The CONCACAF U-20 Championship kicks off on Friday, July 19th, and just like the number of teams that will feature in the competition, the MLS NEXT Pro representation remains equally as high.
David Vazquez, Jeevan Badwal, and Emi Ochoa headline a heavy contingent of players who will hope to lift the trophy by the tournament's end. All three players have played key roles during the MLS NEXT Pro season but put their respective club seasons on hold.
The United States enters the tournament having won the last three editions of the competition. They'll aim to extend their winning streak with talented players like Adam Beaudry, Ruben Ramos Jr., and Nimfasha Berchimas on the squad.
However, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras will be among the nations seeking to spoil the party for Michael Nsien's side.
Here is a closer look at some of the top players with MLS NEXT Pro experience set for CONCACAF U-20 Championship duty:
David Vazquez - Philadelphia Union II (United States)
A Philadelphia Union academy prospect set for CONCACAF U-20 Championship involvement. Where have we seen that before?
David Vazquez is one of several Union II talents who have impressed during the first half of the MLS NEXT Pro season. This season, Vazquez has totaled two goals and four assists for Marlon LeBlanc's squad, helping Union II to a first-place spot in the Eastern Conference.
The 18-year-old has picked up where he left off in 2023, which has led to even more opportunities with the Union's first team this year.
Jeevan Badwal - Whitecaps FC 2 (Canada)
2024 has certainly been good for 18-year-old Jeevan Badwal.
Badwal has scored two goals and registered three assists in 14 MLS NEXT Pro appearances for Whitecaps FC 2, helping the Canadian club take a key step forward this season.
A former Canada U-17 player, Badwal has jumped up to the U-20 level and will be one of several young talents that Canada fans will be excited to watch.
Emi Ochoa - The Town FC (Mexico)
Emi Ochoa is one of the highly-touted dual-nationals in MLS right now and Mexico will be the ones reaping the reward of having him in their squad.
The 19-year-old logged 35 MLS NEXT Pro appearances over the 2022-23 league campaigns for The Town FC, registering seven clean sheets. Ochoa has made five league appearances this year as he continues to wait for his MLS debut with the San Jose Earthquakes.
Mexico will hope that Ochoa can lead the hosts to a first U-20 title since 2015.
Mataeo Bunbury - Timbers2 (Canada)
Canada will hope that 19-year-old Mataeo Bunbury can play an impactful role in Mexico this month.
Bunbury is currently on his third team in as many MLS NEXT Pro seasons, making 14 appearances to date with Timbers2. The versatile forward has contributed two goals and one assist to date.
Son of former MLS forward Alex Bunbury, Mataeo has made over 45 appearances, totaling 10 goals and five assists between stops at Sporting KC II, Columbus Crew 2, and now Timbers2.
Rafael Mosquera - New York Red Bulls II (Panama)
Panama will certainly have creativity in its squad this summer with Rafael Mosquera coming into international duty.
Mosquera is in the midst of his second MLS NEXT Pro campaign with New York Red Bulls II, totaling two goals and one assist to date in 13 league appearances. The 19-year-old showed positive moments in his debut campaign with Red Bulls II and has since carried that over into his sophomore season.
Mosquera will be one to watch for Panama in Group C play.
Dairon Reyes - Inter Miami II (Cuba)
Dairon Reyes has featured in each of the last three Inter Miami II seasons and now heads into a major tournament with Cuba's Under-20 side.
Reyes, 20, has totaled three goals and five assists in 30 combined appearances, logging over 1,600 minutes of playing time in MLS NEXT Pro.
With 14 senior caps already under his belt, Reyes is one of the more experienced players in the tournament.
Ashton Gordon - ATL UTD 2 (Jamaica)
17-year-old Ashton Gordon will be one of the youngest players involved in Mexico this summer.
Gordon has started in four of his seven appearances for ATL UTD 2 this season. The versatile forward has registered five shots and logged just under 300 minutes of action.
Jamaica's attack features several versatile attacking pieces and Gordon is certainly one of them.
Matthew Evans - LAFC2 (Guatemala)
Guatemala will rely heavily on Matthew Evans' leadership in the squad.
Evans is midway through his second campaign with LAFC2, logging 14 appearances and two goals in 2024. The 18-year-old midfielder has played a key role in Junior Gonzalez's squad and now takes his talents into his first major competition with Guatemala.
Guatemala will meet Mexico, Panama, and Haiti in Group C.
Cruz Medina - The Town FC (United States)
Another The Town FC leader is midfielder Cruz Medina.
The 17-year-old Medina has totaled 50 MLS NEXT Pro appearances since debuting in 2022, logging four goals and three assists. A former U.S. Under-17 men's national team standout, Medina has made the jump to the Under-20s for this competition.
He is another dual-national who is eligible to represent Mexico in the future, should he choose that route.
Taha Habroune - Columbus Crew 2 (United States)
Taha Habroune is another former U.S. Under-17 men's national team standout seeking an immediate impact with the Under-20s.
The 18-year-old scored five goals in 13 appearances for the USMNT U-17 team and is in the midst of his second MLS NEXT Pro season with Columbus Crew 2. A clever attacking midfielder, Habroune will be joined by Cruz Medina, among several others in Michael Nsien's squad.
To explore all the 2024 Concacaf Under-20 Championship rosters, click here.
