Tom's Predictions For The 2024 U.S. Men's Olympic Roster
Last article, Tom broke down his predictions and analysis on his hopes for the USMNT roster for this summer in the 2024 Copa America. If you haven’t checked out that article, here it is, it might explain some roster decisions for later on in this article.
In version 2 of my summer U.S. soccer roster breakdown, I am going to take a look into my picks for the 2024 Olympic men’s roster. For those who are not aware, soccer at the men's olympic level is a U-23 competition. So all players on each roster must be born on or after January 1st, 2001. There are up to three spots on each roster in which countries are allowed to have overage players play. The only other difference for the Olympic roster is that only 22 players are allowed, NOT the traditional 23. Here we are, my hopes and picks for the 2024 U.S. U-23/Olympic roster:
Goalkeepers:
Gaga Slonina - K.A.S. Eupen (Belgian Pro League)
Patrick Schulte - Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
The next crop of U.S. goalkeepers seems like a very talented one. Gaga Slonina is already on the books for a Premier League side, on loan in another good European league, and an every game starter for his club. It hasn’t been a great season for K.A.S. Eupen in Belgium, but Gaga has looked as strong as he could in net for them. Paired with him is Columbus’s young keeper Patrick Schulte who has been a FORCE for Columbus from his MLS Next Pro days to now in CONCACAF Champions League. The only other keeper that you could really argue to be in this group is Chris Brady. Brady is still very young, even compared to a guy like Schulte. I have hopes for him but I don’t think he is near the level of the two shot stoppers I have on my roster.
Next guys up: Chris Brady, John Pulskamp, & Gavin Beavers
Leftbacks:
Caleb Wiley - Atlanta United (MLS)
John Toklin - New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Outside of the midfield, I think that this was maybe my toughest group to pick from. There are a lot of strong young left-backs in the U.S. 's pool, which is fantastic to see as this was a problem position for so long for the senior team. But, with guys like Caleb Wiley and John Tolkin, the future seems bright. Wiley at only 19 years old is off to another fantastic season at outside back for Atlanta United. John Tolkin is back healthy for the Red Bulls who look dominant under new manager Sandro Schwartz. These two are playing at the tops of their games and I think are the easy first and second choice options. Both are playing themselves into a European roster sooner rather than later as well.
Next guys up: George Bello & Jonathan Gomez
Rightbacks:
Marlon Fossey* - Standard Liege (Belgian Pro League)
Nathan Harriel - Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Here is the first of my three “over 23 years old” player additions. For as strong as leftback was for this group, rightback failed to have the same level of competition. When I initially created this roster I made an all U-23 aged roster and then looked for the holes to plug in. This is no disrespect to Jake Davis, but we needed another starting caliber rightback to pair along with Nathan Harriel who has played very well for Philadelphia over the last 18 months. With Sergino Dest out and the likes of Joe Scally/Bryan Reynolds making my senior team roster, I decided to give Marlon Fossey international love and place him on the Olympic team. Fossey is one that doesn’t always get the international love from USMNT fans and I’d argue is widely overlooked. Playing in Belgium’s top division, Fossey should finish with over 2,000 minutes played. Give him the opportunity to prove he deserves a chance at the senior team with a strong Olympic performance.
Next guys up: Jake Davis
Centerbacks:
George Campbell - CF Montreal (MLS)
Jonathan Tomkinson - Bradford City (EFL League Two)
Mark McKenzie* - Genk (Belgian Pro League)
Maximilian Dietz - Greuther Furth (2.Bundesliga)
Well… it didn’t last too long but I used my second “over 23 years old” player with this centerback group. And it’s not to say that the U-23 centerback options were bad, but it hasn’t been anyone who has been playing great soccer as of late. Adding Mark McKenzie to a group of young centerbacks provides so much on and off the field. McKenzie has proven to be a vocal leader and on the field even trusted by Gregg Berhalter to start a game versus Mexico. Other than McKenzie I went with 2.Bundesliga standout Maximilian Dietz who has played a TON of Greuther Furth. I am not a transfer insider, but I would think he has impressed enough to be at a higher level organization next European season. 22 year old George Campbell has played a good amount for CF Montreal this MLS season and I think safely secures a spot here. Finally, is Jonathan Tomkinson who is playing down in the English 4th division. This might be a strange one but the 22 year old has been playing a ton for a team who have been finishing their European season strong. Tomkinson is also at Bradford City on loan from Norwich City who are looking to make their promotion to the Premier League happen once again this season.
Next guys up: Jalen Neal, Joshua Wynder, & Noah Cobb
Defensive Midfielders:
Aidan Morris - Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
Tanner Tessmann - Venezia (Serie B)
Another deep group of talented and widely experienced players here. Aidan Morris is already a two time MLS Cup Champion and a starting defensive midfielder on what many consider the best team in all of MLS. Morris and Columbus’s run in 2024 I think should place him into a big time role for this group. With Morris I’d love to see former FC Dallas man Tanner Tessmann. Did you know that he is Dabo Swinney’s godson? All jokes aside, Tessmann has been fantastic for one of the best clubs in the Italian 2nd division, helping them get into a promotion push of their own. He is hitting a point of his career where U.S. fans need to start getting used to his name around rosters for sure. I have to give love to the Sounders duo of Vargas and Atencio who have played in some pretty big games in their careers as well. It mainly more at this point in 2024, their performances haven’t been at the same level of an Aidan Morris/Tanner Tessmann duo.
Next guys up: Obed Vargas, Josh Atencio, & Daniel Edelman
Central Midfielders:
Brenden Aaronson* - Union Berlin (Bundesliga)
Cole Bassett - Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Gianluca Busio - Venezia (Serie B)
Jack McGlynn - Philadelphia Union (MLS)
I have a feeling this is where people are going to dislike this roster a ton. I picked my third and final over 23 years old player here. I added Brenden Aaronson to this group as someone who missed the cut of the senior roster AND could bring some “been there, done that” leadership to the youth side. This is a young player who is playing in a top 5 league, who has been on a World Cup roster, and who could now teach some things to a talented core of midfielders and wingers. To me, Gianluca Busio (another standout at Venezia this season) and Jack McGlynn were the easy to write-ins for this group. But picking another two names out of the larger crop was tough. I feel like this group is one that has a lot of potential, OR injury issues, OR haven’t strung performances together long term. The final spot for me had to go to Cole Bassett for what we’ve seen this season in Colorado. He’s already impressed enough at a level for a European move and for the most part, has strung together solid performances for a club that isn’t always the easiest to play at. But I could see an argument for any of the other names I listed below.
Next guys up: Rokas Pukstas, Paxten Aaronson, Quinn Sullivan, Benjamin Cremaschi, Owen Wolff, & Aziel Jackson
Wingers:
Cade Cowell - Chivas Guadalajara (Liga MX)
Diego Luna - Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Griffin Yow - Westerlo (Belgian Pro League)
Kevin Paredes - Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)
This is actually a really fun group if you ask me. You have a youngster in Kevin Paredes who seemingly had a breakout season for Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga. Though it hasn’t been a traditional “winger” role at Wolfsburg, Paredes has made 26 appearances across all competitions this season, and I’d expect more responsibility next season for him. Another European standout this season that played his way onto this roster has to be Griffin Yow. The former D.C. United man has had maybe his best season as a professional while playing in Belgium. For Westerlo, Yow has 7 goals and 6 assists across all competitions at only 21 years old. Adding to the former D.C. United kid, I went with Chivas’s Cade Cowell and Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna. I know Cowell is struggling to find consistency in Mexico right now, BUT, he’s been part of this group in the past and there is no denying his talent level. He might be the most talented true winger in the pool by a good margin. Diego Luna has been publicly vocal about his own struggles this season for Real Salt Lake… but again, we know that the talent is there! I have faith that both Cowell and Luna will find their way for club, and maybe that comes through Olympic performances.
Next guys up: Taylor Booth, Brian Gutierrez, Esmir Bajraktarevic, & Bernard Kamungo
Strikers:
Ricardo Pepi - PSV (Eredivisie)
Duncan McGuire - Orlando City SC (MLS)
The final and maybe strongest position group for this roster, striker. It’s wild to think that I didn’t have to use an over 23 years old roster spot on a talent like Ricardo Pepi. The 21 year old striker might be coming off of a struggle filled season at PSV, but Pepi is still someone that U.S. fans should be filled with confidence around leading an Olympic side roster. Yes, he’s been outplayed by the likes of Balogun, Sargent, Wright, and even Vazquez this season. But, 9 goals and 2 assists for PSV is still productive enough to have Pepi easily in this group. The other striker goes to Orlando’s Duncan McGuire. After a drama-filled off-season where he had two moves to the EFL Championship seemingly disappear in thin air, McGuire has bounced back strongly! Even with Orlando City struggling on the field, the 23 year old has scored 5 goals in 11 games this year. I think with his performance and what you hope is a move to the EFL Championship coming this summer, you have to add McGuire to this group with Pepi.
Next guys up: Kahveh Zahiroleslam, Damion Downs, & Darren Yapi
There you have it folks! Two articles, two rosters, and fifty five players. How do you like the looks of this Olympic team to represent the red, white, and blue this summer?
Goalkeepers: Gaga Slonina, Patrick Schulte
Fullbacks: John Tolkin, Caleb Wiley, Marlon Fossey*, Nathan Harriel
Centerbacks: Mark McKenzie*, Maximilian Dietz, George Campbell, Jonathan Tomkinson
Midfielders: Tanner Tessmann, Aidan Morris, Brenden Aaronson*, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, Cole Bassett
Wingers: Kevin Paredes, Diego Luna, Cade Cowell, Griffin Yow
Strikers:Ricardo Pepi, Duncan McGuire
