Soccer News: UVA stars Caldwell, Allen named to U.S. U-20 World Cup roster

UVA soccer rising sophomore goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell (Todd, N.C.) and former UVa standout Jordan Allen have been named to the United States roster for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is slated for May 30-June 20 in New Zealand. U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team head coach Tab Ramos announced the first 20 players to the 21-man roster on Thursday.

Caldwell is the only active college player on the U.S. roster. Currently playing for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, Allen is one of seven MLS players to earn a spot on the squad.

Caldwell played in two games at UVa as a freshman during the Cavaliers’ national championship season in 2014. He has extensive experience in the U.S. national team training system and played with the U.S. U-17 and U-18 national teams.

Allen played one season at Virginia, earning All-ACC honors while helping the Cavaliers to the NCAA College Cup in 2013. He has started in three of his eight appearances this season for Real Salt Lake, scoring the game-winning goal against Toronto FC on March 29 for his first career MLS goal. The 20-year-old is in his second MLS season after signing as a Homegrown player prior to the 2014 season.

Players will begin reporting May 11 to the National Training Center in Carson, California. The group departs May 16 for training in Australia, where the remaining players will join the camp prior to arrival in New Zealand.

The U.S. was drawn into Group A with host New Zealand, Ukraine and Myanmar. The team opens group play against Myanmar at 12 a.m. ET on May 30 in Whangarei, followed by matches with New Zealand on June 2 and Ukraine on June 5, both of which will be played in Auckland. All of the U.S.’s group matches will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and NBC Universo.

Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jeff Caldwell (University of Virginia; Todd, N.C.), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Zack Steffen (Freiburg; Downingtown, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (6): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur; Westcliff on Sea, England), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (Unattached; Powder Springs, Ga.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Desevio Payne (FC Groningen; Greenwood, S.C.), John Requejo (Club Tijuana; Carpinteria, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim; Lancaster, Pa.), Marco Delgado (Toronto FC; Glendora, Calif.), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham; Dallas, Texas), Joel Soñora (Boca Juniors; Buenos Aires, Argentina)
FORWARDS (5): Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake; Rochester, N.Y.), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht; Beaverton, Ore.), Maki Tall (Red Star; Washington, D.C.), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes; Loomis, Calif.)