How Many USMNT Players Competed in Both FIFA U-20 World Cup and Senior World Cups?
Take a look at some of the USMNT greats who represented the U.S. in World Cups at both levels
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The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a pathway of promise to compete at the highest Youth National Team level, but also a potential path to a FIFA World Cup.
Historically, 44 U.S. Men’s National Team players have competed in the U-20 World Cup and gone on to make a senior team World Cup roster.
“This is the biggest stage for this age group [that] they have representing your country in the World Cup,” U-20 MNT head coach Marko Mitrović said. “It’s a great honor, great responsibility, and with that honor is the possibility that they can grow and that can help their careers, and the experience that they are going to have here can help them in future steps in their lives.”
Mitrović named 21 players to the World Cup roster Sept. 19, before the squad kicks off against New Caledonia in the USA’s first match on Monday, Sept. 29 in Rancagua, Chile. Prominent players on this roster could follow in the footsteps of USMNT stars from Tim Howard to Tim Weah.
Ahead of the U-20 World Cup, take a look back at some of the biggest USMNT players who competed in both tournaments:
Tim Howard, 1999 U-20 World Cup
Before Tim Howard set a FIFA World Cup record with 15 saves against Belgium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he was a standout for the U.S. Youth National Teams. In April 1999, Howard was selected for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Nigeria. The United States advanced out of the group stage before falling to eventual champions Spain in the knockout round.
Howard went on to become one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in USMNT history. He represented the senior team at three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), earning 121 caps and 42 clean sheets. Among modern-era USMNT goalkeepers, he is the all-time leader in overall cap and World Cup appearances — cementing his legacy as one of the top ‘keepers in U.S. Soccer history.
Landon Donovan, 2001 U-20 World Cup
Landon Donovan competed in the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina long before he finished his career as the USMNT’s joint all-time leading scorer with the second-most caps. Donovan had already gained recognition as the Golden Ball winner at the previously-named 1999 U-17 World Championship. In 2001, the USA reached the Round of 16 before falling to Egypt.
Donovan ended his storied USMNT career earning a total of 157 caps, scoring 57 goals and appearing in three World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010). He scored some of the most iconic goals for the National Team, including the dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010 that sent the Americans to the knockout stage.
Clint Dempsey, 2003 U-20 World Cup
Clint Dempsey was selected for the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on his journey to becoming one of the most decorated USMNT players in history. In the 2003 tournament, Dempsey and company made it past the group stage and took down Ivory Coast 2-0 before falling in a tightly-contested match in extra time against Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Dempsey went on to earn 141 caps and score 57 goals, tied for the most all-time with Donovan. He represented the crest at three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014). In addition to competing in World Cups, he leads the USMNT in World Cup Qualifying caps with 43. Known for his fearless playing style, Dempsey recorded some of the biggest goals in USMNT history, including a spectacular first-minute goal against Ghana in the 2014 World Cup.
Tyler Adams, 2017 U-20 World Cup
Tyler Adams represented the United States in the most recent 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and just five years prior, he was a Youth National Team player. Adams was 18 years old when he competed in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. The Americans advanced out of the group stage and beat New Zealand in a dominant 6-0 win to move on to the quarterfinal, where Venezuela topped the USA.
After starting every match of the tournament, Adams made his USMNT debut less than six months later on Nov. 14, 2017 at Portugal. The midfielder proved his keep on the senior team, helping the team qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and making the roster for Qatar. At just 23 years old, he donned the captain’s armband for all four matches, leading the second-youngest squad at the tournament.
Tim Weah, 2019 U-20 World Cup
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