U.S. Under-23 national team coach Marko Mitrović has brought in veteran center back Walker Zimmerman as a major player, along with four new faces for a camp and friendly before the Games Olympics this summer in France.
Newcomers to the Olympic team also include Chelsea goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, FC Köln striker Damion Downs, Hajduk Split midfielder Rokas Pukstas and LA Galaxy central defender Jalen Neal. They join stalwarts Bryan Reynolds, John Tolkin, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn and Tanner Tessmann on the team.
The U.S. men’s team will compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2008 this summer, and with the Copa America held earlier in the year, it has opened up big opportunities for younger players trying to break into the senior team. The 18-player roster for the men’s Olympic tournament is limited to players under the age of 23, with an allocation for three over-age players in that group.
Zimmerman, who has 42 caps with the USMNT and started three matches at the 2022 World Cup, is the first major player called up by Mitrović in preparation for the tournament.
The United States Under-23s will face Japan on June 11 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City at 8 p.m. ET.
Who are the new arrivals?
The striker does not appear to be a weak point in this under-23 group, with Duncan McGuire and Ricardo Pepi expected to lead the line in Paris. However, Pepi was instead called up to Gregg Berhalter’s squad in the upcoming Copa América, opening the door for Damion Downs. The 19-year-old stands 6ft 4in tall and has scored twice in 181 Bundesliga minutes for FC Köln. Downs holds dual American and German citizenship and was previously called up to a U.S. U-20 national team camp.
His first Bundesliga goal showed he wouldn’t just be a one-trick aerial threat, as he raced onto a through ball and carefully placed his left foot at the far post to give Cologne the late equalizer against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Once Pepi was called up to the senior team, it seemed like an overage striker was needed. However, Downs’ late-season emergence could make him a natural alternative to McGuire, who is more experienced at club level and has been part of the under-23 program throughout Mitrović’s tenure. While some players would struggle to play a role on the team, Downs could benefit from a tournament as the team’s “plan B” forward, although he could prove he is better suited in this camp and beyond.
Jalen Neal is one of the brightest defensive prospects in the USMNT pool, having earned a regular starting role with the LA Galaxy last season at age 19. Two surgeries (for a sports hernia and an adductor strain) kept him out of the first third of the 2024 season, but he has returned to Greg Vanney’s lineup in recent weeks. Neal earned six senior caps and was part of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster, and could work in a complex senior CB pool with a good year.
Born in Stillwater, OK, Bracelets initially developed in the Sporting Kansas City academy before signing with Croatian side Hajduk Split at the end of 2020. He quickly became a regular starter, with Hajduk finishing 3rd in the Croatian Football League that season. Pukštas offers an impressive goal threat in an attacking midfielder role, averaging nearly two shots per game and netting eight goals in 2,435. The son of a Lithuanian marathon runner, Pukštas could become a second-generation Olympian if he is on this list.
Gaga Slonina He has long been expected to start in this tournament, ever since his stellar performances with the Chicago Fire in 2022 and especially after moving to Chelsea at the end of that year. His first year in Europe was a loan to Belgian club Eupen, who finished last in the Pro League with the circuit’s most porous defensive record, thus being relegated at the end of the season. – Jeff Rueter
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Who else could join in?
The United States will be able to add three surplus players for the tournament in France this summer, and Mitrović will not be short of options – although club teams should be prepared to release players, as it is not required by FIFA.
Zimmerman, who previously captained the USMNT, is an obvious choice to bolster the backline, but Mitrović could return to the depth chart to add another veteran center to this team. Options include Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie.
The United States could also consider adding another surplus player at the forward position. Even though U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter appears to be bringing four forwards to the Copa America, it might be possible to add someone like Brandon Vazquez or even Pepi, who wouldn’t need a surplus spot. Club America winger Alejandro Zendejas, 26, could also be an option for this list.
Ultimately, many of these decisions will depend on whether a club is willing to release a player. However, with a midfield stacked with age-eligible players, it’s more likely you’ll see excess additions on the back and forward lines. – Paul Tenorio
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Answers to your questions about the USMNT roster
Full Under-23 squad for June Olympic training camp
GOALKEEPERS (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)
DEFENDERS (7): Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy), Bryan Reynolds (KVC Westerlo), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split), Tanner Tessmann (Venice)
FORWARDS (9): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt), Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution), Taylor Booth (Utrecht), Cade Cowell (Guadalajara), Damion Downs (Cologne), Johan Gomez (Eintracht Braunschweig), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City ). SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)
(Photo: Federico Gambarini/photo alliance via Getty Images)