This is a good primer
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USMNTProspects
https://twitter.com/ProspectsUsmnt
@ProspectsUsmnt
A thread on 10 youth talents we might see for the USMNT in 2023 that didn’t make the WC team, plus 2 bonus additions.
Gaga Slonina (‘04): Nearly made the USMNT WC team. Based on the training camp selection, he was likely the 5th GK. Earned a move to Chelsea. How his adaption process to the top levels of the game goes will determine how quickly we see him integrated into USMNT on regular basis.
Bryan Reynolds (‘01): Has been an up/down stint since joining Roma. Now on loan in Belgium. Has started playing well in recent months. Finishing off a good season will do his case much good. Will he return to Roma? Unknown. Regardless, USMNT RB depth isn’t what we once thought.
John Tolkin (‘02): Capped off a great season in MLS with call to pre USMNT WC camp. Don’t overlook that. Indicates USMNT call up not far away. Question will be does he spend another year in MLS or make jump now. Young LB depth starting to get crowded. Will be tough to break in.
Jonathan Gomez (‘03): He has yet to debut for Real Sociedad, but consider the level of club he’s trying to break in at. A team competing for a UCL spot. Has made bench 3 times in last 9 months. He’s getting close. Hard to believe he doesn’t appear for USA or Mexico again in 2023.
Mauricio Isais (‘02): He’s the starting LB for the Champions of LigaMX. Capped that off with a call to the Mexico pre WC camp (Mexican-American). Came a little bit from nowhere this season. It’ll be difficult to recruit him for USMNT, but we have to attempt to recruit him.
Johnny Cardoso (‘01): We’ve been waiting for better performance. Now he’s finally had a breakout season in Brazil. He’s been highly rated by US program for a long time. Wasn’t far from making USMNT WC team. Could move to Europe in January. Transfer rumors starting to pick up.
Aidan Morris (‘01): Like Tolkin, he made the USMNT pre WC camp, as one of the two non U-20 Olympic eligibles. That indicates they wanted him in camp with USMNT staff and senior call up not far. Rebounded from long-term injury with a good season in MLS. Plays a position of need.
Taylor Booth (‘01): In hindsight, he could’ve helped USMNT WC roster. Maybe with foresight too. However, he should be a USMNT staple very soon. A versatile midfielder that can play almost anywhere. Coming off Player of the Month in Eredivisie. He’s having a breakout season.
Malik Tillman (‘02): He wasn’t far from making USMNT WC team. Coach chose some veterans over him. Might’ve not been ready to contribute, but this is his first season of regular first team football. Has had some ups/downs for Rangers, but should be USMNT regular soon enough.
Ricardo Pepi (‘03): By far the biggest and most talked about snub from the USMNT WC team. You won’t find many who agreed with the decision, but Pepi has found recent success on loan in Eredivisie. If he continues that success, he has potential to make USMNT CF spot his own soon.
Daryl Dike: He’s a late ‘00, so he’s no longer a youth talent anymore for us, but he’s young and has big potential. A year and a half ago many thought he could become one of best Americans of his generation. Has struggled a lot with injuries since. Needs to stay on the field.
Roman Celentano: Another late ‘00. He was probably the best rookie in MLS this past season, and the most ready of the young American GK’s to be integrated into USMNT. He’s only 22, so he’s young for a GK, but quickly earned a starting spot at FCC and was very credible as rookie.
Going in the wrong direction: Bello, Otasowie, Bassett, Tessmann, Busio, KDLF, Llanez, Hoppe
Duals that require a switch: Balogun, Okoh, Lund, Thorvaldson, Suzuki, Richardson