Kreis Tabs Top U.S. U-23 Talents for Olympic Qualifying Prep Camp

Players like Richie Ledezma, Chris Richards, Alex Mendez and Sebastian Soto will suit up for the camp that concludes with a closed-door friendly vs. El Salvador.

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Jason Kreis has a top-tier collection of U.S. Under-23 talent at his disposal for the upcoming Olympic qualification preparatory camp.

Players like U-20 World Cup standouts Richie Ledezma, Chris Richards, Alex Mendez, Chris Gloster and Sebastian Soto headline the squad, whose camp at Florida International University in Miami will culminate with a closed-door friendly vs. potential Concacaf qualifying tournament foe El Salvador on Oct. 15. 

The U.S. men have failed to qualify for each of the last two Olympic tournaments, staggeringly unable to get through Concacaf qualifying since doing so for the 2008 Games. There's plenty of pressure on this group to end the drought and reach the 16-team competition, which serves as a valuable tool for player development and doubles as a showpiece event for stars on the rise.

In addition to the core of the most recent USA U-20 World Cup team, Kreis has tabbed Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson and Mason Toye and four players from Real Salt Lake. An intriguing addition is that of Johnny Cardoso, an 18-year-old midfielder from New Jersey who just made his debut in Brazil's top flight for Internacional.

Elsewhere, FC Dallas noticeably does not have any players on the squad, a sign that perhaps the club did not make players like Paxton Pomykal, Edwin Cerrillo and Jesus Ferreira available. FCD's 21-year-old right back Reggie Cannon is with the senior team this month, while Philadelphia Union 18-year-old playmaker Brenden Aaronson is also with Gregg Berhalter's side for Nations League matches vs. Cuba and Canada.

Clubs are not required to release players for U-23 camps, even if they take place during official FIFA windows, but the U.S. was able to secure the arrival of the vast majority of its top talents nevertheless.

“I am very happy that the majority of MLS and European clubs have continued to be supportive of our efforts by allowing their players to join us in camp,” Kreis said in a statement. “We’re continuing to build a team and a playing style that we feel will give us the best possible chance of qualifying for the Olympics in 2020. These last few camps of 2019 are meant to be about wrapping up evaluation and beginning to move towards some consistency, rhythm and understanding.”

Here is the USA U-23 squad in full:

GOALKEEPERS: Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake), Brady Scott (Koln)

DEFENDERS: Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Chris Gloster (PSV Eindhoven), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids)

MIDFIELDERS: Christian Cappis (Hobro), Johnny Cardoso (Internacional), Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United), Chris Durkin (Sint-Truiden), Richard Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Mendez (Ajax), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS: Omir Fernandez (New York Red Bulls), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake), Sebastian Soto (Hannover 96), Mason Toye (Minnesota United)