’ (match2 RB start), 90’ (match3 RB start), 46’ (match4 LB start), 35’ (match5 sub)

Update:  For the 2019/20 season, Sergiño played for first place Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie and is under contract until the end of the 2021/22 season. Sergiño logged 1,445 minutes for the 2019/20 season and only missed 5 matches. He started in 15 of 20 matches with 5 assists. Also, Sergiño started in 4 of the 6 Champions League matches for Ajax. Committed to represent USA on October 28, 2019 which I like to consider as the day Dest saved our soccer. Sergiño has 3 caps for the senior side… so far. Additionally, he is rumored to have Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona interested in his services. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $19.8 Million


Chris Durkin

Club during U17 WC:  Richmond Kicker – USL1 🇺🇸 (on loan from DC United Academy – MLS 🇺🇸)

Current club: Sint-Truiden – Belgium Jupiler Pro League 🇧🇪 

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 CB start ⚽️️), 90’ (match2 DM start), 90’ (match3 CM start), 90’ (match4 CB start), 90’ (match5 start)

Update: Chris became a big part of the DC United roster for the 2018 season.  He began the season getting late match substitutions and eventually got a starting job. His form faded a bit in the 2nd half of the season, but he ended up playing 1,671 minutes starting 18 of 25 matches. After his breakout 2018 season, Chris got a lot of interest from European clubs including Benfica and Sporting CP as well as a rejected loan bid from Bayer Leverkusen. For the 2019 season, Chris had a dip in form in addition to missing 8 matches for U20 work and an ankle injury. He ended up logging 725 minutes and starting 7 of 14 matches he played in.  At the end of the 2018 season, Chris was loaned to Sint-Truiden of the Belgian First Division.  By the middle of the 2019/20 season, Chris worked his way into the lineup. The Belgium season was cut short due to COVID but Chris logged 737 minutes starting 9 of 12 matches he played in for the first team. Sint-Truiden made Chris’s loan permanent on May 7, 2020 for a transfer fee of $1.1 million. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $743 Thousand


Chris Gloster

Club during U17 WC: NY Red Bull Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: Jong PSV – Eerste Divisie 🇳🇱

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 LB start), 90’ (match2 LB start), 90’ (match3 LB start), 44’ (match4 LB sub), 90’ (match5 start)

Update: After a solid U17 World Cup performance, Chris went on trial with Schalke in January 2018. In March, Chris signed with Hannover 96. He started the 2018 season with the U17’s and soon got time with the U23’s, Hanover 96 II. Chris logged 1,185 minutes with the U23’s and 346 minutes with the U17 for 2018. After a solid U20 World Cup in the summer of 2018, Chris was bought by PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie for $330 Thousand. Chris logged 1,265 minutes starting 14 of 16 matches for Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie. Currently, Chris is training with the first team, PSV. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $275 Thousand


Jaylin Lindsey

Club during U17 WC: Sporting KC Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: Sporting KC – MLS 🇺🇸

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 RB start), 90’ (match2 CB start), 90’ (match3 CB start), 90’ (match start)

Update: Jaylin signed a Homegrown Player contract with Sporting Kansas City on 9/15/2017. He made his Sporting Kansas City debut on June 3, 2018. For the 2018 season, Jaylin started in 6 of 7 matches he played in for the MLS side totaling 555 minutes. He also played 540 minutes for Sporting Kansas City II or Swoop Park Rangers in the USL.  Jaylin had a rough start to his 2019 campaign as he suffered a torn meniscus that took him out for most of the season. After his recovery, he still logged 1,172 minutes with the USL side and made an MLS start for the final match of the season. Jaylin hopes to make an impact for the 2020 season; He has yet to appear for MLSisBack tournament. Jaylin has expressed an interest in playing in Europe one day.

Current Transfermarkt value: $220 Thousand


James Sands

Club during U17 WC:  NYC FC – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: NYC FC – MLS 🇺🇸

U17 WC:  90’ (match1 CB start), 90’ (match2 CB start), 90’ (match3 CB start), 90’ (match4 CB start)

Update: James was the first Homegrown Player to sign with NYCFC in June 2017 prior to the U17 World Cup. Sands made his professional debut with the senior team on September 16, 2017 as a substitute for Andrea Pirlo. For the 2018 season, James played in 4 matches for NYCFC and was sent to Louisville City in the USL for a short term loan where he played in 3 matches under his former U17 World Cup coach, John Hackworth. The 2019 season saw a significant jump in playing time for James. He started 18 of 19 matches and logged 1,488 minutes playing CB and DM. For the current 2020 season, James is currently a regular starter for coach Ronny Deila. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $1.1 Million


Tyler Shaver

Club during U17 WC:  NYC FC Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: none

U17 WC: DNP

Update: Tyler enrolled at Stanford University and played 78 minutes in five substitute appearances as a freshman in 2018. 

Current Transfermarkt value: NA


Akil Watts

Club during U17 WC:  Portland Timbers Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: Louisville City – USL 🇺🇸

U17 WC: 27’ (match2 sub), 90’ (match4 RB start), 81’ (match5 start)

Update: Akil took advantage of a good showing at the U17 World Cup where he moved from the Timbers Academy and signed with Spanish club RCD Mallorca on July 9, 2018. He initially played with the U19 team then moved up to Mallorca B. In August 2019, his former U17 world Cup coach John Hackworth may have helped convince Akil to return to the States as he signed with Louisville City of the USL. He ended up playing in 4 matches for the 2019 season. Akil continues to be a part of Hackworth’s squad for the current 2020 season. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $55 Thousand


2017 U17 Midfielders


George Acosta

Club during U17 WC:  North Carolina FC 🇺🇸

Current club: Inter Miami FC – MLS 🇺🇸

U17 WC: 24’ (match1 sub), 78’ (match3 AM start ⚽️️)

Update: George has jumped around since the U17 World Cup. He trialed with RB Leipzig and had interest from Seattle Sounders. He joined Club Atlético Boca Juniors U20 in Argentina in August 2018 and later moved to play with Boca Juniors II in January 2019. In August 2019, George joined Austin Bold FC in the USL and played in 5 matches totaling 131 minutes. Currently, the Miami native joined Inter Miami CF for the 2020 season. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $165 Thousand


Taylor Booth

Club during U17 WC:  Real Salt Lake Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: FC Bayern Munich II – Liga – Germany 3rd tier 🇩🇪

U17 WC:  11’ (match4 CM sub), 55’ (match5 start)

Update: After the U17 World Cup, Taylor laid low until he was able to obtain an Italian passport through his father.  In 2018, Taylor made some appearances for the US U18’s and U19’s. He was holding out for Bayern and was finally signed at the end of January 2019 where he was part of their U19 squad. Taylor ended up playing in 7 matches totaling 410 minutes. For the 2019/20 season, Taylor started out with the U19’s but also made 2 appearances for Bayern Munich II in 3. Liga.  In total, over all competitions, he racked up 1,126 minutes in 18 matches. As a 19-year-old, he is positioned to start out the 2020/21 season with Bayern Munich II in 3. Liga where they look to defend their title. Taylor is under contract until the end of the 2022 season. In May 2020, there were rumors of Tottenham offering Taylor a contract with hopes to bring him to England. 

Current Transfermarkt value: NA (wait, what!?)


Blaine Ferri

Club during U17 WC:  Solar Chelsea SC 🇺🇸

Current club: Fort Lauderdale CF – USL 🇺🇸 

U17 WC:  90’ (match1 CM start), 90’ (match2 AM start), 9’ (match3 CM sub), 34’ (match4 CM start), 73’ (match5 start)

Update: In August of 2018, Blaine joinedSpVgg Greuther Fürth in their U19 roster. He signed his first professional contract in April 2019. For the 2019/20 season, Ferri played for the U23 squad, SpVgg Greuther Fürth II who plays in the Germany 4th tier, Regionalliga Bayern. There he logged 1,453 minutes starting 16 of 18 matches he played in. In an odd turn of events, Coach Petr Ruman announced that Blaine along with 3 other teammates were suspended for “disciplinary reasons” for a 11/9/19 match. Later the player contracts for these 4 individuals were canceled. In February 2020, Blane signed with Fort Lauderdale CF which is the USL club for Inter Miami CF of the MLS. 

Current Transfermarkt value: NA


Chris Goslin

Club during U17 WC:  Charleston Battery – USL 🇺🇸

Current club: none

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 CM start), 90’ (match2 AM start), 87’ (match3 CM start), 90’ (match4 CM start)

Update: Chris started 14 matches for USL Atlanta United II for the 2018 season where he also played 1,414 minutes including an appearance for the senior team in a US Open Cup match on 6/7/2018.  Chris was released after the 2019 season where he only logged 79 minutes for Atlanta United II. Currently, Goslin is searching to land with a new club. He has trained with FK Sūduva in the top division in Lithuania, A Lyga. 

Current Transfermarkt value: $165 Thousand


Indiana Vassilev

Club during U17 WC: IMG Academy 🇺🇸

Current club: Aston Villa – EPL 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

U17 WC:  3’ (match1 sub), 9’ (match2 sub), 56’ (match4 LW sub), 17’ (match5 sub)

Update: Indiana (yes he is named after Dr. Jones) was scouted by Aston Villa as early as November 2016. He signed his first pro contract with Aston after his performance at the U17 World Cup.  For his 2017/18 season, he tallied 824 minutes with the U18 squad. In his 2018/19 season, he primarily continued with the U18’s totaling 1,293 minutes but also saw time with the U23’s seeing 418 minutes. Currently, for the 2019/20 season, Indiana has tallied 915 minutes with the U23 side and seen some time with the senior team. Indiana Vassilev made his EPL debut with Aston Villa on 1/18/20 getting subbed in against Brighton. He signed an extension with Villa that puts him under contract until June 2022.

Current Transfermarkt value: $275 Thousand (wait, what?)


2017 U17 Forwards


Ayo Akinola

Club during U17 WC: Toronto FC Academy – MLS 🇨🇦

Current club: Toronto FC – MLS 🇨🇦

U17 WC: 90’ (match1 RW start), 24’ (match2 sub ⚽️️), 90’ (match3 RW start), 79’ (match4 RW start), 90’ (match5 RW start)

Update: Ayo signed as a Homegrown Player with Toronto on 12/18/17. He did a trial with PSV earlier in November 2017. Ayo made his MLS debut on 7/5/2018 with Toronto FC. For the 2018 season, he made 4 appearances totaling 45 minutes with the MLS side as well as playing 904 minutes with the USL side, Toronto II. Similarly, for the 2019 season, he split time getting 368 minutes with the senior team and 539 minutes with the USL side. Ayo started for Toronto FC in their first MLSisBack tournament and banged in a brace. Next match, he bags a hat trick. Ayo remains eligible to play for USA (provisionally cap tied) as well as Canada or Nigeria.

Current Transfermarkt value: $440 Thousand


Andrew Carleton

Club during U17 WC: Atlanta FC – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: Indy Eleven – USL 🇺🇸 (on loan from Atlanta)

U17 WC:  90’ (match1 AM start ⚽️️), 81’ (match2 LW start), 69’ (match3 LW start), 90’ (match4 AM start ⚽️️), 90’ (match5 AM start)

Update: Andrew was Atlanta United first Homegrown Player signing on 6/9/2016. He made his MLS debut on 5/21/17 prior to the U17 World Cup. For the 2018 season, he spent some time with the senior team (251 minutes) but mostly with the USL side (1,179 minutes). Similarly, for the 2019 season, he tallied 1,228 minutes with Atlanta II in the USL and just 193 minutes with the MLS side. Unfortunately, Andrew encountered some off the field issues mainly due to questionable maturity. He’s been given a fresh start with his loan to Indy 11 in the USL for the 2020 season.

Current Transfermarkt value: $440 Thousand


Jacobo Reyes

Club during U17 WC: CF Monterrey youth – Liga MX 🇲🇽

Current club: Monterrey U20’s – Liga MX 🇲🇽

U17 WC: 5’ (match1 sub), 9’ (match2 sub)

Update: Jacob left Monterrey and spent a season at the University of Portland, the Pilots. For the 2019 season, he finished with 3 goals and 5 assists. He was selected as Freshman Best XI for Top Drawer Soccer. He re-joined Monterrey U20’s in January 2020.

Current Transfermarkt value: NA


Bryan Reynolds

Club during U17 WC:  FC Dallas Academy – MLS 🇺🇸

Current club: FC Dallas – MLS 🇺🇸

U17 WC: 9’ (match5 RB sub)

Update: After the U17 World Cup, Brian remained with FC Dallas making the bench on 10/13/18 for his first senior team appearance. For the 2019 season, Brian has split time with Dallas and North Texas Soccer Club.  He tallied 1,365 minutes over all competitions.  He is currently behind Reggie Cannon in the RB depth chart and is under contract until the end of the 2020 season.  

Current Transfermarkt value: $275 Thousand. 


Josh Sargent

Club during U17 WC:  IMG Academy 🇺🇸

Current club: Werder Bremen – German Bundesliga 🇩🇪

U17 WC:  90’ (match1 CF start ⚽️️), 90’ (match2 CF start), 90’ (match3 CF start), 90’ (match4 CF start ⚽️️), 90’ (match5 CF start ⚽️️)

Update: Josh logged 1,712 minutes for the 2019/20 season and only missed 4 matches for an injury. He started in 18 of 34 matches with 4 goals & 6 assists over all competitions. Josh is under contract until the end of the 2021/22 season. He has 12 caps for the senior national team and scored 5 goals… so far.

Current Transfermarkt value: $7.37 Million. 


Timothy Weah

Club during U17 WC: Paris Saint-Germain Youth Academy – Championnat National U17/19 🇫🇷

Current club: Lille – French League 1 🇫🇷

U17 WC: 85’ (match1 LW start), 63’ (match2 RW start), 3’ (match3 CF sub), 90’ (match4 LW start ⚽️️⚽️⚽️), 90’ (match5 LW start)

Update: Timmy was sold from PSG to Lille in July 2019 for $11.4 Million. Prior to an August 2019 injury, he was a starter for Lille and is under contract until the end of the 2023/24 season.  Timothy has 8 caps for the senior national team and scored 1 goal with 1 assist… so far.

Current Transfermarkt value: $7.92 Million. 


Players that were part of the CONCACAF U17 championship that were not part of the U17 World Cup include AJ Vasquez, Adrian Villegas and Zyen Jones. 

Coach John Hackworth

Coach John Hackworth


Head Coach John Hackworth

Coach Hackworth took over as manager of Louisville City of the USL in August 2018.  Louisville City defeated the Phoenix Rising in 2019 to be crowned USL Champion in his first year. For 2019, he holds a record of 34-12-12 where Louisville finished 4th in the Eastern Conference and were runner-up in the playoffs losing to Real Monarchs 1-3. They defeated the season champions Phoenix Rising in the quarterfinals.

So there we have it.  Thank goodness for those kids in the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup.  It is safe to say that out of this 21 man boy roster, we may get 5-7 legitimate USMNT player pool candidates with 3 genuine starters.  May the soccer gods continue to bless our USMNT with young talent!

Continue Reading

USMNT

USMNT Kits Come in Different Styles and Colors

Published

on

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

US Soccer kit releases are something fans get excited about and lately have resulted in disappointment. US Soccer’s recent schedule for kits release during the cycle has seen them releasing another road and or third kits in Gold Cup years and home and away pairs in the even years. 

US Soccer is expected to release the 2024 Copa America kits for the USMNT in the coming weeks headed into the Nations League Finals. Last Thursday evening Footy Headlines, who has had a good track record of leaking USMNT kits in the past, provided the below pictures of the home and away USMNT kits. These kits haven’t officially been announced by Nike or US Soccer, but the anticipated announcement is expected in the coming weeks headed into the Nations League Final.

Photo from Footheadlies.com – February 29, 2024

Fake Leaked USMNT Kits

The below USMNT kits were leaked over the last decade, but none of them came to fruition, it’s fun to look at what could have been for the USMNT.

2014 World Cup Kits

These leaked kits headed into the 2014 FIFA World Cup were where loved by many USMNT fans due to the sash and the use of the Centennial Crest, but unfortunately, these kits were fakes and never released.

Photo from SportsLogos.Net – September 13, 2013

2015 Alternative Kit & 2016 Copa America

Generally, US Soccer releases an alternate kit in the years that the Gold Cup is played. This leak kit was reported back in 2015 by NBCSports and then again by MLS Soccer when it was suggested it could be used during the Copa América Centenario.

Photo from NBCSports – April 2, 2015

2022 World Cup Kits

I would have much preferred for the USMNT to have worn these kits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when they ended up, but alas it was another leaked kit that never was. 

Photo from proscoccerwire.com – May 6, 2022

2024 Copa America Kit

This rumored kit for the USMNT was based on similar kits worn by the USMNT at the 1924 Olympics and the 1930 World Cup.

Photo from the18.com via Footieheadlines.com – September 14, 2023

History of US Soccer Crest and USMNT kits

Over ten years ago I began my research of USMNT soccer data in search of a single source site, which I quickly found didn’t exist. Through my research, I started to comply with old USMNT kits and crests from the past. As I acquired more and more kits worn by the USMNT and was able to start to fill in the gaps between them I decided to digitally recreate these kits and share them with the USMNT fans. 

Here’s a look at what I was able to find while it seems like a lot I am sure there are many more kits I missed and if so I would love to know which ones so I could create and update what I have already.

History of US Soccer Crests

Here’s the history of the US Soccer crests. I had to recreate several of these crests based on old pictures I found throughout my research since there were no digital images available. 

USMNT Kits – 1916-1973

These were the first kits worn by the USMNT which weren’t sponsored. There are variations of these kits worn by the USMNT which comprised of variations of crests and styles, likely due to available funds during this time. My favorite kits in the group are the ones with the sashes from the 1928 and 1936 Olympics and the 1959 Pan American Games

USMNT Kits – 1974-1983

The group of kits for the USMNT were the first that were sponsored by Adidas. There were a lot of similar styles of kits during this time which really lacked any creativity. My favorite kits in the group are the ones from the middle to late 1970s, there is something about their simplicity and clean look. 

USMNT Kits – 1984-1994

Adidas’s 20-year run of creating kits for US Soccer ended in 1994, with few quality kits made during those couple of decades, which is ironic considering how nice Adidas’s kits are today. My favorite kits in the group are the 1985/1986 blue hoop kit and the 1988 Blue Olympic kit.

USMNT Kits – 1995-2011

In 1995 Nike took over the creation of the US Soccer kits and started by making three similar kits for the 1995 Copa America and 1996 third kit for the US Cup. Nike did release three Special Edition kits in 2003, 2004, and 2006, which were only worn for one match each. My favorite kits in the group all had a sash on them, which were both the 2010 World Cup kits and the red 2011 Gold Cup kit. 

USMNT Kits – 2012-Current

Most USMNT fans would agree that recent kits released by Nike haven’t held the standard seen in the 2010s, where the hoops/stripes that some many fans loved for the 2012 Waldo kits were incorporated. My unsung kits of this group are the 2018 home kit, which would have been worn at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2017 Gold Cup kit. 

USMNT Kits going forward

Nike and US Soccer signed what was considered a historical long-term sponsor agreement, in November 2021, that went into effect in Janaury 2023 that will run for at least a decade which will cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics and possibly a 2027 or 2031 Women’s World Cup hosted in the United States, so for fans who has hoped for a different kit creator they will have to wait a while.

Once the 2024 Copa America kits are released US Soccer will likely only release one more kit for the 2025 Gold Cup for the USMNT before releasing the 2026 World Cup kits. One idea that I’ve had for a long time was for US Soccer to release Special Edition Kits with styles from the past, with the limited release of those kits, coupled with playing matches in locations and venues throughout the United States to build the fan base and excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In conclusion, I am somewhat optimistic that US Soccer and Nike will create some variation of the 2012 Waldo kit & 1994 Stats and Denim kit to be worn as the hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

Continue Reading

USMNT

2024: A Pivotal Year for the USMNT

Published

on

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X/Formally Twitter)


Photo From: USA Today-John Locher, AP – 18, June 2023 – 2023 Concacaf Nations League 

As the fog hovered over Estadio Parque Artigas Stadium in Paysandú, Uruguay in the 58th minute Eric Wynalda received the ball on the right wing with Joe-Max Moore making a run forward and in front of  Wynalda who delivered a pass to Moore who then went down preventing the ball from being taken away and sending it back to Wynalda who slides forward and scores the third goal of the match and his third goal of the tournament, making it 3-0 USA over tenth-ranked Argentinians and all but sealing the win and the top spot in Group C at the 1995 Copa America. The win for this USMNT consisted of 17 players from the 1994 World Cup team who reached their pinnacle with this group of players finishing fourth at this Copa America.

Over the previous three decades, the USMNT has had some of the biggest wins in the team’s history. During the 1999 Confederations Cup, which was played in Mexico the USMNT played a hard-fought match against the fifth-ranked Germans defeating them 2-0 in the final group stage match and finishing third overall in the tournament. The USMNT would also have an even bigger result against second-ranked Spain in the semi-finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup when they ended Spain’s 35-game unbeaten streak in a 2-0 victory that would send them to the final against Brazil.

2024 is the midway point of the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle, and the next two windows for the USMNT who as a team and federation need to start ascending to their apex with this group to ensure that they have an amazing performance at the 2026 World Cup.

The USMNT has already played their first match, a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia, but need to quickly focus on the March window 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals where they will play Jamaica in the semi-final round and a win would put the USMNT in their third straight Nations League Final where they would have a chance to play either Mexico or Panama and win their third straight Concacaf Nations League trophy.

Some 90 days later the USMNT will be kicking off only their fifth appearance at the Copa America Tournament, with the stakes for this group at an all-time high and where success is demanded from the players, coaches, fans, and the federation. Will this current group of USMNT players and coaches be able to progress to the next level against the elite teams of CONMEBOL? It’s worth noting that the USMNT has finished fourth twice at Copa America in 1995 and 2016, however, the USMNT finished 32nd at the 1998 World Cup and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The U-23 USMNT will also be playing the Olympics for the first time since 2008, which provides a great opportunity for those U-23 players to get noticed on a big stage. There are many eligible players who if released by their clubs will have a great opportunity to impress while helping the U-23 USMNT make a deep run at the 2024 Olympics in France.

As it becomes increasingly harder for the USMNT to schedule non-Concacaf opponents the US Soccer Federation will need to get creative in who and where they schedule these Friendly matches. The June window offers up the best opportunities for the USMNT to schedule matches against other CONMEBOL teams, preferably in Groups A and B which feature Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela

Edgar Moreno on X, formally Twitter, reported that the USMNT and Colombia have scheduled a Friendly headed into Copa America. It was also reported on Goal.com that Colombia will be scheduling a total of four matches leading into the tournament, two of which will be taking place in Europe. While there are challenges with timing and logistics around scheduling Friendlies with UEFA teams, USSF really needs to do everything possible to secure a similar type of schedule headed into Copa America but, rarely schedules USMNT Friendlies outside of the FIFA International window, which Colombia would need to do to make that schedule work. 

 It has been recently rumored that the USMNT might close to scheduling a Friendly with Colombia headed into Copa America. The September and October windows have few quality opponents available, at the time of the article it appears that the September window could be an opportunity to play schedule matches with teams from the CAF Confederation, but those matches would likely need to be played at neutral sites in Europe. 

2024 USMNT Window

MarchJune WindowCopa AmericaSeptemberOctoberNovember
CNL Finals                 March 18-26Friendlies            June 3-11                                  June 20-July 14Friendlies           Sept. 2-10Friendlies           Oct. 7-15CNL quarterfinals       Nov. 11-19

Below are eight years since the 1994 cycle that at the time were considered big years for the USMNT as they were playing in FIFA tournaments against teams from other confederations. Below is a look at how they fared.

1992

6 Wins, 4 Draws, 11 Losses, GF-21, GA-27

Third Place at the King Fahd Cup renamed Confederations Cup in 1997 edition.

First at U.S. Cup (Participating teams –Ireland, Italy & Portugal)

Top Goal Scorers

5-Eric Wynalda
3-Hugo Perez
3-Marcelo Balboa
2-Bruce Murray
2-John Harkes

Goalkeeper Stats

5 Wins – Tony Meola
4 Shutouts – Tony Meola


Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992

1993

10 Wins, 11 Draws, 13 Losses, GF-45, GA-44

Twelfth place at Copa America 

Second Place at Gold Cup

Third Place at U.S. Cup (Participating teams – Brazil, England & Germany)

34 matches played 1st All-Time

11 Draws tied for 1st All-Time with 1994

13 Loses 1st All-Time

44 Goals Conceded 1st All-Time

Top Goal Scorers

8-Joe-Max Moore
7-Dominic Kinnear
4-Alexi Lalas
4-Thomas Dooley

Goalkeeper Stats

Photo From:  El Grafico Number 3847, June 16, 1993

7 Wins – Tony Meola
8 Shutouts – Tony Meola

1995

5 Wins, 3 Draws, 6 Losses, GF-20, GA-18

Fourth Place at Copa America

First at U.S. Cup (Participating teams – Colombia, Mexico & Nigeria)

Top Goal Scorers

3-Eric Wynalda
2-Joe-Max Moore
2-Alexi Lalas
2-John Harkes

Goalkeeper Stats

3 Wins – Kasey Keller
2 Shutouts – Brad Friedel & Kasey Keller

Photo From: DIEGO GIUDICE Associated Press file, July 14, 1995

1999

7 Wins, 2 Draws, 4 Losses, GF-19, GA-11

Third Place at Confederations Cup

Second Place at U.S. Cup (Participating teams – Bolivia, Guatemala & Mexico)

Top Goal Scorers

3-Joe-Max Moore
3-Brian McBride
2-Ben Olsen
2-Jovan Kirovski
2-Frankie Hedjuk

Goalkeeper Stats

2 Wins – Brad Friedel & Kasey Keller
2 Shutouts – Brad Friedel & Tony Meola


Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico, July 30, 1999

2003

10 Wins, 2 Draws, 4 Losses, GF-28, GA-10

Seventh Place at Confederations Cup

Third place at Gold Cup

Top Goal Scorers

7-Landon Donovan
4-Carlos Bocanegra
3-Brian McBride
3-Chris Klein

Goalkeeper Stats

6 Wins – Kasey Keller
5 Shutouts – Kasey Keller

Photo From: FIFA Confederations Cup, June 23, 2003

2007

12 Wins, 1 Draws, 5 Losses, GF-31, GA-19

Twelfth Place at Copa America 

First Place at Gold Cup

Top Goal Scorers

9-Landon Donovan
3-Clint Dempsey
3- DaMarcus Beasley
2-Eddie Johnson
2-Benny Feilhaber
2-Carlos Bocanegra

Goalkeeper Stats

8 Wins – Tim Howard
4 Shutouts – Tim Howard

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Guillermo Legaria/EPA/Shutterstock (8021271j) Argentinean Striker Lionel Messi (r) and U S Mildfielder Ricardo Clarck Figth For the Ball During the Copa America Group C Soccer Match Argentina Vs Usa at the Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo Venezuela 28 June 2007 Venezuela Maracaibo Venezuela Soccer Copa America – Jun 2007


Photo From: Guillermo Legaria – FIFA Copa America, June 28, 2007 

2009

13 Wins. 3 Draws, 8 Losses, GF-43, GA-36

Second Place at Confederations Cup

Second Place at Gold Cup

Top Goal Scorers

6-Jozy Altidore
5-Landon Donovan
4-Clint Dempsey
4-Michael Bradley
3- Sacha Kljestan
3- Charlie Davies

Goalkeeper Stats

7 Wins – Tim Howard
4 Shutouts – Tim Howard


Photo From: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

2016

12 Wins, 1 Draw, 6 Losses, GF-37, GA-20

Fourth Place at Copa America

Top Goal Scorers

6-Jozy Altidore
4-Bobby Wood
4-Clint Dempsey
3-Christian Pulisic
3-Gyasi Zardes

Goalkeeper Stats

8 Wins – Brad Guzan
6 Shutouts – Brad Guzan


Photo From: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations for the in 2024 USMNT

The USMNT is expected to once again advance to the Nations League Final and with their full fit A Squad should be able to bring home their third Nations League trophy, but the 2024 Copa America tournament is very possible the most important non-World Cup the USMNT has even competed it. How success and failure will be determined by the USSF and fans will be interesting to follow. Gregg Berhalter has to prove that he can put together a roster, a formation that allows for simple and effective tactics that will allow the USMNT to not only compete against some top-tier nations but beat them. Success for me isn’t just advancing to the semi-finals of Copa America The USMNT needs to perform at the next level against the top-tier nations, something that I’ve only seen a handful of times in my nearly 35 years as a USMNT fan.

Continue Reading

USMNT

USMNT’S Next Great Location

Published

on

Where the USMNT Should Play Next and Why?

26 JUN 1994: COBI JONES#13 OF USA FIGHTS OFF THE CHALLENGE FROM FLORIN RADUCIOIU OF ROMANIA DURING THEIR 1994 WORLD CUP GROUP A MATCH AT THE ROSE BOWL STADIUM IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. ROMANIA WON THE MATCH 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT

The largest USMNT home attendance of 93,869 took place at the 1994 World Cup in a 1-0 loss to Romania at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

The U.S. men’s national team announced last month that their only January Camp 2024 Friendly match would be played in the nearly 8,300-seat Toyota Field, home of the USL Championship team San Antonio FC. This marks only the third time USMNT has played a match in a USL venue, the last match was in March 2018, at WakeMed Soccer Park, in Cary, North Carolina. It also marked the 16th time that the USMNT will be playing a match at a venue with a capacity of less than 10,000 (USMNT have played 13 matches at 10,000 seat capacity). 

How and where USMNT decides to play matches has recently been scrutinized by fans who live in areas of the United States where matches are rarely — or never — played. Back in March 2023, the USMNT played their final Concacaf Nations League match in Orlando, making its sixth appearance in Orlando since Exploria Stadium opened in 2017. The USMNT has also played seven matches in the state of Ohio since the beginning of the 2018 cycle, four of which have been played in Cincinnati, which is tied for the second most matches played in a city since 2018. USMNT fans nationwide who haven’t been able to attend a local or regional match recently continue to ask why the same handful of venues continue to be selected, even for Friendly matches.  

Since the beginning of the 2018 cycle, the USMNT has played 62 home matches at 28 venues, but 10 of those venues have hosted three or more times. The USSF doesn’t have control over which venues the USMNT will play their Gold Cup and Nation League Finals matches, but it does with friendlies, World Cup Qualifiers, and all home Nations League matches. 

During the Gregg Berhalter era (yes, I am counting the six-ish months when Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan coached) the USMNT played the second- and third-longest consecutive home match stretches; 15 consecutive home matches in 2019 and 14 consecutive home matches in 2023. Both were years when the Gold Cup was played. The longest stretch was in 1994 when the USMNT hosted the World Cup and played 17 consecutive home matches. As we look forward to 2024 it is possible that the USMNT could reach 16 consecutive home matches played if they can play the maximum amount of Copa America matches and don’t schedule any road or neutral location matches during the September and October windows.

When posting on X (formerly Twitter) about the match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, the USMNT account said, “Another stadium to cross off the list,” which appears to be a jab at the USMNT fans about venue selection. The recently scheduled January Camp match scheduled in San Antonio isn’t the first time the USMNT has played in this city. They beat Costa Rica 1-0 in 1988 at Alamo Stadium and in 2015 beat Mexico 2-0 at the Alamodome.

Breaking Down Recent USMNT Home Matches


Below are the US Cities in which the USMNT has played since the beginning of the 2018 cycle up through the group stage matches of Copa America 2024.

Kansas City, Kansas*5
Orlando, Florida5
Arlington, Texas4
Austin, Texas4
Cincinnati, Ohio4
Nashville, Tennessee4
Carson, California3
Paradise, Nevada3
St. Louis, Missouri3
St. Paul, Minnesota3

Below are the US States in which the USMNT has played since the beginning of the 2018 cycle through the Copa America 2024 group matches.

Texas10
Florida7
Ohio7
California6
Kansas*5
Missouri4
Tennessee4

*All three 2021 Gold Cup Group Stage matches were played at the same location.

In the past, locations and venue selection for World Cup qualifiers haven’t been ideal to ensure a true home-field advantage for the USMNT (see the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey). The US Soccer Federation has started to rely on the same 7 or 8 venues for critical matches. But, with the USMNT not needing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, USSF has a great opportunity to play in locations they have never played before, or at least in recent memory.

As it currently stands, the USMNT hasn’t played a match in 22 of the 50 states (plus the District of Columbia) and there are seven states in which the USMNT hasn’t played a match in nearly 10 years. Indiana, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Kentucky are the four most populated states to never host a USMNT match, and very much overdue to get matches scheduled at those locations.

One of the seven locations that haven’t seen the USMNT play in over 10 years is Michigan, which has seen two of the largest crowds to watch International Club soccer, the largest attendance of 109,318 in 2014 when Manchester United defeated Real Madrid 3-1 and the 2nd largest attendance of 105,826 in 2016 saw Real Madrid defeat Chelsea 3-2 both were played at the University of Michigan Stadium aka “The Big House”.

Which State or Venue Should the USMNT Play at Next?

Here’s a look at 10 locations/venues where I would like to see the USMNT play over the next couple of cycles. There are some challenges in getting matches scheduled in certain states and venues due to the playing surface not being grass or the venue not being the required size, which is the case in many of the NCAA football fields. 

The below graphic shows the regions where the USMNT has played or already scheduled  457 home matches, up through the Copa America 2024 group stage.

Alabama

Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Legion FC – USL Championship & UAB Blazers – NCAA Football
Capacity – 47,100

C:\Users\desch\OneDrive\Desktop\USMNT_Venues\Alabama-Protective_Stadium.jpg

Under the management of Bruce Arena, the USMNT played three matches in Alabama during the 2002 and 2006 cycles, but haven’t returned in almost 18 years. 

Last three Matches played in Alabama

March 30, 2005 – 2-0 win vs Guatemala – Birmingham, Alabama – Legion Field – World Cup Qualifier

March 10, 2002 – 1-0 win vs Ecuador – Birmingham, Alabama – Legion Field – Friendly

March 12, 2000 – 1-1 draw vs Tunisia – Birmingham, Alabama – Legion Field – Friendly

Arkansas

War Memorial Stadium – Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock Rangers – USL2 & Secondary Home of Arkansas Razorbacks – NCAA Football
Capacity – 54,120

WholeHogSports - In UA's view, War Memorial in need of $10M update

Neither the US Men’s nor Women’s National teams have played a soccer match in the state of Arkansas. Another option could be to play at the recently announced expansion USL Championship team to be located in Northwest Arkansas. 

Last three Matches played in Arkansas

No matches played


Hawaii

New Aloha Stadium (2033 – 2038) – Honolulu, Hawaii
University of Hawaii – NCAA Football
Capacity – Expected 25,000 – 30,000

C:\Users\desch\OneDrive\Desktop\USMNT_Venues\Hawaii.jpg

With a new Aloha Stadium expected to be built and hopefully finished in the next 10 years, playing a match in Hawaii seems more likely an option for the USMNT in the future, the perfect opportunity for a January camp location.

Back in 2015, the USWNT had a scheduled victory tour match at the current Aloha Stadium but was canceled on the day of the match because the artificial turf surface at the stadium was deemed unplayable. 

Last three Matches played in Hawaii

No matches played

Idaho

Albertsons Stadium – Boise, Idaho
Boise State University – NCAA Football
Capacity – 36,387

Neither the USMNT nor the USWNT has ever played a match in Idaho, or any of the other surrounding states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. However, in 2015 a friendly match was scheduled at the home of Boise State University at Albertsons Stadium, which is known for its blue surface, aka “Smurf Turf.”  The Basque Soccer Friendly featured Athletic Bilbao of La Liga against Club Tijuana of Liga MX in front of a crowd of 21,948 with Athletic Bilbao winning 2–0.   

Last three Matches played in Idaho

No matches played


Indiana

Future – Indy Eleven Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Indy Eleven – USL Championship
Capacity – 20,000

C:\Users\desch\OneDrive\Desktop\Eleven-Park.png

The senior USMNT has never played in the state of Indiana. The B Team, however, has played Olympic qualifying matches there for the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, as well as the 1987 Pan American Games, with games not counting as full international caps

Last three Matches played in Indiana

May 10, 1992 – 3-1 win vs Canada – Bloomington, Indiana – Bill Armstrong Stadium – Olympic Qualifying 

August 15, 1987 – 0-2 loss vs Argentina – Indianapolis, IN – Kuntz Memorial Soccer Stadium- Pan American Games

May 25, 1987 – 4-1 win vs El Salvador – Indianapolis, IN – Kuntz Memorial Soccer Stadium – Olympic Qualifying

Kentucky

Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville City FC – USL Championship
Capacity – 11,700 (Expandable to 15,304)

It was nearly a full capacity crowd at Lynn Family Stadium Saturday on a hot evening as LouCity took on visiting Memphis. The boys in purple won, 3-0. June 12, 2021

Louisville City FC has been one of the more successful and popular USL teams in recent seasons and has an amazing fan base. This spurred the building of their soccer stadium in 2018. It is a logical location for a USMNT match. 

Last three Matches played in Kentucky

No matches played

New York City

Future – New York City FC – Bronx, New York
New York City FC – MLS Team
Capacity – 25,000

The US Men’s National Team hasn’t played in the New York City area in nearly 40 years, even though they have played matches at the home stadium of the New York Red Bulls which is in New Jersey. 

Last three Matches played in New York City Area

November 30, 1984 – 0-0 draw vs Ecuador – Hempstead, New York – Hofstra Stadium– Friendly

September 15, 1968 – 3-3 draw vs Israel – Bronx, New York – Yankee Stadium – Friendly

May 27, 1964 – 0-10 loss vs England – Randall’s Island, New York – Downing Stadium – Friendly

New York (Upstate)

Future – Buffalo Bills stadium (2026) – Orchard Park, New York
Buffalo Bills – NFL Team
Capacity – 62,000

Buffalo Bills unveil first design images of their new $1.4 billion stadium

The US Men’s National Team has never played in Upstate New York and with the new stadium being built for the Buffalo Bills — expected to be finished sometime in 2026 — the area would have a good venue for the USMNT to play.

Last three Matches played in Update New York

No matches played

New Mexico

Proposed – New Mexico United Stadium – Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico United – USL Championship
Capacity – 12,000

https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NewMexico-conceptual2020.jpg

Another stadium option for the USMNT in New Mexico would be University Stadium also in Albuquerque, which had a seating capacity of over 30,000, however the overall attendance in the only three matches played there wasn’t impressive.

Last three Matches played in New Mexico

March 19, 2005 – 1-0 win vs Honduras – Albuquerque, New Mexico – University Stadium – Friendly

April 30, 1994 – 0-2 loss vs Chile – Albuquerque, New Mexico – University Stadium – Friendly

June 7, 1988 – 0-1 loss vs Ecuador – Albuquerque, New Mexico – University Stadium – Friendly (Clasico International Cup)

Oregon

Providence Park – Portland Oregon
Portland Timbers – MLS
Capacity – 25,218

It’s been 10 years since the USMNT has played in Oregon and with the Pacific Northwest being a soccer-crazed region, is time for the USMNT to return, while the stadium is currently using field turf they would have to make the necessary accommodations to support a grass service.

Last three Matches played in Oregon

July 9, 2013 – 6-1 win vs Belize – Portland, Oregon – Jeld-Wen Field – Gold Cup-Group Stage

May 24, 1998 – 2-0 win vs Kuwait – Portland, Oregon – Civic Stadium – Friendly

September 7, 1997 – 1-0 win vs Costa Rica Portland, Oregon – Civic Stadium – World Cup Qualifier


Other venues and locations considered were Paladin Stadium at Furman University in South Carolina, Memphis 901 FC recently announced a new 10,000-seat stadium to be built in Memphis, Tennessee in the next several years, and Riccardo Silva Stadium home of the USL Championship team Miami FC. Louisiana is another state which has two venues, the Tad Gormley Stadium and the Superdome both of which the US Women’s National Team has played at in the past and could be suitable options for the USMNT in the future.


What are the next and necessary steps for the US Soccer Federation?

With so many high-profile soccer tournaments to be played in the United States over the next six years, this is a great opportunity for the USSF to expand its reach and bring the USMNT to places it’s never been. As it relates to attendance and ticket pricing, the USSF needs to figure out the formula that would allow for maximum capacity at all home matches while allowing for the federation to bring in the necessary revenue desired. Here’s hoping that the United States Soccer Federation sees it the same way and acts accordingly. 

Continue Reading

Trending