USA were drawn alongside New Zealand in Group A at the official draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 last week.
Moorhouse says given USA’s past achievements on New Zealand soil – in particular their 1999 FIFA U-17 fourth place finish – he has a good feeling about this year’s event.
“It’s very exciting to be in a World Cup with the host nation,” he says.
“That adds a lot of spice to an event and just makes it more exciting.”
As well as New Zealand, USA have debutants Myanmar as well as Ukraine to contend with in Group A and coach Tab Ramos isn’t taking any of them lightly.
“I think the draw went every well and it’s a draw where we can be successful if we play at the best level possible,” Ramos says.
“These are teams who have eliminated other great teams to get here, and sometimes just reading the names doesn’t do fair justice.”
He remains especially weary of the 2 June encounter where the Kiwis will look to make a strong run towards the next stage at their home base.
“New Zealand has been training together and should be very well prepared,” Ramos says.
“They will want to do well at home since they will have the support of the home crowd. Soccer is an up-and-coming sport there, and they will have that weight on their shoulders to go along with the excitement of the tournament.
“All of that will make them a dangerous side.”
USA are themselves a relatively dangerous entity.
Young debutants in the new senior cycle Rubio Rubin and Emerson Hyndman should be available, while Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has declared his intention to play for USA and could make his debut.
One player they’re unlikely to be able to call on is Julien Green, who scored with his first touch at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as he played for Germany in the preliminary rounds of the 2014 UEFA U-19 Championship which served as the qualifier for the U-20 World Cup.
Stepping up their preparations following the draw, the USA U-20 have announced matches against Tottenham’s U-21 and England’s U-20 as well as hit outs against Qatar and Greece for a start.
“Our preparation is going to be good,” Ramos says.
“It will be the right preparation for the teams we’re playing in the World Cup, so I’ve been very happy with our planning.”

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