Three members of FC Cincinnati will join the US Men’s National Team squad for the inaugural Allstate Continental Clásico vs. Mexico on Wednesday April 19th in Glendale, AZ.
Forward Brandon Vazquez, goalkeeper Roman Celentano and center back Matt Miazga were named to the 23-man squad who will begin training on Monday the 17th. This marks the second selection this year for Celentano and Vazquez and Miazga’s first call up since the 2021 Nations League semi-final/finals.
The squad will be led by U.S. men’s national team interim manager Anthony Hudson in preparation for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2023 Nations League where the USA will face Mexico in the semi-final in June. It is widely thought that the Nations League will feature European-based players while the Gold Cup squad will be comprised of an MLS-heavy group.
“We are delighted with the group we have put together. Anytime you get to play against your closest rivals it’s a special opportunity, and we have players who understand what this rivalry is all about and are ready to compete in the Allstate Continental Clásico,” said Hudson. “It’s another chance to build on the progress we have made in the last four years and prepare for the defense of our two Concacaf titles this summer.”
Vazquez is one of two center forwards called into camp with Jesús Ferreira of Dallas making the cut. Celentano will be a part of the goalkeeping group led by World Cup backup Sean Johnson and newcomer Drake Callender of Inter Miami. Celentano may have an opportunity to earn his first cap, but it is likely that Johnson will be given the nod against the USA’s number one rival.
Miazga will have to contend with LAFC’s Aaron Long and Nashville center back Walker Zimmerman for a starting role. While Long and LAFC are certainly in form, one could see the hot hand of Miazga unseating Zimmerman. This call up is Miazga’s first in two years and is much deserved. FC Cincy boast one of the best defenses in MLS with Miazga helping to anchor a group with five clean sheets.
The friendly will be broadcast live on TBS, Telemundo and Universo and streamed on HBO Max and Peacock starting at 10 p.m. Coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET on the 19th, with kickoff set for 10:22 p.m.
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USMNT ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB/COUNTRY; CAPS/GOALS)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 11/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Aaron Long (LAFC; 31/3), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 22/1), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 17/1), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; 0/0), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 77/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 57/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 32/0), James Sands (New York City FC; 7/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 16/0)
FORWARDS (5): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 50/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 17/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 51/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 2/1)
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