The morning after the decision had been made, and the final 20 players for the U.S. Men’s U20 National Team squad had been selected for the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship, which kicks off on Friday in Costa Rica, former OKC Energy FC midfielder Coy Craft reflected on what the process that began in 2015 had been like.

“It’s cool to see how the team has changed over the years, and it’s cool to even be with some of the guys that you’ve been with for three to four years, but now there’s guys that you haven’t heard of for this entire time, and they make the team,” Craft said. “It’s kinda that cutthroat point where it’s all about performance.”

A Homegrown signing by FC Dallas in 2014, Craft’s first call-up to the U20s came in October of 2015 for the Four Nations Cup tournament in Germany. Of that squad, only six are on the plane to Costa Rica. That’s an indication of the diverse factors that have shaped Head Coach Tab Ramos’ squad, with availability, form, even players making a quicker jump from the U.S. U17s than was expected all playing a part in the process.

Still, with the business of qualifying for a World Cup at hand, the nature of the past three months – which saw numerous camps and a trip to Costa Rica as part of the final preparation – has been one that should have the side ready for what’s ahead.

“It’s interesting, because you’re all friends, but at the same time you’re all working for those 20 spots,” Craft said. “It’s unique, especially being together for so long. It’s hard to be together for months at a time, especially against guys who you’re competing against for the same spot. It is interesting, I’ve never really been part of something like this quite yet, but it’s been awesome, and I think we have a really good group of guys.”