After dropping a 2-1 decision to Serbia in its opening match of the year, the U.S. men’s national team will wrap its first training camp of the 2026 World Cup cycle with a game against South American power Colombia on Saturday.
Eight players earned their first caps against Serbia, while five more will seek their first senior international appearances against a Colombia side eager to kick off the new cycle after narrowly missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Saturday’s kickoff of USA-Colombia from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, Telemundo, Peacock and the Telemundo App.
In the USA’s opening match of the new year, a remarkably green line-up fought hard but ultimately couldn’t overcome Serbiain the USMNT’s first match at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. Debutant forward Brendan Vazquez opened the scoring in the 29th minute, flicking a header off a perfectly served cross from right back Julian Gressel. Young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina made a number of standout saves in the first half, but Serbia was able to equalize on a free kick from Luka Ilić just before the half. A lapse in concentration found Serbia the eventual game-winner moments into the second half, and while the young Americans responded well, led by a strong effort from forward Cade Cowell, they were unable to find another goal.
Eight players made their USMNT debuts on Wednesday night against Serbia: goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, defenders Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones and Jalen Neal, midfielders Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora plus forwards Brandon Vázquez and Alex Zendejas. The eight first caps were the most for the U.S. in a single match since a 2-0 win against Canada on Sept. 3, 1992. All but Jones started the match, and the seven debutants in the starting XI were the USA’s most since a 1-0 loss to Guatemala on Jan. 10, 1988.
U.S. roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 10/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Gómez (Real Sociedad/ESP; 2/0), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 1/0), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 1/0), Aaron Long (LAFC; 30/3), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 1/0), Sam Rogers (Rosenborg/NOR; 0/0), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 38/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; 0/0), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 56/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 1/0), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; 2/0), Alan Soñora (Unattached; 1/0), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; 5/0)
FORWARDS (7): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 49/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 16/7), Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough/ENG; 7/1), Emmanuel Sabbi (Odense/DEN; 0/0), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 1/1), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America/MEX; 1/0)
Colombia roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): José Chunga (Alianza Petrolera; 2/0), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios; 3/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG; 26/1), Junior Hernández (Deportes Tolima; 0/0) Nicolás Hernández (Athletico Paranaense/BRA; 0/0), Andrés Lilnás (Millionarios; 2/0), Juan David Mosquera (Portland Timbers/USA; 0/0), Alexis Pérez (Giresunspor/TUR), Andrés Reyes (New York Red Bulls/USA; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Jorman Campuzano (Giresunspor/TUR; 2/0), Kevin Castaño (Águilas Doradas; 0/0), Daniel Cataño (Millionarios; 0/0) Daniel Ruiz (Millionarios; 0/0), Yilmar Velasquez (Deportivo Pereira; 0/0)
FORWARDS (6): Christian Arango (LAFC/USA; 1/0), Dylan Borrero (New England Revolution/USA; 0/0), Didier Cambindo (Independiente Medellín; 0/0), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew/USA; 2/2), Santiago Moreno (Portland Timbers/USA; 1/0), Diego Valoyes (Talleres/ARG; 3/0)
