The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team will face Morocco on March 22 and Norway on March 25 during a training camp in Marbella, Spain, from March 17-25. This camp serves as a crucial development opportunity for players born in 2007, all of whom are age-eligible for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup and will form the core of the squad aiming to qualify for the 2027 edition.
Marlon LeBlanc, former Philadelphia Union II head coach, will lead the team. LeBlanc, who guided Union II to an MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference title last season, is joined by a coaching staff that includes Kevin Martinez (formerly of FC Dallas), Clint Peay (former New England Revolution assistant and U-15 BNT head coach), and Liam Curran (former Atlanta United FC goalkeeper coach).
The 20-player roster features talent from 13 different MLS clubs, with Atlanta United FC, Inter Miami CF, LA Galaxy, and Orlando City SC each sending two players. Additionally, three players currently play abroad: Dino Klapija (RB Leipzig, Germany), Darius Lane (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), and Axel Perez (Lyon, France). Notably, Florida leads all states with six representatives, including players from Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC, and other clubs.
Twelve players return from the U-18s’ last competition at the 26th International Youth Football Tournament in Japan, where Justin Ellis and Aiden Hezarkhani were among those who scored. Eight players have already signed MLS Homegrown contracts, and two—Zackory Campagnolo and Santiago Morales—previously competed for the U.S. at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
As one of the most exciting and highly anticipated groups in U.S. Soccer, all eyes will be on this team to see which players can make the leap from promising talent to top prospect.
