Having only turned 18 this past week, Tyler Adams (aka AmeriKante) is the second-youngest player on Under-20 head coach Tab Ramos' team for the upcoming CONCACAF U-20 Championship tournament, which begins for the U.S. on Saturday against Panama. However, if Ramos' recent statements are any indication, Adams won't be merely sitting on the sidelines.

In a Thursday teleconference transcribed on USSoccer.com, Ramos stated that age would not be a factor when deciding on which group of players would take the field. He added that Adams and Monterrey MF Jonathan Gonzalez - the two youngest members of the team - are both "ready to contribute" and believes they will both "be a big part of the tournament."

Ramos: "As far as Tyler and Jonathan at midfield, they're both players capable of helping this group. As you've know, age has never really mattered to me. I try to pick the best group I can pick. Those two guys happen to be two years younger, but I think they're ready to contribute just like anybody else. I think they will and will be a big part of this tournament."

Since earning his first caps with the U-20 team several months ago, Adams has skyrocketed up the team's midfield depth chart, earning a call-up to the January and February training camps and beating out over half-a-dozen older players to secure a spot on the final roster for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.