Lagos Kunga named to USA’s U-20 World Cup roster

Atlanta United’s academy is sending one player to the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this month and who that is might be a bit of a surprise. After attending just one pre-tournament training camp, Lagos Kunga has earned a spot on Tab Ramos’ final roster to head to South Korea.

Kunga, 18, is a speedy winger who currently plays for Atlanta United’s U-18 team in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He is committed to attend Furman University in fall and has recently been recognized as a top candidate for Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year award.

“Lagos has shown how hard work and perseverance can pay off and this is a tremendous opportunity for him to showcase his abilities,” Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan said in a released statement. “We couldn’t be more proud to have someone like Lagos represent our club and our academy on the international stage. We look forward to watching him and wish the group best of luck in Korea.”

Other candidates to make this roster from Atlanta United included Miles Robinson and Brandon Vazquez, but they were not selected for the team. Here’s the full roster called up by Ramos:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (7): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur FC; Westcliff-on-Sea, England), Marlon Fossey (Fulham FC; Surbiton, England), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Las Cruces, N.M.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.), Gedion Zelalem (Arsenal FC; Bethesda, Md.)

FORWARDS (6): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC Academy; Tucker, Ga.) Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Emmanuel Sabbi (Unattached; Columbus, Ohio), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O'Fallen, Mo.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah)