The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team finalized its roster for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. A pair of guys with San Diego ties made the final cut.
Midfielder Paul Arriola (Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista) and goalie Thomas Olsen (USD) were named to the team by head coach Tab Ramos.
"I’m very excited about this particular group,” said Ramos. “It was very difficult making the final decision because there were quite a few players who deserved to go to the World Cup. Unfortunately, in the end I can only select a certain number, and I’m very happy with the selections that we made.”
Arriola was in the L.A. Galaxy development system when he chose to sign a professional contract with the Mexican League's Tijuana Xolos. Olsen was named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year in 2014, posting six shutouts for the Toreros including a 1-0 win over UCLA, the #1-ranked team in the nation at the time.
Here is how the entire roster looks:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia; Todd, N.C.), Thomas Olsen (University of San Diego; Las Vegas, Nev.), Zack Steffen (Freiburg; Downingtown, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (6): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur; Westcliff on Sea, England), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (Valencia Huracan; Powder Springs, Ga.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Desevio Payne (FC Groningen; Greenwood, S.C.), John Requejo (Club Tijuana; Carpinteria, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim; Lancaster, Pa.), Marco Delgado (Toronto FC; Glendora, Calif.), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham; Dallas, Texas), Joel Soñora (Boca Juniors; Buenos Aires, Argentina), Gedion Zelalem (Arsenal; Montgomery County, Md.)
FORWARDS (5): Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake; Rochester, N.Y.), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht; Beaverton, Ore.), Maki Tall (Red Star; Washington, D.C.), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes; Loomis, Calif.)
Local
The U-20 World Cup runs from May 30-June 20. Playing Group A, the USA opens the tournament May 30 against Myanmar, then plays host country New Zealand on June 2 and finishes the group stage against Ukraine on June 5.
