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Nine MLS players named to U.S. U-20 World Cup roster
Twelve MLS affiliated players to participate in U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic
NEW YORK, NY
(May 9, 2017)
– Twelve MLS affiliated players have been named to rosters for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which take place in Korea Republic from May 20 – June 11. U.S. head coach Tab Ramos named nine current MLS first team players and one academy player to his 21-man roster.
In addition to the 10 MLS affiliated players on the U.S. roster, New York City FC midfielder Yangel Herrera and New York Red Bulls II forward Douglas Martinez will participate in the tournament. Herrera, who helped NYCFC to a 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew SC on April 29 with a goal and an assist, will represent his native Venezuela, while Martinez will suit up for Honduras.
The U.S. will begin play with two matches at Incheon Stadium in Incheon against fellow Group F opponents Ecuador on May 22 (4 a.m. ET, FS1) and Senegal on May 25 (7 a.m. ET, FS1), before rounding out group play against Saudi Arabia on May 28 at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon (5 a.m. ET, FS1).
Venezuela kicks off the tournament against Germany on May 20 at Daejeon World Cup Stadium (1 a.m. ET) while Honduras begins play against France at Cheonan Stadium in Cheonan on May 22 (4 a.m. ET).
Real Salt Lake led all MLS clubs with four players on the U.S. roster. Defender Justen Glad and forward Brooks Lennon, who earned Best XI honors to help the U.S. capture the title at the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in March, the first in the nation’s history, are joined by Danny Acosta and Sebastian Saucedo. Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown also garnered Best XI honors and was given the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
A number of the U.S. players have experienced breakout seasons for their respective clubs. Orlando City SC defender Tommy Redding, who signed with the club as its first Homegrown Player in 2014, starting in six consecutive matches for the Lions. New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams has started a career-high seven matches this season, while midfielder Derrick Jones has eight appearances and five starts for the Philadelphia Union in 2017.
Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, is the lone MLS player on the U.S. roster to come into the league via the SuperDraft and outside of the youth academy system. Joining the MLS contingent on the U.S. roster is current Atlanta United academy player Lagos Kunga.
Ramos will lead the team in its third consecutive U-20 World Cup with fellow staff members including assistant coach and Sporting Kansas City Director of Player Personnel Brian Bliss.
MLS Affiliated Players by National Team:
UNITED STATES
DEFENDERS (4): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.)
MIDFIELDERS (2): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.)
FORWARDS (4): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC Academy; Tucker, Ga.) Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah)
HONDURAS
FORWARDS (1): Douglas Martinez (New York Red Bull II; Olanchito, Honduras)
VENEZUELA
MIDFIELDERS (1): Yangel Herrera (New York City FC; La Guaira, Venezuela)
