US Soccer announced the senior team for friendly matches against Ireland and France today. Defender Tim Parker and midfielder Tyler Adams from the New York Red Bulls are among the call-ups. When they leave for Europe, a total of 6 players will be missing from the RBNY first team roster.
International Duty
Panamanian defenders Michael Amir Murillo and Fidel Escobar are with the National team preparing for the World Cup in Russia. Striker Derrick Etienne Jr. joined the Haitian National team as they face Argentina in a friendly. After a one-time transfer was approved by FIFA, Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra was immediately called up by Paraguay. These call-ups are a credit to the talent on the Red Bull roster, but present issues for the team as league play and the Lamar Hunt Open Cup continue during the international break. Coach Jesse Marsch will have to be strategic in his use of remaining first-team players as well as the call-up from USL’s Red Bulls II. The USL team is not participating in this year’s Open Cup.
Youth and Experience
Tim Parker (25 years old) and Tyler Adams (19 years old) have both already had three previous call-ups to the US Men’s National Team. They were both in the 2018 January camp before Parker’s trade to RBNY. Interim USMNT manager David Sarachan has shown emphasis on youth with most of his roster choices. The current roster’s average age is 23 years. Midfielder Christian Pulisic (Hershey, PA/ Borussia Dortmund) has been excused to recuperate before returning to his Bundesliga side later this year.
Former RBNY Academy products on the current USMNT roster include Matt Miazga and Tim Weah, as well as Adams. Among the players sent home was Matt Olosunde, an RBNY Academy product rumored to be a transfer target for the Red Bulls.
Depth Test
Many first team players will still be home for these games, from goalkeeper Ryan Meara to striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. Defenders Aurelien Collin and Connor Lade, recently battling injury, will be available to support stalwart starter, Aaron Long. This may also prove an opportunity for recent first team additions Kevin Politz and Ethan Kutler. Carlos Rivas and Ben Mines have already had first team minutes, as well as having scored in MLS play. Marsch has already brought out several different lineups this season, so this is not new territory for the Red Bulls manager.
The US faces Ireland in Dublin on June 2nd and France in Lyon on June 9th. The Red Bulls travel to Gillette Stadium this Saturday to face the New England Revolution and begin their Open Cup Run against NYCFC June 6th.
