The U.S. U-17 men’s team is one of U.S. Soccer Federation’s Youth National Teams, governed by the U.S. Soccer Federation. It serves as a critical stage in player development, providing international experience for top American youth. In line with the “U.S.

Way” philosophy, the program emphasizes intensive youth programming and club-national team collaboration to help players progress toward the senior team. By competing in CONCACAF championships and FIFA U-17 World Cups, the U-17 team aims to prepare prospects to eventually represent the United States at senior world events.

Historically, the U-17s have made a record 19 World Cup appearances (first in 1985) – more than any other nation – with a best finish of fourth place in 1999.

Current Roster and Key Players (2025)

The 2025 U-17 World Cup squad (born Jan. 1, 2008 or later) includes 21 players from 15 clubs (17 are in U.S. MLS systems). Key members include:

• Cavan Sullivan (MF, Philadelphia Union): A 15-year-old homegrown who became the second-youngest ever to start an MLS game in 2025.
• Julian Hall (FW, New York Red Bulls): Another teen forward, Hall scored in 2024 as the second-youngest goal scorer in MLS history.
• Chase Adams (FW, Columbus Crew): A striker who has featured in MLS NEXT Pro and MLS.
• Mathis Albert (FW, Borussia Dortmund youth): A U.S. youth international in Germany’s Dortmund academy.
• Nimfasha Berchimas (FW, Charlotte FC): A young forward who previously led the U.S. with three goals at the 2023 U-17 World Cup; he is the only American to score in two U-17 World Cups.

Additional contributors include defenders Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire), Jordan Griffin (Philadelphia), Pedro Guimaraes (Orange County SC), and midfielders Maximo Carrizo (NYCFC), Cooper Sanchez (Atlanta), Jude Terry (LAFC) and Mateo Tsakiris (LA Galaxy). (The full World Cup roster with clubs is shown below.)

Name	Position	Club (2025)
Jack Kortkamp	GK	Sporting KC
William Lodmell	GK	Sporting Lisbon (POR)
Aidan Stokes	GK	New York Red Bulls
Christopher Cupps	DF	Chicago Fire FC
Jordan Griffin	DF	Philadelphia Union
Pedro Guimaraes	DF	Orange County SC
Ramiz Hamouda	DF	Birmingham Legion
Enrique Martinez	DF	LA Galaxy
Gio Villa	DF	Real Salt Lake
Maximo Carrizo	MF	New York City FC
Luca Moisa	MF	Real Salt Lake
Cooper Sanchez	MF	Atlanta United
Cavan Sullivan	MF	Philadelphia Union
Jude Terry	MF	LAFC
Mateo Tsakiris	MF	LA Galaxy
Chase Adams	FW	Columbus Crew
Mathis Albert	FW	Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Nimfasha Berchimas	FW	Charlotte FC
Julian Hall	FW	New York Red Bulls
Jamir Johnson	FW	Philadelphia Union
Kellan LeBlanc	FW	Philadelphia Union

Roster source: U.S. Soccer Federation announcements.

Coaching Staff and Head Coach

The U-17 team is coached by Gonzalo Segares, a U.S. Soccer staff veteran. Segares joined U.S. Soccer in January 2020 (as U-15 coach) and in 2021 was elevated to lead the U-17s. A former MLS defender, Segares played 10 years with Chicago Fire and earned 19 caps for Costa Rica (appearing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup).

He holds a U.S. Soccer “A” license and has worked closely with senior coaches in recent years. Segares is supported by assistants Ross Brady and Paul Souders, and goalkeeper coach Mark Pais. (Ross Brady is a former Chicago Fire youth coach who served as Segares’s U-17 assistant in 2024.) Together the staff runs camps and matches as part of the U-17 national team program.

Recent Performances

CONCACAF U-17 Championship (2025 qualification)

In February 2025 the U.S. won its CONCACAF qualifying group in Costa Rica to reach the World Cup. Segares’s U-17s dominated Group F with lopsided wins: 22–0 vs. U.S. Virgin Islands, 7–0 vs. St. Kitts & Nevis, and 2–0 vs. Cuba. That sweep clinched one of CONCACAF’s eight berths for the expanded 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Fourteen of the players from the qualification campaign returned on the World Cup roster.

2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup (Qatar)

At the November 2025 World Cup in Qatar (first of five consecutive U-17 World Cups hosted there), the U.S. topped Group I with a perfect 3–0–0 record. The USA defeated Burkina Faso 1–0 (goal by Cavan Sullivan) in the opener, then won 2–1 vs. Tajikistan (goals by Nimfasha Berchimas and Cavan Sullivan).

A final 1–0 win over Czechia (Mathis Albert goal) secured first place. This was just the fourth time (1991, 1999, 2005) the U.S. won its U-17 World Cup group, and the first time in 20 years that all three group matches were won.

In the Round of 32, the Americans drew 1–1 with Morocco. Jude Terry scored early (21′) but Morocco equalized late (89′); Morocco then prevailed 4–3 on penalty kicks, eliminating the U.S. (Morocco went on to reach the quarterfinals.)

Development Pipeline and Notable Alumni

The U-17 program has long fed talent into higher age groups and the senior USMNT. Numerous current U.S. stars first played in U-17 World Cups. For example, ten members of the 2022 World Cup roster (Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Haji Wright and Tim Weah) all appeared in U-17 World Cup squads.

In total, 38 players who have been named to U.S. U-17 World Cup rosters have earned senior USMNT caps, and 18 have been on a senior World Cup roster. The U-17 World Cup is widely seen as a launching pad: legends like Landon Donovan (Golden Ball winner 1999) and current stars like Pulisic and Reyna all developed in this pipeline.

Upcoming Fixtures and Tournaments

Looking ahead, the next major assignment for this age group will be the 2026 CONCACAF U-17 Championship qualifiers (to qualify for the 2027 U-17 World Cup). In the March 2026 CONCACAF qualification tournament, the U.S. is drawn into Group E with the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.

The team will play three group-stage matches (in Central America in March) for a berth in the final tournament. Beyond that, the U-17s will continue training camps and friendly matches under Segares’s staff as part of the federation’s youth development calendar.