BRADENTON, Florida – The Concacaf Under-17 Championship is always an exciting tournament for many reasons. Not only is a berth in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at stake, but also the tournament provides the perfect showcase for Concacaf’s emerging stars.

The 2019 edition of the CU17 will certainly bring to the forefront more names that will grow increasingly familiar as the years go on. With that in mind, it is worth looking back on some players who used the CU17 as the springboard to bigger and better things in the world of football.

2005, Giovani dos Santos (MEX)

Dos Santos led a Mexico team that not only took top spot in its group at the CU17, but went on to win the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Dos Santos scored a pair of goals at the 2005 CU17, laying the groundwork for three appearances in a senior World Cup with the Mexican National Team.

2007, Marcos Urena (CRC)

Urena scored a goal and helped the Ticos advance to the 2007 Under-17 World Cup. Seven years later at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Urena would score Costa Rica’s third goal in a 3-1 group stage win over Uruguay.

2009, Joel Campbell (CRC)

Campbelll flexed his scoring muscles with two goals in powering the Ticos to the 2009 Under-17 World Cup. Five years later Campbell would get everyone’s attention by scoring in Costa Rica’s 3-1 win over Uruguay in the group stage at Brazil 2014.

Antony Lozano (HON)

also shined under the bright lights of the 2009 CU17, scoring four goals in helping the Catrachos reach the 2009 Under-17 World Cup. That performance was the genesis of a trajectory that currently sees Lozano battling the world’s best as a member of Girona in Spain’s LaLiga.

2013, Raul Gudino (MEX)

The CU17 has also been a place for GKs to show their wares, including Mexico’s Raul Gudino, who took home the Golden Glove Award at the 2013 CU17, and now serves as starting GK of Chivas.

2015, Christian Pulisic (USA)

Two years later at the 2015 CU17, United States national team fans took notice of a creative MF by the name of Christian Pulisic, whose play helped the U.S. qualify for the 2015 Under-17 World Cup. More than three years later, the full U.S. international was acquired by Premier League club Chelsea in what was the most expensive transfer ever for a Concacaf player.

No doubt, more future stars will be on display when the 2019 CU17 kicks off next week.