US U-20 men’s national soccer team features strong California ties

The U.S. U-20 men’s national team kicks off the CONCACAF Championship on Saturday with a roster that has a heavy Galaxy presence, past and present.

Defenders Jalen Neal (Lakewood) and Markus Fekranus (Santa Clarita) were called in, along with Galaxy academy products and Galaxy II former players Mauricio Cuevas (Los Angeles) and Alejandro Alvarado Jr. (Los Angeles). Both have moved to Europe since leaving.

The U.S. begins group play Saturday against Saint Kitts and Nevis (1 p.m.) and then faces Canada (5:30 Monday) and Cuba (5:30 p.m. Wednesday).

This tournament serves as the qualifier for the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the Olympic Games, a tournament the U.S. hasn’t participated in since 2008.

Cuevas, who left Galaxy II following the 2021 season, has since joined Club Brugge in Belgium. He is the lone player on the roster that played in the U-17 World Cup in 2017.

“He’s a top talent, someone we have blind confidence in,” U.S. U-20 coach Mikey Varas said of Cuevas. “He has a big career ahead of him if he gets the right opportunities and if he keeps pursuing relentlessly improvement.

“He brings a calm composure on the field, warrior mentality to compete and he’s an extremely skilled player for an outside back who can enter the attack very well.”

Neal, 18, and Ferkanus, 19, have spent the season with Galaxy II. Neal has made 12 appearances and 11 starts, while Ferkanus has made four appearances and two starts.

“They happen to be roommates and these are two completely different center backs,” Varas said. “One of our core values is having diverse opinions but also having diverse makeup of our roster. Markus is a hard-nosed defender first, fireman mentality, who is improving every day with the ball, plays simple and really helps the team.

“Jalen is a very composed player, who is incredible at breaking lines with his passes and helping spark the attack, while also bringing a calming presence to the backline.

“He’s growing every day. We believe both of these players have the possibilities for big futures.”

Alejandro Jr. made his Galaxy II debut in 2020. He’s since joined FC Vizela in Portugal.

The Mexican U-20 team has Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Perez (Pico Rivera) and LAFC’s Antonio Leone (Long Beach) and Christian Torres (Fontana). Mexico is grouped with Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname

“These matches are important for the growth and maturity of players,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “Playing in tough environments and tough situations will only help their development.”

U.S. U-23 women headed to Sweden

USC midfielder Croix Bethune, Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo (USC, St. Joseph HS), Florida State midfielder Jenna Nighswonger (Huntington Beach HS) and 17-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson were called up to the U-23 women’s team for the three-nations tournament.

The U.S. will face India (June 25) and Sweden (June 28).

Thompson, who played high school soccer at Harvard-Westlake, didn’t play her senior season. She was a member of the U-20 team that won the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship in March.

U.S. U-20 women to compete in France

USC forward Simone Jackson (Bishop Montgomery HS) and UCLA defender Lilly Reale were called up to the U-20 team for the Sud Ladies Cup in France.

The U.S. will face France (June 24), Mexico (June 26) and Netherlands (June 28). This is the final international games before coach Tracey Kevins selects the final roster for the U-20 World Cup (Aug. 10-28).