CHICAGO (July 9, 2024) – In his first camp as U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team head coach, Everett Palache has named a 24-player roster for the team’s upcoming training camp from July 17-22 at the Atlanta United FC Training Ground in Marietta, Ga. Continuing U.S. Soccer’s mission to develop winning teams and celebrate the game in all of its forms, the camp will serve as a crucial step as the team prepares for the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games to be held Nov. 10-17 in Canoas, Brazil.
“We are excited to prepare for the Deaf Pan American Games at this month’s camp,” Palache said. “We view this camp as the beginning of our journey to build a winning team and plan to harness the players' passion and determination to raise awareness for Deaf soccer in winning championships. We are looking forward to assessing the players' capabilities and working towards further elevating the program.”
The training camp roster features 18 players that helped the USA to an eighth-place finish at the 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championships last October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, including 2023 U.S. Soccer Deaf Male Player of the Year Chris Bourdon (San Diego, Calif.), as well as finalist JP Kanashiro (Lorton, Va.) and leading scorer Chad Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.). Meanwhile, forward Tristan Torbett will also take part in his first Deaf MNT camp since suffering a stroke en route to last year’s World Deaf Football Championship.
Following this month’s camp, the Deaf MNT will gather again in October before Palache names his 20-player roster for November’s Deaf Pan Am Games, where the team will face Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico as it looks to qualify for the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan. A match schedule for the Deaf Pan Am Games will be confirmed at a later date.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Erik Jaspers*^ (Saratoga Springs, Utah), Mateo Lambertini (Madrid, Spain), Sam Lang* (Fort Thomas, Ken.)
DEFENDERS (8): David Dircio* (San Diego, Calif.), Brian Espanto (Tacoma, Wash.), Kevin Fitzpatrick*^ (Hopatcong, N.J.), Arthur Goncalves* (San Carlos, Calif.), Luke Haubruge* (San Marcos, Calif.), Kevin Oladimeji (Washington, D.C.), Eddie Perry*^ (Dellwood, Minn.), Tyler Stack^ (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Braden Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Dawson Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Owen Jacobs (Pensacola, Fla.), JP Kanashiro*^ (Lorton, Va.), Tate Lancaster*^ (Overland Park, Kan.), Raul Silva*^ (San Diego, Calif.)
FORWARDS (7): Samson Abraham (Seattle, Wash.),Chris Bourdon* (San Diego, Calif.), Kelly Grant* (St. Louis, Mo.), Chad Johnson*^ (Los Angeles, Calif.), Thomas Salvi* (Fairfax, Va.), Michael Schmid* (Cleveland, Ohio), Tristan Torbett*^ (Asheville, N.C.)
The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team is for eligible qualifying players who must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their “better ear”. If you or someone you know qualifies for the Men’s Deaf National Team and plays at a high level, you can contact us via email at ExtendedNT@ussoccer.org for more information on potential playing opportunities.