USA U20 World Cup roster with full list of USMNT players called up for FIFA soccer tournament in Argentina

The USA Under-20 national team is poised for another deep run at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Led by head coach Mikey Varas, the USA is looking to surpass its best-ever finish at an Under-20 World Cup, which came way back in 1989 when they finished fourth in Saudi Arabia.

The Americans have yet to reach that semifinal stage again, falling just short with three straight quarterfinal finishes (2015, 2017 and 2019). The USA is the only nation to make it to the quarters in each of the last three editions.

This year, top prospects Gaga Slonina, Cade Cowell, and Kevin Paredes headline a stacked roster as the USA aims to turn heads in Argentina. They were unable to secure the services of a few other solid components, but overall the team has the goods to make a deep run.

The Sporting News brings you a closer look at the USA's Under-20 roster as assembled by Varas.

MORE: Complete 2023 Under-20 World Cup schedule

USA U20 World Cup roster for 2023 FIFA tournament

Head coach Mikey Varas selected 21 players to represent the United States at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup. The team captain is midfielder Dan Edelman who has worn the armband since his time with the Under-16 team.

Players have joined the team from five different leagues, including four in Europe. Only two clubs, the Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes, have multiple players represented on the roster, with the Union's three leading the way.

Only two players on the roster, Cade Cowell and Jonathan Gomez, have senior USMNT experience. U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that Ricardo Pepi was not called in as he is considered to have graduated from the youth team setup to the senior side.

The USA were denied the services of Paxten Aaronson, who was not released for duty by his German club Eintracht Frankfurt, and the same goes for defender Jalen Neal of the struggling LA Galaxy. 

Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg) and Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split) were not with the team for the group stage, but joined up for the knockouts. The German Bundesliga season ended on Saturday, May 27, while Hajduk Split played their final league match on Sunday, May 28. 

* = USA U20 appearances prior to FIFA World Cup

USA U20 World Cup schedule, results

The USA was drawn into Group B, playing against Ecuador, Fiji, and Slovakia in the 2023 Under-20 World Cup group stage.

Ecuador was the team that knocked the U.S. out of the last tournament, losing 1-0 in the 2019 quarterfinals. They exacted revenge, winning by that same scoreline to open group stage play at this tournament, thanks to a dramatic 93rd minute winner by Jonathan Gomez.

The USA proceeded to defeat both Fiji and Slovakia to move on to the knockouts as Group B winners. They advanced to the Round of 16 to take on New Zealand, which finished in third place in Group A.

The quarterfinals would see the Americans matched up against 

MORE: Updated 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup standings

USA U20 World Cup history

The best finish for the USA at an Under-20 World Cup was fourth place, which they achieved in 1989 in Saudi Arabia. The Americans beat Iraq in the quarterfinals before falling to Nigeria in extra-time in the semifinals. In the third-place match they tasted defeat to Brazil by a 2-0 scoreline.

That 1989 team featured the likes of Kasey Keller, Chris Henderson, and Troy Dayak, all of whom eventually played various roles with the senior team.

The U.S. has made the quarterfinals in three straight tournaments, but agonizing defeats to Serbia (on penalties), Venezuela (in extra-time), and Ecuador have seen them fail to go any further.

The U.S. Under-20 men's side has qualified for 17 of the 23 all-time U20 World Cups, tied for second-most all-time with Argentina. They failed to qualify for six editions: 1977, 1979, 1985, 1991, 1995, and 2011. This Under-20 competition was first held by FIFA in 1977.