Ahead of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, SportingKC.com caught up with American Soccer Now's Brian Sciaretta to preview the tournament. The U.S. U-20s, captained by Sporting KC defender Erik Palmer-Brown, kick off the tournament on Saturday against Panama (2:30 p.m .CT, Univision Deportes, CONCACAF Facebook Page). The top four sides from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
Live coverage of the entire tournament is available on Univision Deportes and CONCACAF's Facebook Page.
Is the U.S. the clear favorite in Group B (includes Panama, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis)? What challenges could each opponent pose in the Group Stage?
The United States is the favorite for Group B although with youth soccer, there tend to be a lot of upsets. Players of this age are still learning and might not adapt as well to hostile environments, poor officiating, poor field conditions.
Panama is the most important and most challenging opponent for the U.S. team for the first group stage round. Their last U-20 team was very good and while this Panama team probably is not as good, the nation is improving at the sport. This team is skillful and athletic. I don't see St. Kitts getting in the way of the U.S. team but Haiti is decent. But it is imperative the U.S. team win its group and get a favorable spot in the second group.
Sporting KC defender Erik Palmer-Brown has recently been playing in a defensive midfielder role for the U-20s. Do you expect to see him at that position in this tournament?
I think Erik Palmer-Brown will play in the defensive midfield position for the U.S. team. Maybe not all of the time, but he will be there at times. Tab Ramos has always seemed to think he'd be good at that position (he played there in the 2014 Dallas Cup with the U.S. U-20s). There is an abundance of good central defenders on this team and Tab seems to want to get his best XI on the field.
Who are some players to watch on the U.S. squad?
For the U.S. team, I think one of the players to watch and who is critical to the success of this team is Portland's Jeremy Ebobisse. He's the starting center forward and his production has been great all cycle for the U-20 team. If he struggles, however, the U.S. team could be in trouble. If he is on his game, the U.S. is in very good shape. Also keep an eye on New York Red Bull central midfielder Tyler Adams. He's one of the youngest players on the team but has been a standout in recent camps.
How does this U-20 roster compare to previous cycles? Overall, how is the depth of talent in the youth national teams (U-17s, U-20s, and U-23s)?
I think this U-20 team is probably a little behind the 2015 team but better than the 2013 team. The 2015 team had a lot of attacking depth, great goalkeeping (probably the best in over two decades for the U-20 team) and outstanding central defense. This 2017 team is good but it has some holes. There are question marks in the creative playmaking role - no one seems as good as Zelalem or Hyndman. Jonathan Klinsmann lacks the pedigree of previous U-20 keepers, and the fullback positions aren't great. Still, there should be more than enough strengths to qualify.
The depths of the U.S. youth teams is improving. Then next steps is to push more players from the solid professional range and create more standouts. Pulisic is great but the U.S. needs more impact players.
Besides the U.S., who are the favorites in this tournament?
Besides the United States, clear favorites are Mexico and Costa Rica. Mexico is typically very good and Costa Rica is good and has the advantage of playing at home.
What are your expectations for the U.S. U-20s in this tournament?
From this U.S. team, I don't think qualifying is going to be easy. Players are going to be tested in ways they never really have internationally. Opponents will be playing very hard and very scrappy. Even the most talented U-20 teams had rough moments in qualifying. So it is going to be a big mental challenge for these players to fight through adversity and play up to their potential. The odds suggest they'll earn one of the four World Cup berths but the next two weeks will be a battle.
