CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2024) – U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team head coach Everett Palache has named a 25-player roster for the team’s upcoming training camp from Oct. 8-13 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 the team’s last gathering before Palache selects his 20-player roster for the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games to be held Nov. 10-17 in Canoas, Brazil.
"We are thrilled to welcome new prospects and reunite with the players from the previous camp as we prepare for the Deaf Pan American Games,” Palache said. “We see this camp as an opportunity to continue building on our previous achievements while adding value to our process. Our goal is to build a winning team that will excel in Brazil, harnessing the players' passion and determination to raise awareness for Deaf soccer and win championships. Building on the success of Camp One in July, we believe we have a strong core and have added even more talent to the group to help us achieve our goals. We are all eager to get back together and start working."
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 (Springfield, Va.) and leading scorer Chad Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.).
Following this month’s camp, Palache will select the Deaf MNT squad that will represent the USA at the 2024 Deaf Pan Am Games in Canoas, Brazil. The Deaf MNT was drawn into Group B last month, where it will face Colombia on Nov. 9 and Argentina on Nov. 11, while Group A features Brazil, Jamaica and Mexico. The top two finishers in each three-team group advance to the medal round, where the overall top three will qualify for the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo.
U.S. MEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM DETAILED ROSTER (Hometown):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Erik Jaspers*^ (Saratoga Springs, Utah), Sam Lang* (Fort Thomas, Ken.) 2
DEFENDERS (8): David Dircio* (San Diego, Calif.), Brian Espanto (Tacoma, Wash.), Kevin Fitzpatrick*^ (Hopatcong, N.J.), Luke Haubruge* (San Marcos, Calif.), Kevin Oladimeji (Washington, D.C.), Eddie Perry*^ (Dellwood, Minn.), Tyler Stack^ (Pittsburgh, Pa.), JJ Waterman (Altoona, Iowa) 7
MIDFIELDERS (7): Braden Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Dawson Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Aidan Burns (Cornwall, N.Y.), Owen Jacobs (Pensacola, Fla.), JP Kanashiro*^ (Springfield, Va.), Tate Lancaster*^ (Overland Park, Kan.), Raul Silva*^ (San Diego, Calif.) 6
FORWARDS (8): Samson Abraham (Seattle, Wash.),Chris Bourdon* (San Diego, Calif.), Daniel DeMoura (Holliston, Mass.), Kelly Grant* (St. Louis, Mo.), Bennett Haas (Sewickley, Pa.), Chad Johnson*^ (Los Angeles, Calif.), Thomas Salvi* (Fairfax, Va.), Michael Schmid* (Cleveland, Ohio) 6
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.