Star Louisville City FC defender Josh Wynder reached a new career milestone Wednesday when named to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s April camp roster.
Wynder as a result became the third-ever active USL Championship player included on a U.S. senior team following former LouCity standout Jonathan Gomez and Orange County SC’s Kobi Henry, who were originally invited to the squad in December 2021.
“It’s an honor to be called up to the senior national team,” Wynder said. “It’s another step toward my goals. I’m excited to get to camp, learn and continue growing as a player.”
The 17-year-old Wynder is the youngest player on the 23-player USMNT roster tasked with training toward the Allstate Continental Clásico on April 19 against Mexico. This new competition will annually see the USMNT hosting a top-tier opponent from North, Central or South America.
Game coverage will start at 10 p.m. on TBS, Telemundo and Universo with streaming via HBO Max and Peacock. The USMNT and Mexico will kick off at 10:22 p.m. from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
“We are delighted with the group we have put together,” said USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson. “Anytime you get to play against your closest rivals it’s a special opportunity, and we have players who understand what this rivalry is all about and are ready to compete in the Allstate Continental Clásico. It’s another chance to build on the progress we have made in the last four years and prepare for the defense of our two Concacaf titles this summer.”
Wynder would reach rare air should he see the field against Mexico. He would join Gomez, who appeared for the USMNT in a December 2021 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the only U.S.-based non-Major League Soccer players capped by the national team since Miguel Ibarra in in 2015.
Wynder previously received call-ups to the U.S. U-19 and U-20 youth national teams within the last year. Following USMNT camp, his next stop could be the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May.
The center back was sensational in his most-recent club start, anchoring LouCity’s back line last Saturday against Detroit City FC. He won all 10 of his duels — 7 on the ground, 3 aerial — and led LouCity with 4 clearances in a shutout victory.
Wynder will depart for USMNT camp after Saturday’s showdown with San Antonio FC, a rematch of the 2022 USL Championship Final starting at 7:30 p.m. inside Lynn Family Stadium.
The Louisville native’s stock continues to rise after nominations last year for both U.S. Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year and USL Championship Young Player of the Year. Wynder turns 18 on May 2, when he will become eligible for the European transfer he’s aspiring to as the summer window opens.
USMNT Roster by Position (Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 11/0)
Defenders (9): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Aaron Long (LAFC; 31/3), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 22/1), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 17/1), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; 0/0), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 77/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)
Midfielders (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 57/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 32/0), James Sands (New York City FC; 7/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 16/0)
Forwards (5): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 50/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 17/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 51/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 2/1)
