CHICAGO (Jan. 26, 2023) – After a narrow loss to Serbia in its first match of 2023, the U.S. Men’s National Team will wrap its first training camp of the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle with a game against South American power Colombia on Saturday, Jan. 28. Eight players earned their first caps against Serbia, while five more will seek their first senior international appearances against a Colombia side eager to kick off the new cycle after narrowly missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Saturday’s kickoff of USA-Colombia from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, Telemundo, Peacock and the Telemundo App.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 10/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Gómez (Real Sociedad/ESP; 2/0), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 1/0), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 1/0), Aaron Long (LAFC; 30/3), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 1/0), Sam Rogers (Rosenborg/NOR; 0/0), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 38/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; 0/0), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 56/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 1/0), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; 2/0), Alan Soñora (Unattached; 1/0), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; 5/0)
FORWARDS (7): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 49/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 16/7), Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough/ENG; 7/1), Emmanuel Sabbi (Odense/DEN; 0/0), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 1/1), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America/MEX; 1/0)
With the match dates falling outside of the designated international calendar, clubs are not required to release players for national team duty. The January camp typically consists largely of U.S.-based players who are not in season.
|
Date |
Opponent |
Venue |
Time (ET)/Result |
TV Info |
|
Wednesday, Jan. 25 |
Serbia |
BMO Stadium; Los Angeles, Calif. |
L 1-2 |
- |
|
Saturday, Jan. 28 |
Colombia |
Dignity Health Sports Park; Carson, Calif. |
7:30 p.m. |
TNT, Telemundo, Peacock, Telemundo App |
In the USA’s opening match of the new year, a remarkably green line-up fought hard but ultimately couldn’t overcome Serbia in the USMNT’s first match at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. Debutant forward Brendan Vazquez opened the scoring in the 29th minute, flicking a header off a perfectly served cross from right back Julian Gressel. Young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina made a number of standout saves in the first half, but Serbia was able to equalize on a free kick from Luka Ilić just before the half. A lapse in concentration found Serbia the eventual game-winner moments into the second half, and while the young Americans responded well, led by a strong effort from forward Cade Cowell, they were unable to find another goal.
Eight players made their USMNT debuts on Wednesday night against Serbia: goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, defenders Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones and Jalen Neal, midfielders Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora plus forwards Brandon Vázquez and Alex Zendejas. The eight first caps were the most for the U.S. in a single match since a 2-0 win against Canada on Sept. 3, 1992. All but Jones started the match, and the seven debutants in the starting XI were the USA’s most since a 1-0 loss to Guatemala on Jan. 10, 1988.
With his start against Serbia, Gaga Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to play for the USMNT at 18 years, 255 days. Slonina, who joined Chelsea in the English Premier League this winter from the Chicago Fire, put in a solid shift against Serbia, highlighted by a number of standout saves in the first half. In the 31st minute, he made a highlight reel stop of a point-blank shot and then slapped away the spinning ball that was bound for goal.
The USMNT’s January training camp roster is traditionally filled with rising talents getting their first looks with the senior team and this year’s squad is no different. While eight of the 13 players who entered camp without a USMNT appearance earned their first caps against Serbia, five more will be looking to make their international debuts on Saturday night: goalkeeper Romeo Celentano, defenders Sam Rogers and John Tolkin, midfielder Paxten Aaronson and forward Emmanuel Sabbi.
The young players come with plenty of experience in the U.S. Men’s Youth National Teams program. Last summer, Aaronson, Cade Cowell and Jalen Neal helped lead the USA to a third-straight Concacaf U-20 Championship, a berth to the Olympics for the first time since Beijing 2008 and a spot in this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. First-time call-ups Vazquez and Zendejas represented the USA at the 2015 U-17 World Cup, while Sabbi was a part of the U.S. team at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In addition to the young talent getting an opportunity this month, five players return from the USMNT’s successful run at the World Cup -- goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defenders Zimmerman and Aaron Long, midfielder Kellyn Acosta and forward Jesús Ferreira. Zimmerman played a key role on the U.S. back line, appearing in every match and making a critical goal line clearance late in the USMNT’s knockout round-clinching victory against Iran. Acosta made two substitute appearances in Qatar and Ferreira started in the Round of 16 match against Netherlands.
Anthony Hudson is currently serving as USMNT head coach, while fellow World Cup assistant B.J. Callaghan and Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team head coach Mikey Varas will serve as assistant coaches amid U.S. Soccer’s full review of the USMNT program following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In the past, the customary review of the past four years of the entire program following a World Cup would begin in the summer, well ahead of any year-end contract expiration. The unique November-December timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar significantly reduced the amount of time that the Federation would have to conduct a proper assessment prior to the end of the head coach’s contract.
After the condensed World Cup qualifying schedule featured three Octagonal matches for the USMNT during January/February 2022, the USA returns to the passionate soccer community in the Los Angeles area to launch its four-year run up to hosting the world’s biggest sporting event - the 2026 FIFA World Cup - alongside Canada and Mexico.
The USMNT has played in California 115 times, more than any other state, with 44 of those matches taking place in Carson and Los Angeles. USA-Serbia marks the USMNT’s first game at LAFC’s BMO Stadium, while the U.S. is 12-2-3 at Dignity Health Sports Park all-time and 11-8-9 in matches played in Los Angeles proper. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. is one of 11 U.S. host venues for the 2026 World Cup.
GOALKEEPERS (2): José Chunga (Alianza Petrolera; 2/0), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios; 3/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG; 26/1), Junior Hernández (Deportes Tolima; 0/0) Nicolás Hernández (Athletico Paranaense/BRA; 0/0), Andrés Lilnás (Millionarios; 2/0), Juan David Mosquera (Portland Timbers/USA; 0/0), Alexis Pérez (Giresunspor/TUR), Andrés Reyes (New York Red Bulls/USA; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Jorman Campuzano (Giresunspor/TUR; 2/0), Kevin Castaño (Águilas Doradas; 0/0), Daniel Cataño (Millionarios; 0/0) Daniel Ruiz (Millionarios; 0/0), Yilmar Velasquez (Deportivo Pereira; 0/0)
FORWARDS (6): Christian Arango (LAFC/USA; 1/0), Dylan Borrero (New England Revolution/USA; 0/0), Didier Cambindo (Independiente Medellín; 0/0), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew/USA; 2/2), Santiago Moreno (Portland Timbers/USA; 1/0), Diego Valoyes (Talleres/ARG; 3/0)