Louisville City FC’s Josh Wynder will once again don the red, white and blue for the United States Men’s Youth National Team after the local defender received a third call-up to the Under-19 squad, U.S. Soccer announced Friday.
The 17-year-old will join the U-19s for the fourth Slovenia Nations Cup in Terme Catez, Slovenia, where the team will compete against Malta (1 p.m. Wednesday), Croatia (1 p.m. Sept. 23) and Scotland (11 a.m. Sept. 27).
Wynder was first brought in by coach Marko Mitrović for a training camp in April before earning his first USYNT caps in a pair of friendly wins over England and Norway in June. He wore the captain’s armband against England.
At this camp, Wynder will be one of only two USL Championship players on the 20-member roster, joining Orange County SC forward Oluwakorede Osundina. Most players hail from Major League Soccer organizations, with a select few representing Europe’s top divisions, such as Leicester City (English Premier League) and Atletico Madrid (Spain’s La Liga).
“It’s always an honor to wear the crest, and I’m grateful for another opportunity to represent my country,” Wynder said. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates and coaches here in Louisville pushing me.”
Wynder will join the U-19s in Slovenia following Saturday’s game against Loudoun United FC.
Having battled an ankle injury since late July, Wynder recently returned in Saturday’s scoreless draw at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. A first half substitute for an injured Wes Charpie, Wynder won seven duels and three fouls while passing at a 72% clip.
Despite the recent setback, the LouCity academy graduate has been a mainstay along coach Danny Cruz’s back line in this season. With 16 starts in 17 appearances, Wynder has amassed 38 clearances and 24 interceptions, and he scored his first professional goal in a July 2 victory over Birmingham Legion FC.
“This is another great opportunity for Josh to represent our country in some international matches,” Cruz said. “This call-up is a testament to his growth and the work that he continues to put in on a daily basis. We are looking forward to seeing him perform in these games and welcoming him back as we continue our push toward the playoffs.”
All the players called to Slovenia are eligible for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the 2024 Olympics. The players born in 2005 – including Wynder – are also age-eligible for the 2024-25 U-20 World Cup.
U-19 MYNT Roster by Position (Club/College; Hometown)
Goalkeepers (2): Antonio Carrera (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes; Salina, Calif.)
Defenders (7): Noah Allen (Inter Miami CF; Pembroke Pines, Fla.), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.), Alexander Freeman (Orlando City SC; Plantation, Fla.), Kobi Henry (Reims/FRA; Lakeland, Fla.), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Celina, Texas), Thomas Williams (Orlando City SC; Titusville, Fla.), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City FC; Louisville, Ky.)
Midfielders (7): Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; Miami, Fla.), Zach Booth (Leicester City/ENG; Eden, Utah), Bryan Moyado (LAFC; La Puente, Calif.), Sergio Oregel Jr. (Chicago Fire FC; Chicago, Ill.), Jack Panayotou (Georgetown; Cambridge, Mass.), Marcel Ruszel (Torino/ITA; Chicago, Ill.), Owen Wolff (Austin FC; Austin, Texas)
Forwards (4): Favian Loyola (Orlando City SC; Orlando, Fla.), Rodrigo Neri (Atletico Madrid/ESP; Madrid, Spain), Oluwakorede Osundina (Orange County SC; Redmond, Wash.), Marcos Zambrano-Delgado (Philadelphia Union; Gladwyne, Pa.)
