The Thomas Rongen-coached U.S. U-20 men’s national team will be trying to secure its seventh consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance when it kicks off the eight-team CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Trinidad & Tobago with a group match vs. Jamaica on Friday.
The USA will go on to face Group A opponents Honduras on March 8 and El Salvador on March 10. Meanwhile in Group B, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico will battle it out with the host nation, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the World Cup to be played in Egypt from Sept. 24-Oct. 16.
If they qualify, the U.S. U-20s will be looking to match or build on a quarterfinal spot in the 2007 event, with midfielder Bryan Arguez, goalkeeper Brian Perk and defender Anthony Wallace returning from that team to lead the current squad.