Mikey Varas Serving as Interim Head Coach; USA Hosts Canada for Fan Appreciation Match on Sept. 7 in Kansas City, Kan., Before Taking on New Zealand on Sept. 10 in Cincinnati
As posted on USSoccer.com:
CHICAGO (Sept. 1, 2024) – A group of 24 players has been selected for the USMNT September Training Camp roster to prepare for the upcoming friendlies against Canada and New Zealand. The players will begin reporting into Kansas City on Sept. 1 in preparation for two matches.
First, the United States hosts Canada for the Fan Appreciation Match on Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., which will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on TBS, Telemundo, Universo, Max, Peacock and Fútbol de Primera Radio. [TICKETS]
The Fan Appreciation Match will feature fun, interactive fan activations, opportunities to win prizes, and food and drink specials in the stadium prior to the match highlighted by the “Dollar Delights.” FULL LIST OF GIVEAWAYS AND ACTIVITIES
Three days later, the USA welcomes New Zealand to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati (7 p.m. ET; TNT, Universo, Max, Peacock and Fútbol de Primera Radio). [TICKETS]
With the search for a new head coach continuing, Mikey Varas will serve as interim head coach. Varas, an MNT opponent scout during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, chose the roster for the upcoming matches. Hired as the U-20 MNT head coach in November 2021, he coached the U-20 MNT to the top of their group at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
The current coaching staff now includes Nico Estevez, who rejoined the MNT staff this summer after working as an assistant from 2019-2021. Jack Robinson, the former goalkeeper coach of English Premier League side Liverpool FC who has been appointed Head of Goalkeeping for U.S. Soccer, will work with the goalkeepers for this camp.
“We have a chance in these next two games to really show what we are about as team,” Varas said. “Our focus is on bringing a winning mentality and an aggressive approach so we can continue to move the program forward and set ourselves up for a great transition. It’s an incredible honor to have this opportunity.”
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
*Cal South alumni in bold red*
GOALKEEPERS (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/WAL; 9/0), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona II/ESP; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 1/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 44/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 2/0), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/BEL; 0/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 3/0), Mark McKenzie (Tolouse/FRA; 13/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 61/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 21/1), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 11/0), Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg/FRA; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 15/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 22/0), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 5/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan; ITA; 39/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 31/8), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 12/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 42/8), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 15/5), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 28/10), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 71/30), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 25/5), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 11/4)
STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT (AND LEFT) FOOT
With the club seasons in Europe in full swing, a number of USMNT players on this roster have already found the scoring touch. Six players have contributed goals to their clubs since the start of the 2024-25 seasons in Europe. The EFL Championship trio of Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and Haji Wright (Coventry City) have each bagged two goals, while Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman (both PSV Eindhoven) have also scored.
23 AND USMNT
The majority of this roster clocks in at age 23 and under, with experience ranging from World Cups to Confederation Championships to Olympics to first-time call ups. Amongst them there are vets of Qatar ‘22 (Aaronson, Musah, Reyna, Scally), Nations League championship final goal scorers (Balogun, Reyna), 2024 Olympians (Schulte, Wiley), and an uncapped teenager (Kochen). Overall, there are 13 players still putting less than 24 candles on birthday cakes.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
There was no shortage of movement in the summer transfer window with USMNT players, with a total of eight players on the roster changing clubs. Veteran defender Tim Ream transferred from Fulham to Charlotte FC, while Mark McKenzie (Genk to Toulouse), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew to Middlesbrough), Auston Trusty (Sheffield United to Celtic) and Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United to Chelsea, loaned to Strasbourg) also made moves to new clubs. Brenden Aaronson re-joined Leeds United after a year on loan to Union Berlin, and Gio Reyna returned to Borussia Dortmund after a half-season loan to Nottingham Forest. Meantime, Matt Turner has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.
JACK ROBINSON JOINS U.S. SOCCER AS HEAD OF GOALKEEPING
After a storied coaching career in England, Jack Robinson brings an impressive pedigree to the U.S. Soccer Federation as the Head of Goalkeeping. Robinson spent six seasons alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool FC from 2018-24 as the team collected numerous trophies including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. He joined Liverpool from the English Football Association in September 2018 having previously worked for Manchester United and Leeds United.
TO OUR FANS, FOR OUR FANS: To celebrate the support and dedication of its fans, U.S. Soccer will host its Fan Appreciation Match in Kansas City, Kan., on Sept. 7 featuring the USMNT against Canada. The event will include special giveaways and unique prizes and activations. Highlights include:
- Dollar Delights – hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and Coca-Cola beverages can be purchased for $1 each at most concession stands inside the stadium during “Dollar Delights” that will run from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- The first 3,000 fans entering the stadium will receive a limited-edition matchday poster.
- The first 5,000 fans will receive USMNT-themed sunglasses with the opportunity to be lucky enough to receive a pair inspired by the design of USMNT defender Antonee Robinson.
- Chance to win custom USMNT-themed sneakers designed by local Kansas City artist Khalid Jones (Interviews with Khalid available on request)
- Khalid designed a unique pair for four-time USMNT World Cup veteran DaMarcus Beasley, who will wear the custom pair during the TNT Sports broadcast of the match
ROSTER NOTES
- The roster will have an average age of 24 years, 175 days as of the first day of training on September 2.
- The squad also has an average of 20 caps.
- The 24 players represent clubs in 10 different countries: England (6), Italy (3), Spain (3), France (3), Germany (2), Netherlands (2), USA (2), Belgium (1), Scotland (1), Wales (1).
- Christian Pulisic (71) is the leading cap-winner, followed by Tim Ream (61), Matt Turner (44), Brenden Aaronson (42), Yunus Musah (39) and Gio Reyna (31).
- Thirteen players are age 23 and younger: Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun and Patrick Schulte (23); Johnny Cardoso, Kristoffer Lund, Aidan Morris, Malik Tillman (22); Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Gio Reyna, Joe Scally (21); Caleb Wiley (19), Diego Kochen (18).
- Eighteen players were part of this summer’s Copa América roster.
- Two players are uncapped in defender Marlon Fossey, who plays for Standard Liege in Belgium and goalkeeper Diego Kochen, who is part of the FC Barcelona setup.
- This is Kochen’s first summons to the USMNT, while Fossey returns to camp for the first time since taking part in the team’s 2019 Gold Cup pre-camp in Annapolis, Md.
- Two players were part of the USA’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Summer Olympics, with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte appearing in all four matches and defender Caleb Wiley playing in three.
- Center back Auston Trusty earns his first call-up since helping the USA claim its second Concacaf Nations League title in June 2023.
- Eight players on the roster changed clubs over the summer. Veteran defender Tim Ream transferred from Fulham to Charlotte FC, while Mark McKenzie (Genk to Toulouse), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew to Middlesbrough), Auston Trusty (Sheffield United to Celtic) and Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United to Chelsea, loaned to Strasbourg) also made moves to new clubs. Brenden Aaronson re-joined Leeds United after a year on loan to Union Berlin, and Gio Reyna returned to Borussia Dortmund after a half-season loan to Nottingham Forest. Meantime, Matt Turner has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.
- Six players have also contributed goals to their clubs since the start of the 2024-25 seasons in Europe. The EFL Championship trio of Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and Haji Wright (Haji Wright) have each bagged two goals, while Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman (both PSV Eindhoven) got off the mark this past weekend.
- With five appearances, Matt Turner leads the list of 13 players who have previous caps against Canada, followed by Christian Pulisic (4), Brenden Aaronson and Tim Ream (3 each).
- None of the 24 players have featured against New Zealand.
- Three players scored goals for the USA at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium. Christian Pulisic tallied the first in the team’s 2-0 win against Mexico in World Cup Qualifying on Nov. 12, 2021, while Brenden Aaronson bagged the opener and Haji Wright recorded his first international goal from the penalty spot in the USMNT’s 3-0 win against Morocco on June 1, 2022.
- Fourteen players are products of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, with 10 coming from MLS Academies: Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union), Luca de la Torre (San Diego Surf, Nomads SC), Ethan Horvath (Real Colorado), Diego Kochen (Weston FC), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Christian Pulisic (PA Classics), Gio Reyna (New York City FC), Chris Richards (FC Dallas, Texas SC Houston), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher), Joe Scally (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (St. Louis Scott Gallagher, Saint Louis FC), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC) and Haji Wright (LA Galaxy).
VS. THE NORTHERN NEIGHBOR
This is the USMNT’s first meeting with their northern neighbors outside of official competition since 2016, a 1-0 win on Feb. 5 in Carson, Calif. The teams squared off twice in 2023 Concacaf competitions, the USA first collecting a 2-0 shutout victory in the Nations League championship match on June 18 in Las Vegas. On July 9, following a dramatic 2-2 draw in extra time, the USMNT utilized two penalty kick saves from Matt Turner to defeat Canada 3-2 in a shootout before a raucous 24,979 fans at TQL Stadium.
Overall, the U.S. holds a 17W-10L-13D edge all-time against Les Rouges.
CONFIDENT IN KANSAS CITY
In the 13 years since the USMNT first stepped on the field at Children’s Mercy Park, there isn’t a venue that has witnessed more success. Overall, the USA has amassed an unbeaten 8W-0L-2D record with a whopping 20 goals scored and only two against at Sporting KC’s home venue. Most recently, a scoreless draw against Uruguay on June 5, 2022 extended the USMNT’s home unbeaten streak to 25 matches that ended one shy of the team record of 26 set from 2013-2015.
RETURN OF THE KIWIS
Five-time champions of the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand returns to the United States for the first time since 2016. The teams have only met three times in history, dating back to the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup where the U.S. won 2-1 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Most recently, the teams dueled to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 10, 2016, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Overall, the USMNT holds an unbeaten 2W-0L-1D record.
ANOTHER QUEEN CITY
The USA returns to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati for its fourth visit to the home of FC Cincinnati since the venue opened in spring 2021. TQL played host to the latest Dos a Cero victory against Mexico in November 2021 during qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as a 3-0 friendly win against Morocco in June ’22, the team that finished fourth in Qatar.
Overall, the USA is 2W-1L-1D in Cincinnati. The USMNT has a proud history in the Buckeye State, recording a 13W-3L-4D record.
– ussoccer.com –
