USL Feature
Friday, June 7, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – Tab Ramos today announced his selections for the 21-man U.S. squad that will compete in the FIFA U20 World Cup later this month in Turkey. Among the selections were five former USL standouts, all of whom are expected to play a role as the U.S. tries to find success against a tough group in the opening round of the tournament.
Leading the group is former Sounders FC U-23 standout DeAndre Yedlin, one of three PDL alumni to be selected. Now with the Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer, where he is having an outstanding rookie season, Yedlin was an All-League selection in the PDL in 2012, helping the Sounders U-23 claim the Western Conference title. Yedlin appeared in every minute of every game during the regular season, recording a goal and an assist, helping pave the way for the Sounders to offer him a homegrown player contract this spring.
Joining Yedlin is current Portland Timbers U-23s standout Eric Miller, who in addition to starring for Creighton has been a key figure in the Timbers U-23s’ success in the past two seasons. Miller opened this PDL season strongly, starting the club’s first three PDL games this season before making the trip to France with the U20s for the recent Toulon Tournament, where he appeared in three of the four games. Current Sporting Kansas City midfielder Mikey Lopez completes the trio, with the former Orange County Blue Star player having made four appearances in CONCACAF qualifying earlier this year.
Former Super-20 League standout Wil Trapp also earned selection after playing a key role in midfield during qualification in Mexico. A Super-20 Championship winner with the Columbus Crew Juniors in 2011, Trapp was also a standout at Akron before signing with the Crew’s MLS side prior to this season.
Another key member of the side will be goalkeeper Cody Cropper, a former standout in the Super Y-League. An ODP Camp Select Team selection in 2008, Cropper went on to be part of the U.S. U17 Residency at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Since then, he has turned professional, signing professional terms first with Ipswich Town before moving on to the English Premier League’s Southampton.
The U.S. will face Spain in its opening game of the tournament on June 21, followed by games with France on June 24 and Ghana on June 27. The top two teams from the group will automatically advance to the Round of 16, with the four best third-placed teams also advancing.