The US Under-20 men's national team will kick off their qualifying campaign fo the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Friday, and they will do so with a roster that includes six MLS players.
Tommy Thompson of the San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta were among the domestic-based players included in Tab Ramos' 20-man squad for the upcoming CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica, which will determine the four nations from the region to partake in this summer's World Cup in New Zealand.
The other four MLS youngsters are LA Galaxy forward Bradford Jamieson IV, New York Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga, Columbus Crew SC midfielder Romain Gall and Orlando City defender Tyler Turner.
Acosta, who was on the U-20 roster for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was named the team's captain. Other notable players on the squad include Fulham's Emerson Hyndman, Cameron Carter-Vickers of Tottenham and Club Tijuana's Paul Arriola.
"Overall, this is a group made up mostly with professional players, and that's a strength," said Ramos in a statement. "These are players who are completely dedicated to the sport; players who 100-percent of the time prepare to do well, to get better, and be on the national team."
The US begin their qualifying efforts on Friday when they take on Guatemala in Group A action. The Americans then face Panama two days later, Aruba on Jan. 14, Jamaica on Jan. 18 and Trinidad & Tobago on Jan. 21.
Ramos' side can qualify automatically for the U-20 World Cup by winning their group. The US can still qualify if they do not win their group, but they would have to do so via a playoff consisting of the second- and third-place finishers from each group.
The full roster:
GK: Ethan Horvath (Molde/NOR); Zack Steffen (Freiburg/GER)
D: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG); Conor Donovan (NC State); Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls); Shaquell Moore (Unattached); John Requejo (Club Tijuana/MEX); Tyler Turner (Orlando City)
M: Fernando Arce (Club Tijuana/MEX); Russell Canouse (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim/GER); Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG); Emerson Hyndman (Fulham/ENG); Junior Flores (Borussia Dortmund/GER); Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)
F: Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX); Romain Gall (Columbus Crew SC); Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy); Amando Moreno (Club Tijuana/MEX); Ben Spencer (Molde/NOR); Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
