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The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team was created to aid in the transition for younger players between the Under-17 Men’s National Team and the Under-20 side. The Under-18 age group is for players born in the odd-numbered years, who fall in a gap between the Under-17 and the Under-20 age groups.
At the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in UAE, 10 of the players on the U.S. Under-20 roster had spent time with the Under-18 Men’s National Team program, and those players in the current pool born since January 1, 1989, are eligible for the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship in Canada.
Although less heralded, the U.S. Under-18s have been one of U.S. Soccer’s most successful teams in the past five years, posting a 58-37-30 record and collecting a trophy from a foreign tournament in four out of the past seven years.
“We will continue to put these players in competitive situations as much as possible to help them improve and prepare them for the next level,” said Jenkins. “Continuing player development is still the most important aspect at this level and with the large number of talented players we have in this group, I have no doubt over the next few years they will continue to progress through the National Team programs.”
This year under Jenkins, the U-18s will kick off 2005 with a 58-player mega-camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. For the remainder of the year, the U-18s will have another domestic camp before taking part in the Slovakia Cup in April and the 13th Lisbon International Tournament in June.
In 2005, the U-18s compiled a 7-5-5 overall record, including a 4-2-1 international record. Jenkins squad kicked off the season at a highly competitive tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, where they faced youth teams from first division clubs. In their first main camp together, the U-18s showed well, drawing all three of their group matches with Atlas, Chivas and Monterrey, before falling 2-1 in a rematch with Chivas. After the tournament, the U.S. faced Holland in a friendly match, winning 3-2.
After two training camps in Bradenton, Fla., and Carson, Calif., the U-18s took part in two international tournaments. In June, the U.S. competed in the 12th Lisbon International Tournament, falling to Portugal and Portland in their first two matches, before closing with a 2-1 victory over Japan.
In August, the U-18s had their biggest success of the year, taking first place at the 2005 Northern Ireland Milk Cup for the first time ever. The U.S. drew 1-1 with Brazil and defeated Serbia & Montenegro 1-0 in group play to advance to the final against Northern Ireland. In the final, the host scored first, but forward Charlie Davies notched a hat trick to lead the U.S. to a 4-2 victory.
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U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team 
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