Two of MLS’s brightest young stars, forwards Freddy Adu (D.C. United) and Josmer Altidore (New York), head the group of 19 players Coach Thomas Rongen called up for the U.S. Under-20 national team’s friendly match against Guatemala on Nov. 15 at Florida Atlantic University Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.
The match comes just two months before the U-20s will attempt to qualify for their sixth straight U-20 World Cup when they take part in the 2007 CONCACAF qualifying tournament this winter in either Mexico or Panama.
Of the 19 players on the roster, 12 are pros playing in Major League Soccer or overseas. The three overseas players are forward Johann Smith, who recently debuted at Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, defender Neven Subotic, who signed this summer with Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga, and goalkeeper Nicholas Skverer, who was born in the United States but has lived most his life in the Netherlands, where he has played for the Dutch U-17 and U-18 national teams. Other MLS players include midfielder Quavas Kirk and defender Nathan Sturgis, who both received lots of playing time for the Los Angeles Galaxy.