U.S. Men's National Team head coach Dave Sarachan has added some potent experience to the group of prospects in the MNT’s next generation, calling 24 players to Tampa to prepare for the Kickoff Series matches against two more top-25 opponents in South American foes Colombia and Peru.
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for the next stop of the Kickoff Series when the United States will host 14th-ranked Colombia on Oct. 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. FS1, UniMas and UDN will broadcast the match beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. [KICKOFF SERIES TICKETS]
The final home match of the Kickoff Series pits the MNT against 21st ranked Peru on Oct. 16 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. ESPN2, UniMas and UDN will broadcast live beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Fans can follow both matches on U.S. Soccer's official Facebook, Twitter (@ussoccer_MNT) and Instagram (@ussoccer_MNT) accounts.
“I’m excited about the upcoming games and I’m excited about the group of players that we have selected’ Sarachan said. “There is a consistent group of younger players that we’ve had over the past friendlies and added some new faces I’m looking forward to seeing up close. We will have Christian Pulisic back, and there is also the addition of a couple veteran players in Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan, so there is a lot to look forward to in these next Kickoff Series matches.”
All six of the MNT opponents in the Kickoff Series are in the Top 25 of the FIFA World Rankings. Having fallen to Brazil (3) before shutting out Mexico (15), the U.S. will close out the series away to England (6) and Italy (20). The six-match set will provide the aspiring young U.S. side with top-level competition at the start of their four-year journey toward the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
RESTART ROLLING
With the 2022 cycle officially underway, the process of elevating a rising crop of internationals is already in motion. Since November of last year, a total of 18 players have debuted for the senior MNT. Seventeen of them came in under 24 years old at the time of their first caps, while 10 will be age-eligible to represent the U-23 MNT in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. ussoccer.com has profiled 11 of these hopefuls at the start of the new video series RISING: Emerging Faces of the U.S. Men’s National Team, which chronicle the route of players on their quest to become a part of the National Team by going behind the scenes with family, youth, coaches, teammates and professional club managers from across the world. [WATCH SERIES]
EXPERIENCE RETURNS
The MNT welcomes Christian Pulisic into the fold for the first time as a 20-year-old, the 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year having missed out on the September camp through injury. Joining him are a pair of 12-year veterans in Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan, both returning after a year-long absence. Bradley ranks fourth all-time in appearances for the Men’s National Team and is tied for second with assists (22). Guzan ranks in the top five among MNT goalkeepers with 58 caps (fifth), 30 wins (fourth) and 18 clean sheets (fifth), and is currently minding the nets for MLS Supporters Shield leaders Atlanta United FC. This will also be the second camp in 2018 for John Brooks, who last year moved to VfL Wolfsburg on a record transfer fee for a U.S. international.
COLOMBIA, PERU BRING STRONG ROSTERS FOR KICKOFF SERIES
After strong tests against Brazil and Mexico in September, the USA will face two more challenges against Colombia and Peru this month. Both took part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and will bring at least half of the squads that went to Russia for their matches against the MNT.
Highlighting Colombia’s squad are 12 World Cup players, including midfielders James Rodríguez (Bayern Munich) and Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), forwards Radamel Falcao (Monaco) and Carlos Bacca (Villarreal) as well as Atlético Madrid defender Santiago Arias and Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina.
Meanwhile, Peru brings 16 World Cup veterans, including long-time forward Jefferson Farfán and MLS-based players of Andy Polo (Portland Timbers), Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders FC) and Yosimar Yotún (Orlando City SC)
DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY PAYING DIVIDENDS
While youngsters are getting their opportunity with the MNT, many of them are rising to the senior team after advancing through U.S. Soccer's development pathway. A total of 12 players have been on the final roster at a Youth World Cup, while 16 have come through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 58/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (8): John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 34/3), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 0/0), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 5/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 9/1), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; 4/0), Ben Sweat (New York City FC; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 54/0)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 19/1), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 7/1), Jonathan Amon (Nordsjælland/DEN; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 140/17), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 12/4), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 6/1), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 21/9), Kenny Saief (Anderlecht/BEL; 2/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 8/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 5/1)
FORWARDS (3): Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard/NED; 2/0), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 3/1), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 41/12)
ROSTER NOTES