The United States Under-20 Men’s National Team is currently competing at the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile, looking to improve on the program’s fourth-place finish at the 1989 competition. Some of the world’s
best young talents have gathered to compete for silverware, with the additional benefit of perhaps being scouted by a top-division club. Taha Habroune was named to the roster and featured in the opener, building off a busy season in Major League Soccer. The 19-year-old Columbus Crew midfielder is an improving talent with the potential to play in Europe and could be the subject of a move in the near future.
Born in Columbus, Ohio and the son of a former professional player in Morocco, Habroune played with Blast FC before joining the Columbus Crew academy in 2019 after being “scouted in a local tournament.” Playing up an age level, he was named the tournament’s most valuable player and to the Rising XI at the 2023 Generation adidas Cup while leading the Under-17 squad to the semifinal round. The “special talent” was then selected “to represent the [club]” in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.
“[Crew players] have to be brave and bold,” said technical director Marc Nicholls. “Taha is actually a really good example of that. When the game’s on the line, he seems to be at his best. I’ve seen him in a number of games. Just when maybe the game’s drifting away from you or you need a goal, he tends to be somebody that has a unique kind of profile where he makes something happen.”
After including him in senior training and making his professional debut, the club signed him to a reserve-team contract. In his first season, he made 20 total appearances, contributing four goals and three assists as Columbus Crew 2 reached the final of the MLS NEXT Pro. Additionally, his first-team debut came in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a single-minute substitute cameo in the 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Last year, Habroune bounced between the senior and reserve levels after signing a first-team contract through 2027 with an option for 2028. He made seven appearances in MLS NEXT Pro, reaching the semifinal round of the playoffs. Often included on the bench, the midfielder featured in five MLS fixtures, including starting and going 69 minutes in a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake.
Habroune opened this season by immediately picking up minutes, featuring in both legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s Round of 16 aggregate defeat to Los Angeles FC. Being “brought along at a steady pace,” he made sporadic appearances before grabbing a starting role in July and has picked up 21 matches across all competitions, contributing two assists and earning Man of the Match in a 3-1 Leagues Cup win against Puebla FC. His first senior goal came in a 4-2 victory over FC Cincinnati by “beating several players to a loose ball and outrunning [the goalkeeper before] sending his shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.”
At the international level, Habroune is eligible for the United States by birth and Morocco through his heritage and contributed three goals and an assist in six appearances for the former program’s Under-17 squad that finished second at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. He then started three times at the ensuing World Cup and scored in the 3-2 loss against Germany in the Round of 16. His performance during the silver-medal run at the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship saw him put in a star turn with a finish and two helpers in the 4-0 group stage victory over Cuba. Head coach Marko Mitrović secured a release and named him to the roster for the current U-20 World Cup, subbing him into the 9-1 opening victory over New Caledonia in the 57th minute; shortly after, his slotted finish from Frankie Westfield’s centering pass added to the scoreline.
Standing at six feet tall, Habroune is a hard-worker on the defensive side, takes an active role in the build-up with accurate distribution and regular dribbling progression, and contributes the occasional goal. Described as a “slick-passing number eight” and a “ball progression machine with veteran-level off-ball instincts,” observers praise his “confidence on the ball and promising attacking instincts,” capable of “slaloming through the midfield” in order to “find his teammates in dangerous positions.” Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy notes his technical quality, ability to play within the lines, and “passing behind the lines.”
“A highlight of Habroune’s performance was his effectiveness in duels, winning the ball and initiating counter-attacks,” wrote Falmouth Scout. “His defensive contributions were complemented by his adept ability to set the tempo for his team when in possession, showcasing leadership on the field… His knack for opportunistic scoring, coupled with composure in high-pressure situations, positions him as a valuable asset in any team’s attacking lineup. Habroune’s ability to capitalize on chaos makes him a standout player with a promising future in football… Habroune showcases a dynamic skill set as a box-to-box midfielder, excelling in various aspects of the game. His ability to exploit the half-space, transition play, and defensive contributions make him a valuable asset.”
Habroune is in the midst of a breakout season with the Crew and has the opportunity to help lead the United States to glory at the U-20 World Cup. With solid performances, he can perhaps attract transfer interest from clubs in Europe and secure a move abroad. Further development could also see him moving into the senior international level during the next cycle.
