FIFA U-20 World Cup-bound Tommy Thompson's game budding

U.S. U-20 MNT's Tommy Thompson

Former Sacramento Republic FC loanee Tommy Thompson was named to the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team’s World Cup roster earlier this month, and his first inclusion with the U-20s was a hectic experience.

Thompson made his U-20 debut at the 2014 National Training Center Invitational in mid-July, but he was not an original part of that tournament. Thompson was an alternate, and he was in the early stages of his USL loan with Republic FC when he received a call-up in the midst of the NTC Invitational.

“We had just played Richmond and I was on the bus when I got a phone call from an unknown number,” Thompson said. “I was on my way to play the Charlotte Eagles at the time, and the Federation asked me if I wanted to fly to L.A. to play with the U-20s against Bermuda and Australia. I said yes, if you can get me out there. So after the game against Charlotte, I booked a flight out directly after that game, took a cab, flew straight to L.A. and started against Bermuda.”

Read more at uslsoccer.com.

U.S. U-20 MNT's John Requejo solidifies craft at left back

U.S. U-20 MNT defender and recent Club Tijuana signing John Requejo chatted with me during the 2014 National Training Center Invitational to talk about his role at left back, while Tab Ramos also praised his attacking prowess from the back.

U.S. U-20 MNT's Wil Trapp evolving under Brian Bliss's eyes

U.S. U-20 MNT's Wil Trapp

For anyone who has followed the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team leading up to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, they would know just how consistent and essential midfielder Wil Trapp has been throughout the year for this group.

The Gahanna, Ohio, native rose through the ranks at the Columbus Crew's Development Academy, earned a professional homegrown contract with the club late last year, and now he is coming off a 1-1 draw against France on June 24 in the U-20 World Cup -- a game that featured Trapp wearing the captain's armband.

Watching Trapp's rise front-and-center has been Crew technical director Brian Bliss, who joined the MLS organization in 2008 and has been Trapp's assistant coach for the U-20 MNT and head coach Tab Ramos.

"He was the crown jewel in our system ever since he was about 14," Bliss said. "We have signed some previous homegrown players before Wil, but none had the accomplishments that Wil had at the youth level and college, as well."

For more, visit ussoccer.com.