The U.S. Under-19 men's national team is continuing its preparations under new head Marko Mitrovic this month with several MLS NEXT Pro standouts earning international repetitions.
Esmir Bajraktarevic, Juan Castilla, Noel Buck, and Reed Baker-Whiting headlined the 23-player roster announced by U.S. Soccer for a camp in Carson, California from July 25-August 2. A total of 14 of 23 players have featured in at least one MLS NEXT Pro match this season, while seven of the 14 have totaled 10 appearances or more in 2022.
Both Bajraktartic and Buck have made 14 appearances apiece in the midfield of New England Revolution II. Baker-Whiting has contributed one goal and one assist in 11 appearances for Tacoma Defiance while goalkeeper Gavin Beavers has logged 18 saves and two clean sheets for Real Monarchs.
A total of seven players have been a part of all three U-19 training camps under Mitrovic’s tutelage, while eight are making their first appearance with the U-19s overall.
All 23 players called in are also age-eligible for the USMNT U-20s, which just qualified for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia earlier this summer. 20 of the 23 players are currently part of an MLS franchise.
Here is a closer look at which training camp invitees have featured in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022:
DEFENDERS: Drew Murray (San Jose Earthquakes), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas), Justin Reynolds (Chicago Fire FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution), Noel Buck (New England Revolution), Juan Castilla (Houston Dynamo FC), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack Panayotou (New England Revolution), Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo FC).
FORWARDS: Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC), Favian Loyola (Orlando City SC), Sergio Oregel Jr. (Chicago Fire FC), Ethan Subachan (Orlando City SC).
