Update: The roster originally included 18 players from MLS, though it's now at 19 after Atlanta United forward Brandon Vazquez was included as a late addition. A San Jose Earthquakes academy product, goalkeeper Drake Callender, was also added on.
Jason Kreis has called in a 26-player roster for the US U-23 men’s national team to face Japan, and over two-thirds of the group hails from Major League Soccer.
In all, 18 players from MLS will partake in a Sept. 1-10 camp in Chula Vista, Calif, with the international friendly set for Sept. 9. This camp is another step in the Americans’ aim to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with the 2020 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship set for March 20-April 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The US haven’t made the Olympics since 2008.
Starting at goalkeeper, Matt Freese of the Philadelphia Union and JT Marcinkowski of the San Jose Earthquakes are both included.
Along the backline, outside backs include Kyle Duncan of the New York Red Bulls and Aaron Herrera of Real Salt Lake. At center back, there’s RSL standout Justen Glad, D.C. United youngster Donovan Pines and the Philadelphia duo of Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty.
In midfield, Kreis has called in FC Dallas duo Edwin Cerrillo and Brandon Servania, as well as Brenden Aaronson of the Union. Others are Hassani Dotson of Minnesota United and Djordje Mihailovic of the Chicago Fire.
Up top, RSL had Brooks Lennon and Sebastian Saucedo both named to the roster. New York saw Omir Fernandez included, while Dallas had Jesus Ferreira and Minnesota had Mason Toye. Last but not least, there's Atlanta United forward Brandon Vazquez.
You can check out the full roster below:
Pos. | Player | Club or school |
---|---|---|
GK | Drake Callendar | California |
GK | Matt Freese | Philadephia Union |
GK | JT Marcinkowski | San Jose Earthquakes |
GK | Andrew Thomas | Stanford |
D | Kyle Duncan | New York Red Bulls |
D | Justen Glad | Real Salt Lake |
D | Chris Gloster | PSV Eindhoven |
D | Niko Hamalainen | Kilmarnock FC |
D | Aaron Herrera | Real Salt Lake |
D | Mark McKenzie | Philadelphia Union |
D | Donovan Pines | D.C. United |
D | Auston Trusty | Philadelphia Union |
M | Brenden Aaronson | Philadelphia Union |
M | Edwin Cerrilo | FC Dallas |
M | Hassani Dotson | Minnesota United |
M | Alex Mendez | Ajax |
M | Djordje Mihailovic | Chicago Fire |
M | Brandon Servania | FC Dallas |
F | Omir Fernandez | New York Red Bulls |
F | Jesus Ferreira | FC Dallas |
F | Brooks Lennon | Real Salt Lake |
F | Sebastian Saucedo | Real Salt Lake |
F | Sebastian Soto | Hannover 96 |
F | Mason Toye | Minnesota United |
F | Brandon Vazquez | Atlanta United |
F | Haji Wright | VVV-Venlo |