After an exhilarating come-from-behind victory over tournament favorite France, the USA is one of eight teams remaining at the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. The U-20 World Cup is FIFA’s oldest youth world championship and serves as a biennial showcase of top talents around the globe aged 20 and younger.
An exciting 21-player team is representing the red, white and blue in Poland. Nineteen of the players came up through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and a number are now signed to some of the world’s biggest clubs such as Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, or have become some of MLS’ most promising young stars. The players, ranging from 17- to 20-years-old, are some of the USA’s best and brightest prospects. Here’s what you need to know about the young Americans making noise on the global soccer stage.
FORWARDS – GOLDEN BOOT CONTENDER, SENIOR TEAM DEBUTANT AND LETHAL WINGERS FUEL U.S. ATTACK
A dangerous arsenal of attacking talent leads the charge for the USA on the front line. Striker Sebastian Soto has netted two doubles in Poland, powering the red, white and blue’s 2-0 victory vs. Nigeria in the group stage and netting the first two goals in the upset win over France. His four tallies tie him for second place in scoring at the U-20 World Cup. After moving to German side Hannover 96 last fall, Soto didn’t miss a beat, continuing his torrid goal-scoring pace with the club’s U-19 team before making his first team debut this spring. He’s continued to find the back of the net in Poland.
The high-flying Tim Weah earned eight senior MNT caps in 2018 and has served as a key contributor at the World Cup. Dangerous with and without the ball, Weah scored the USA’s lone goal in a gritty win over Qatar and has picked up two assists, including this nifty pass to draw the U.S. even with France. Weah joined the team after wrapping up a successful spell with Scottish giants Celtic FC where he was on loan from French power Paris Saint-Germain.
Justin Rennicks has been one of the U-20s most consistent players over the last two years and completed the USA’s thrilling comeback against France when he pounced on a rebound and drove it home in the 83rd minute. A Homegrown player, Rennicks made his MLS debut earlier this season for the New England Revolution.
Winger Konrad de la Fuente serves as a crafty, creative option on the flank and made his debut with FC Barcelona’s reserve team earlier this year. De La Fuente has started every game for the USA in Poland as a constant danger on the right wing.
Ulyssess Llanez has made the most of his two World Cup appearances, serving as a game-changing super-sub in the USA’s last two matches. The USA’s lone goal against Qatar came shortly after his entrance, and he helped spark the equalizer for the U.S. vs. France. Llanez completed a move to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg this spring.
