Get to Know the New Faces at the USMNT's January Training Camp
17 uncapped players have been named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for its January training camp and upcoming international friendly against Slovenia in San Antonio, Texas.
17 uncapped players have been named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for its January training camp and upcoming international friendly against Slovenia in San Antonio, Texas.
Of those 17 players, 15 are making their first-ever appearance in a senior Men’s National Team camp altogether. Below is a quick look at these newcomers who are trying to impress head coach Gregg Berhalter in the team's first match of the new year.
Get familiar with the young squad and tune into coverage of the USA’s matchup with Slovenia on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, MAX and Peacock. Live Spanish-language audio for the match will be available on Fútbol de Primera radio.
GOALKEEPERS
Drake Callender (Inter Miami)
On a team that boasts the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, Drake Callender doesn't have to worry about scoring goals. He has been charged with stopping them for Inter Miami CF. He did a pretty decent job last season - good enough to be called up to the USMNT for the Concacaf Gold Cup in the summer. The Sacramento, Calif. native did not see any action, but being with the squad was a learning experience and a half for the 26-year-old Callender, who was named Miami's defensive player of the year. Callender performed in 46 games across all competitions in 2023, keeping eight clean sheets. His most memorable moment was likely in the Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC. The 6-2, 194-lb. keeper converted a penalty kick in the shootout, and then saved the last penalty kick to give Miami its first trophy. Callender played at the University of California, Berkeley, where he made 54 appearances and recorded 16 shutouts. Miami acquired his Homegrown Player rights from the San Jose Earthquakes in December 2019.
Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
As a 22-year-old rookie in 2022, Roman Celentano quickly established himself as FC Cincinnati's No. 1 goalkeeper, starting 27 regular season contests. As the second overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, he became the highest chosen goalie in the draft since the Philadelphia Union selected Jamaican international Andre Blake in 2014. He followed up his breakout rookie season with another outstanding campaign in 2023, making 33 starts and helping Cincy to the Supporters' Shield. A finalist for the 2023 MLS goalkeeper of the year, the 6-3, 201-lb. Celentano was named winner of the league's ave of the Year Award. At Indiana University, Celentano became the first Big Ten goalie to win Goalkeeper of the Year twice while backstopping the Hoosiers to a pair of conference championships. Celentano, 23, who hails from Naperville, Ill., allowed only 33 goals in 52 matches while recording a 37-10-5 mark with 28 clean sheets. Though the Hoosiers lost the 2020 College Cup final 1-0 to Marshall University in extra time, Celentano was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the tournament.
Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
Two seasons and two league championships so far for Patrick Schulte. He capped a solid rookie year in MLS by backstopping the Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup title on Dec. 9, a 2-1 home victory over defending champions Los Angeles FC. It was the second consecutive season that the St. Louis native celebrated a pro title, after he additionally helped Columbus Crew II to the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro crown. After locking down the starting first team job during the 2023 season, Schulte allowed 43 goals in 31 appearances as the team surprised Supporters' Shield winners FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference final en route to their 2023 title. The 6-5, 205-lb. Earlier in his career, Schulte made a name for himself at Saint Louis SC during the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round, making three vital penalty kick saves in a 3-1 shootout win over the host Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. The next day, he returned to classes at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo.
DEFENDERS
Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union)
Signed as a Homegrown Player by the Philadelphia Union in 2020, Nathan Harriel has made steady progress as an outside back over the past two seasons. After playing with Philadelphia Union II for two campaigns, the 22-year-old defender secured a spot on the first team in 2021. He has forged a reputation as an excellent tackler, securing 43 of them the second most on the squad in 2022. Last season, he again recorded the second-most tackles, 34 over 25 appearances. The 5-10, 150-lb. Harriel has scored two goals and collected two assists in his 55-game MLS career. He also struck for a goal in a 3-1 win over the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup Playoffs. On the international level, Harriel has become accustomed wearing the Red, White and Blue jersey, having played 11 times for the U.S. Under-18, U-19, U-20 and U-23 Men's National Teams. The 5-10, 150-lb. defender made four appearances with the U-23 squad, after making his debut against Mexico on Oct. 11.
Ian Murphy (FC Cincinnati)
The 2022 MLS SuperDraft certainly was a bountiful one for FC Cincinnati, which grabbed Roman Celentano as the second overall selection and then Murphy as the 14th overall pick. In his rookie year, the 6-2, 185-lb. center back made such an impression on the FC Cincy coaching staff, that he started 16 matches and played in 26 games in his rookie season. Now 22, Murphy started in 17 contests for the Supporters' Shield winners last season. He has one goal in his MLS career, at Toronto FC on April 30, 2022, with which he became the third player in the club’s league history to score on his first shot. Murphy was a standout defender at Duke University over four seasons, earning All-South Region honors, and was named the team's defender of the year in 2021. He also had one year of residency with the U.S. Under-17 National Team.
Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders)
At an imposing 6-6 and 205 lbs., Ragen is the tallest player among the newcomers. After getting accustomed to MLS play with 14 starts and 23 appearances in 2022, the 25-year-old Ragen came into his own as a center back last season. He started 32 matches (39 across all competitions), recording four assists. With Seattle needing a win to secure the second seed in the MLS Western Conference on Decision Day on Oct. 21, Ragen played one of his best matches in a 2-0 win at West leaders St. Louis CITY and earned a spot on the MLS team of the week. A Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year winner while playing at the University of Michigan in 2021, Ragen was taken by the Chicago Fire in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft. He decided to stay in school. After playing a year with the Tacoma Defiance, Ragen's rights were acquired by the Sounders from the Fire.
Nkosi Tafari (FC Dallas)
Nkosi Tafari enjoyed a breakout 2023 MLS season, performing in a career-high 37 matches across all competitions. The 26-year-old center back started all but one of FC Dallas' 34 regular season games, and all three MLS Cup Playoff matches. He played an important role in anchoring one of the league’s stingiest defenses, as the team conceded the third-fewest goals (40) during the regular season. Tafari also scored three goals and added four assists. He played three years at the University of Connecticut before transferring to Seattle University for his senior season, earning Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 6-4, 192-lb. defender was chosen as the 14th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
MIDFIELDERS
Joshua Atencio (Seattle Sounders)
A native of Bellevue, Wash., Joshua Atencio completed his third season with the Seattle Sounders in 2023, primarily as a central midfielder, making 10 starts over 22 MLS regular season games and 31 appearances in all competitions. He scored his first professional goal in the 65th minute in a 3-0 home win over St. Louis CITY SC on April 8. In 2020, Atencio signed with the MLS club, becoming the 14th Homegrown Player in team history. The 6-1, 174-lb. midfielder joined the Sounders Academy in 2016 and established himself as a starter both with that team and then with the Tacoma Defiance. Atencio was called into the U.S. Under-23 team in October, but did not see any action in friendlies against Mexico and Japan. The 21-year-old midfielder has made 10 appearances for the U.S. at the U-15 and U-17 levels.
Aziel Jackson (St. Louis CITY SC)
Aziel Jackson's 2023 rookie season was defined by an endless list of firsts. He made his MLS debut in a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on March 18. The 22-year-old midfielder then had his first start with St. Louis CITY SC, connecting twice in a 5-0 victory over Union Omaha in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament on April 25. He collected his first MLS regular season assist in a 2-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids on July 1, made his first league start in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on June 24, and scored his first league goal in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC on July 8. The 5-9, 154-lb. Jackson completed the campaign with three goals and six assists in 16 starts over 31 matches across all competitions. A product of the New York Red Bull Academy, Jackson and his family moved to France when he was 16. He played with Toulouse FC for two seasons, becoming the first American to sign with the team. Jackson also played a season with North Carolina FC (USL League One) and Minnesota United FC (MLS NEXT Pro), earning 2022 Best XI honors with the latter.
Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union)
Only 20 years old, Jack McGlynn's star has been on the rise for the past two years. A product of one of the oldest and most dynamic youth clubs in the country - B.W. Gottschee (Queens, N.Y.) - McGlynn worked his way into the Philadelphia Union starting mix in 2022 as a defensive midfielder. After playing with Philadelphia Union II in 2020, McGlynn made his MLS debut the next year. In 2022, he made 23 appearances and nine starts for the Union, which included its MLS Cup final loss at Los Angeles FC. He tallied his first goal against the Houston Dynamo that July 30. This past season, the 5-11, 161-lb. midfielder continued to make progress, making a career-high 15 starts and 27 appearances while collecting two goals and two assists. After scoring twice in 21 matches for the U.S. Under-20 National Team, McGlynn earned a call-up to the U-23 squad, making his debut in a 2-1 triumph over Mexico on Oct. 11. He assisted on the final goal of a 4-1 win vs. Japan on Oct. 17.
Timothy Tillman (LAFC)
On May 23, 2023, FIFA granted Timothy Tillman a one-time change of association, making him eligible to represent the USA in international competition. The 25-year-old midfielder had previously represented Germany in official competitions at the youth level. The son of a German mother and U.S. serviceman, Tillman was born in Nürnberg, Germany. The 6-foot, 163-lb. central midfielder had competed for Greuther Fürth before he signed on with MLS club LAFC last year. Tillman made 20 starts over 25 league appearances, scoring four times and assisting once. He made sure his first MLS start was a memorable one, connecting for his first LAFC goal in a 4-0 triumph against the New England Revolution. Tillman also started and played 60 minutes for LAFC in its 2-1 loss at the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final. His younger brother Malik, 21, performs for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands and has played for the USMNT on eight occasions.
Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)
An Olmsted Falls, Ohio native, Zawadzki knows something about winning championships. After starring for Columbus Crew Academy teams for five years and captaining squads for two years, the 6-foot, 159-lb. Zawadzki played for college powerhouse Georgetown University from 2018-21. He also captained that team for two years, which included winning the 2019 NCAA Division I men's tournament and a pair of Big East titles. He returned to the Crew organization in 2022, signing as a Homegrown Player. Zawadzki made five appearances for Crew II, which captured the first MLS NEXT Pro crown. Upon being promoted to the MLS club, he played as a midfielder and defender, scoring three goals - including two in stoppage time - in his 15 starts and 30 league appearances. During the Crew's run to the MLS Cup championship, the 23-year-old Zawadzki played in all six playoff contests. In January 2019, Zawadzki took part in a U.S. Under-19 training camp.
FORWARDS
Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution)
As the youngest player on the USMNT roster, 18-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic has become accustomed to being a young gun. He was also the youngest player on the U.S. U-23 squad that met Mexico and Japan for October friendlies. The New England Revolution forward made an impact, connecting for the first goal in first-half stoppage time in the Americans’ 2-1 friendly win over Mexico on Oct. 11. The 5-9, 141-lb. forward joined the Revolution Academy in 2021 and became the ninth Homegrown Player in club history the following year, after New England acquired his rights from Minnesota United. Bajraktarevic recorded seven goals and three assists for New England Revolution II in 25 starts and 36 appearances in the last two years. In six starts and 16 matches over the past two seasons, Bajraktarevic has yet to score for the MLS team.
Bernard Kamungo (FC Dallas)
Bernard Kamungo's improbable journey from his native Tanzania to the USMNT is an inspiring one. He learned to play the beautiful game with make-shift soccer balls in a Tanzanian refugee camp. Thanks to the International Rescue Committee, Kamungo, then 14, emigrated with his family to Abilene, Texas. He tried out for FC Dallas' development team, North Texas SC in 2020, and recorded 22 goals in 48 matches over two seasons, including 16 during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro campaign. Making his MLS debut that year, the 5-9, 150-lb. forward became a force both as a starter and off the bench in 2023, contributing eight goals and three assists in only 641 minutes. After being called up to the U.S. Under-23 team for two friendlies, Kamungo assisted on Obed Vargas' insurance goal in the team’s 2-1 win over Mexico on Oct. 11, and set-up Paxten Aaronson's game-winning score in a 4-1 victory over Japan on Oct. 17. Kamungo, 22, became a U.S. citizen on May 24, 2022. He was previously called into the Tanzanian national team for an international match against Niger in June, but did not play.
Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
Appropriately nicknamed "Moon Boy," many observers have felt the sky is the limit for the 20-year-old Diego Luna. During the 2023 MLS campaign, Luna emerged as an attacking force as a midfielder for Real Salt Lake, finishing with five goals and three assists in 14 starts over 23 matches. The 5-8, 187-lb. forward finished his season with a flourish, scoring four goals in his final five games, which included a pair of tallies in three MLS Playoff Cup appearances. After striking for his first MLS goal in a 3-1 victory at St. Louis on June 21, Luna bagged his first professional brace in a 3-1 triumph over the New York Red Bulls on July 15. Born in the San Jose suburb of Sunnyvale, Calif., Luna started to make a name for himself with the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, before joining the Barcelona Residency Academy. He eventually signed his first professional contract at 17 with El Paso Locomotive in 2021, contributing 13 goals in 41 matches through the 2022 Championship season. He was dealt to RSL that year as his career continued to blossom.
Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC)
In his first season as a pro soccer player, Duncan McGuire enjoyed a wonderful year for Orlando City SC, ripping the nets for 13 goals and collecting three assists in 17 starts and 29 games. During the Lions' stretch run prior to the MLS Cup Playoffs, McGuire scored in four of five games, including a brace in a 2-0 win over Toronto FC. The 6-1, 190-lb. forward lived up to the high-scoring reputation he forged during his college career at Creighton University. The Omaha, Neb. native turned heads with an impressive 23-goal performance in his 2022 senior season, leading the Blue Jays to the NCAA Division I semifinals. He was awarded the MAC Hermann Trophy as the top men's collegiate player and earned All-America honors. Orlando City selected McGuire as the sixth overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, and he has not disappointed. In October, the 22-year-old played in both U.S. Under-23 National Team for friendlies, scoring the final goal as a substitute in the 4-1 win past Japan on Oct. 17.
Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0)
At 27, Brian White is the oldest and most experienced player of the 17 newbies. In six MLS seasons with the New York Red Bulls and the Vancouver Whitecaps, White has scored 46 goals and collected 15 assists in 104 starts and 132 appearances. He has reached double figures in goals with Vancouver twice, 12 in 2021, and a career-best 15 in 2023 (tied for fifth in the league). Across all competitions, the 5-11, 191-lb. White recorded 20 goals and five assists in 38 starts and 43 appearances across all competitions last year. Fifteen of the former Duke University standout's goals came from open play, and six were game-winning scores. After earning Premier Development League (now USL League Two) MVP and Golden Boot honors while scoring 21 goals for the Red Bulls' Under-23 championship team in 2017, the Flemington, N.J. native was chosen by the MLS team in the 2018 SuperDraft. The Red Bulls traded White to Vancouver in June 2021.