U.S. national camps are nice revelations. When the top players in the country are brought into one location it gives you a chance, when evaluating talent, to confirm what you already thought you knew but also to learn about those with whom you weren’t familiar.

Here are a few of the players from this past week’s U18 camp in Carson, Calif., who weren’t necessarily on the radar heading into the camp but etched a nice little place in our memory bank.

Victor Vasquez, Chivas USA

Steeven Saba, Weston FC

Difficult to miss because of his unmistakable hairdo (looks like a cross between a fro and a beanie), Saba is dynamic player who takes chances on the pitch. Saba comes from Haiti, and his game certainly has a different feel to it than most of the other players who share the field.

Saba was apparently spotted by current Weston FC coach Alvin James while playing in a tournament in the Cayman Islands. Just a U16 player, Saba will actually be graduating high school this upcoming summer. We’ll definitely have more on his interesting story in the near future.

Victor Vasquez, Chivas USA

The coveted left-footed left-back, Vasquez stood out in camp because of his cross and striking ability from the back. In talking with his coach Samuel Rivas, Vasquez plays out of the back and the midfield for his team, and watching his diversity of skills it’s easy to see how.

“He has great technique with both legs, he makes a big difference for us,” Rivas said. “He understands the game well as a defender or attacker.”

Ryan Zinkhan, Richmond Strikers

Ryan Zinkhan, Richmond Strikers

Zinkhan is a dangerous goal-scorer who can create because of his speed. He has good height and is capable of playing through the air. Zinkhan performed particularly well in the final intra scrimmage to cap the camp Tuesday, often running circles around defenders.

He earned a couple days off

“I saw Ryan play maybe six months before he joined the team; I saw him over a period of three times and each time he really impressed me,” said Richmond Strikers coach Erwan Le Crom. “He is very aggressive and has a work rate above normal players. He has a great attitude and a lot going for him.”

These were just a few of the revelations in the 36-player gathering, but not the only ones. Stay tuned …

U.S.U18 Men's National Camp Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jonathan Kempin (Kansas City Wizards; Leawood, Kans.), Max Kurtzman (FC Delco; Bryn Mawr, Pa.); Adam Zepeda (Arsenal; Corona, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (12): Kevin Alvarenga (Rush Academy; Katy, Texas), David Caban (Chicago Fire; Kenosha, Wisc.), Sean Cunningham (Derby County Wolves; Troy, Mich.), George Fradenburg (Birmingham United; Belden, Miss.), Bryan Gallego (New York Red Bulls; Kinnelon, N.J.), Ricardo Hernandez (Arsenal; Fontana, Calif.), Matt Sheeleigh (PDA; New Vernon, N.J.), Aaron Simmons (Dallas Texans; Mansfield, Texas), Isaiah Trejo (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.), Victor Vasquez (Chivas USA; Cypress, Calif.), Eric Weberman (Derby County Wolves; Farmington, Mich.), Matthew Wiltse (PDA; Belle Mead, N.J.)

MIDFIELDERS (13): Nat Eggleston (Potomac; Chevy Chase, Md.), Oscar Gonzalez (New York Red Bulls, Clifton, N.J.), Matt Ingram (Indiana United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Miguel Lopez (Lonestar SC; Alton, Texas), Jon-Paul Medina (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Daniel Metzger (PDA; Holmdel, N.J.), Kevin Pahl (Clearwater Chargers; Lakeland, Fla.), Steve Palacios (United FC; San Clemente, Calif.), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bollingbrook, Ill.), Jimmy Petruccelli (Seacoast United; Brentwood, N.H.), Steeven Saba (Weston Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.), Scott Thomsen (PDA; Brick, N.J.), William Trapp (Columbus Crew; Gahanna, Ohio)

FORWARDS (8): Samuel Adjei (New York Red Bulls; Newark, N.J.), Zach Batteer (Beadling SC; Pittsburgh, Pa.), Bryce Follensbee (Florida Rush; Orlando, Fla.); Marcus Lacroix (NJSA; New Egypt, N.J.), Sean Okoli (Washington Premier; Federal Way, Wash.), Sekani Sinclair (Weston SC; Coral Springs, Fla.), Chris Somerville (FC Delco; West Chester, Pa.), Ryan Zinkhan (Richmond Strikers; Fredericksburg, Va.)