Philadelphia Union Trio named to USMNT U-20 World Cup Squad

Earlier today, USMNT Under-20s head coach Mikey Varas announced his squad for the upcoming Under-20 World Cup that will be taking place in Argentina from May 20 to June 11. Three players from the Philadelphia Union were selected.

The USMNT will be participating in Group B alongside Ecuador, Fiji, and Slovakia. The team was able to qualify through winning the 2022 Concacaf U20 Championship, which also saw the team qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2008.

THE 21 MAN ROSTER

The roster that Mikey Varas selected for this tournament will go as follows:

Goalkeepers: Gaga Slonina (Chelsea), Alex Borto (Fulham), Antonio Carrera (FC Dallas)

Defenders: Brandan Craig (Philadelphia Union), Justin Che (Hoffenheim), Mauricio Cuevas (LA Galaxy), Marcus Ferkranus (LA Galaxy), Jonathan Gomez (Real Sociedad), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City)

Midfielders: Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Daniel Edelman (New York Red Bulls), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders), Owen Wolff (Austin FC)

Forwards: Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Darren Yapi (Colorado Rapids)

UNION TRIO SELECTED

As shown above, the Philadelphia Union had three players selected to the World Cup roster by Mikey Varas. Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, and Brandan Craig will all be making the trip to Argentina to try and help bring home the U-20 World Cup trophy back to the United States.

🇺🇸 U-20 @FIFAWorldCup Call Up 🇺🇸

Homegrowns @JackMcGlynn7, @BrandanCraig1 and @QuinnSullivan33 have been called up to rep the stars and stripes!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/rxUPcov6aU
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 10, 2023

About a week ago, Jim Curtin said that the club will be releasing their players if they were called up, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them. Curtin said the following:

“Think about the kids too. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they may never get back again. To prevent them from playing in a U-20 World Cup? I’m sorry, I don’t agree with it.” Curtin went on to continue with this statement saying, “Maybe I’m in the minority there, but that’s what I believe in and that’s what our club believes in. Any of the guys that Mikey Varas calls in, we will excitedly release them.”

All in all, it will be exciting to see the trio of Sullivan, McGlynn, and Craig playing for the USMNT in the U-20 World Cup. The Union have always prioritized developing from their youth academy, and it is paying off again. The club has already seen Brendan Aaronson and Mark McKenzie play for the senior USMNT squad, and it seems that one of McGlynn, Sullivan, or Craig could be next in line.