After two weeks training at IMG Academy, Kyle Duncan and Aaron Long have been training in Orlando ahead of their friendly against Trinidad and Tobago this Sunday in Orlando.
The final 25-player roster was selected from an initial list of 12 senior team players and 26 U-23 MNT players.
Our right-back is aware that these weeks have been important for the U.S. Men’s National Team as it prepares for a busy calendar year.
“When you come to these camps, you just have to play at the best of your ability and just show what you have to offer, and hope that you're picked for certain events that might be coming up,” said Duncan. “There's a lot of events coming up this year, which are World Cup Qualifiers, Gold Cup, Nations League, and even the Olympics. It's really great to be here and just be able to play with these guys that are here as well.”
The average age of Gregg Berhalter’s current roster is 23 years and 10 months. Long will look to play his fifth match wearing the USMNT captain’s armband.
Sixteen players are age-eligible for the 2021 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship to be played from March 18-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico, among them is Duncan, who took part in the 6-0 USMNT win over El Salvador last month.
Next up is a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, a friendly where Duncan hopes the Stars and Stripes will give a great performance.
“We have a game coming up against Trinidad and Tobago, and it'll be a great game to just show what you can bring to the table and show them that you deserve a spot on the National Team,” he said. “It's just always great being here, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I'll continue to just train hard and continue to play to the best of my ability.”
Duncan’s time in Florida has been busy and looks forward to take advantage of his opportunities with the U-23 and senior National Teams.
“Honestly speaking, it's been a pretty long three weeks, you could say, and I feel like we're all fully prepared to go into this game against Trinidad and just show what we have to offer,” said Duncan. “Whenever you get these opportunities you have to make the best out of them because it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity or it can be an opportunity that excels further in life for you.
“I just feel like every time you get this opportunity, just make the best of it and show what you have to offer because you never know when you'll get this opportunity again.”
