Matthew Olosunde could be in line to get his first United States National Team cap before he ever plays a professional game.
The Trenton native was one of 22 players named to interim coach Dave Sarachan roster’s for a friendly against Bolivia on May 28 at the Union’s Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa.
Olosunde, 20, is on the books at Manchester United, but he’s only appeared in reserve matches since signing with the Premier League giant after his 18th birthday.
His call-up comes as a surprise considering he’s nowhere near Jose Mourinho’s first team, but this could be an opportunity for the former Mooch Soccer product to perform ahead of a move to another club.
Olosunde was in the Red Bulls academy prior to his move abroad and there is mutual interest between both parties in a possible reunion.
“Matt Olosunde has had a good experience developing with a high-profile club like Manchester United,” Sarachan said in a Q&A on the U.S. Soccer site. “He’s been on our radar as a young defender for a number of years, and obviously the club also saw something in him. He’s a versatile defender that can play anywhere on the back line. He possesses good size and strength. He was available to be a part of this camp, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to bring him in for a closer look.”
The game against Bolivia is the first of three for the U.S. team this summer. It also travels to Ireland and France for pre-World Cup friendlies. Sarachan will make changes to the roster prior to the games in Europe.
The U.S., of course, won’t be participating in Russia after its disastrous qualifying campaign ended with an embarrassing 2-1 setback at Trinidad & Tobago on a night it only needed a draw to make the World Cup.
In the meantime, Sarachan has served as the interim head coach and recorded draws against Portugal and Bosnia & Herzegovina and a win over Paraguay. The U.S. is expected to hire a general manager in the near future and that person would then select a new head coach for the next cycle.
Major League Soccer clubs were not required to release their players because this game doesn’t fall on a FIFA international date, therefore the roster is largely made up of young players based outside the United States.
Superstar teenager Christian Pulisic is in the squad for the first time since that loss in Trinidad. Pulisic, who plays in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund, is from nearby Hershey, Pa., and this is seen as a homecoming game for him.
Olosunde isn’t the only Mercer County product who could find himself on the U.S. radar in the coming months. Former Notre Dame High standout Jake Nerwinski has raised his profile with a strong run at right back since the Vancouver Whitecaps selected him seventh overall out of UConn in the 2017 SuperDraft.
Nerwinski, 23, has started all 26 career games he’s appeared in, including seven this season.
