San Jose Earthquakes prospect boosts European stock at USYNT camp | OneFootball

With European scouts reportedly on hand, the 19-year-old Niko Tsakiris did not disappoint.

Tsakiris scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Japan on Monday, after he contributed an assist in a 3-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday, during two matches with the United States U-20 men's national team in Spain over the international break.

As a holder of a European passport, Tsakiris was of interest to several talent evaluators, according to GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert. The box-to-box midfielder is of Greek and Portuguese descent, and his father Shaun is an assistant on the U-20 staff.

The Quakes' miserable 2024 season provided Tsakiris an opportunity to play regularly at the MLS level, making 19 starts and 25 total appearances. So far he's been only on the fringes for Bruce Arena's revamped San Jose squad, playing only 12 first-team minutes in two appearances.

Despite San Jose's struggles on the senior level in recent years, the Quakes academy has had a role in producing some strong American pros, including current Inter Miami goalkeeper Cade Cowell, Real Salt Lake and USMNT midfielder Diego Luna and CD Guadalajara striker Cade Cowell.

Tsakiris wasn't the only MLS-related player to find the net during the camp. D.C. United's Kristian Fletcher, currently on loan playing with the Nottingham Forest reserves in England, scored a brace in the victory over Mexico. Atlanta United Homegrown Player Luke Brennan scored the other goal againt El Tri's U-20s.

Tsakiris, Fletcher and Brennan are among those preparing for the 2025 U-20 set for September and October in Chile and trying to build upon a quarterfinal appearance in the 2023 tournament. The Americans' all-time best showing at the event was a fourth-place finish in 1989.

Tsakiris could return to MLS action on Saturday night when San Jose hosts the Seattle Sounders looking to halt a three-match losing streak following a strong start.