MLS FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati Trio Called up to USMNT Roster for Inaugural Continental Clásico

Published on April 12, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release


Three FC Cincinnati players have been called up to the 23-man United States Men's National Team roster for the inaugural Allstate Continental Clásico facing Mexico on Wednesday, April 19 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Roman Celentano, Matt Miazga and Brandon Vazquez will be part of the USMNT roster taking on El Tri in the first edition of the Continental Clásico, a new annual event that will feature the USMNT hosting a top-tier opponent from North, Central or South America. The match will be broadcast live on TBS, Telemundo and Universo and streamed on HBO Max and Peacock. Coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET, with kickoff set for 10:22 p.m.

FC Cincinnati's three inclusions on the 23-man USMNT roster for the Continental Clásico are the most of any club.

Matt Miazga's inclusion in the United States roster is his first since June 2021 in Concacaf Nations League competition, where he last appeared for his country as a stoppage-time substitute in the semifinals against Honduras, replacing Christian Pulisic to preserve a 1-0 win. Miazga has earned 22 caps for the USMNT in his career dating back to his senior debut in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Nov. 14, 2015.

"I'm very happy to be called up again," said Miazga. "It's been almost two years, and it's always a privilege and honor to represent the USA."

Miazga, a native of Clifton, New Jersey, has started every game this season for FC Cincinnati and is one of 32 non-goalkeepers across Major League Soccer to have played the maximum-possible 630 minutes this season. He has led a Cincinnati backline which has recorded five clean sheets this season, tied for the most in the league.

Brandon Vazquez has been named to the United States senior roster for the second time in his career, after he received his first call-up with the Stars and Stripes in the USMNT January Training Camp this past winter. By earning a spot in the Starting XI for the Stars and Stripes in an international friendly against Serbia on Jan. 25, 2023, he became the first active player in FC Cincinnati club history to appear for the USMNT.

"I'm excited to represent the USMNT for the game against Mexico," said Vazquez. "It's an honor to be called up, and it's a testament to the hard work of the guys here in Cincinnati. I am looking forward to joining the group in Arizona."

In the 29th minute against Serbia, he became the first FC Cincinnati player to score for the U.S. with his glancing header to give the USMNT a 1-0 lead. The Chula Vista, Calif. native appeared in both friendlies during the camp, to total two senior caps with the USMNT entering his latest inclusion in the national team roster.

Roman Celentano earns the second international call-up of his career at any level. Alongside Vazquez, Celentano was named to the USMNT January Training Camp roster earlier this year. The second-year professional was on the bench in the second international friendly of the camp against Colombia on Jan. 28 but did not earn a cap.

"I am honored to be called up for the USA-Mexico game next week, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity," said Celentano. "This call-up is a result of the solid team performances we have been putting together this year, and I am thankful for the group I get to work with in Cincinnati."

The Naperville, Ill. native's five clean sheets for FC Cincinnati this season are tied for the league-lead with Nashville SC's Joe Willis. With his third-consecutive shutout posted this past Saturday against Philadelphia Union, Celentano matched the club record in clean sheets, both in a career (10) and in a single season (5).

USMNT ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; 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)

FC Cincinnati head to expansion side St. Louis CITY SC for the first time and test their league-best nine-game road unbeaten streak this Saturday, April 15 at CITYPARK. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and can be listened to over the radio locally on ESPN 1530.

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