Pfeffer misses cut for U-20 World Cup Roster

Zach Pfeffer missed the cut for the 20-man U.S. Under-20 World Cup roster named by head coach Tab Ramos, but former Union Academy goalkeeper Zack Steffen is one of three goalkeepers on the roster who will travel to New Zealand.

Steffen will be appearing in his second U-20 World Cup. He and FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta become only the 8th ad 9th players to appear on the U.S. roster for two U-20 World Cups/Youth Championships.

Virginia goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, the only college player on the roster and Molde FK goalkeeper Ethan Horvath join Steffen on the roster. Steffen signed with Freiburg in Germany after two seasons at Maryland.

Defenders on the team include Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham), Matthew Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Shaquell Moore (Unattached), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City), Desevio Payne (FC Groningen) and John Requejo (Club Tijuana).

Midfielders include Acosta, Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Russell Canouse (Hoffenheim), Marco Delgado (Toronto FC), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham) and Joel Soñora (Boca Juniors).

Forwards include Union Academy alum Darius Madison's former teammate at Virginia Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht), Maki Tall (Red Star) and Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes).

Players will begin reporting next week to Carson, California and depart May 16 for training in Australia. The U.S. is in Group A with host New Zealand, Ukraine and Myanmar. They open play against Myanmar on May 30 at midnight eastern time. All three U.S. group matches will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and NBC Universo.

Pfeffer wasn't the only snub on Ramos' roster. Columbus Crew forward Romain Gall, who tied for the tournament lead with five goals at the CONCACA U-20 Championships and Junior Flores (Borussia Dortmund) were arguably bigger snubs than Pfeffer, who has been capped four times by the U-20 team and once by the U-23 team.