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U.S. Under-20s make tough cuts, leave door open for Zelalem

Tab Ramos named 20 players to the U.S. Under-20 World Cup roster Thursday, leaving a spot open for Gedion Zelalem while leaving behind several talented prospects.

NEW YORK — The announcement of the U.S. Under-20 World Cup roster didn't have any of the drama we saw when last year's World Cup squad was revealed, though there was a Donovan (Conor Donovan) and a Klinsmann (Jonathan Klinsmann) left out.

Those absences weren't the ones that turned heads Thursday, though — it was the handful of talented midfielders who missed out because of a glut of options in the middle, and, at least temporarily, because of the continued wait for Gedion Zelalem.