Brandon Vazquez, Roman Celentano called up to USMNT January Camp

CHICAGO – FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez and Roman Celentano have been called up to the 24-man roster for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s upcoming BioSteel January Training Camp, U.S. Soccer announced today. The USMNT training camp will take place in Carson, Calif. and will feature two International Friendlies against Serbia (Wed., Jan. 25 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles) and Colombia (Sat., Jan. 28 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.). 

An appearance for Vazquez or Celentano in one of the friendlies would mark the first cap in club history for an FC Cincinnati player with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Since 1999, a total of 30 players who earned their first or second cap in the annual USMNT January Camp went on to play in a FIFA World Cup.

Vazquez and Celentano, each earning their first call-up with the U.S. Men’s National Team, become the third and fourth players in FC Cincinnati club history to earn a senior call-up with the USMNT (Greg Garza, January 2019; Frankie Amaya, December 2020).

Vazquez’s first senior call-up with the USMNT comes following the 24-year-old’s breakout 2022 campaign with the Orange and Blue. In 33 games, the forward scored a career-high 18 goals and eight assists. He netted a club-record 20 goals across all competitions, including the game-winner against the New York Red Bulls in FCC’s first-ever MLS Cup Playoff win in October. He was named to the 2022 MLS All-Star team and was honored in MLS’ Best XI squad at the end of the season.

The Chula Vista, Calif. native has previously represented the United States at the U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels. He was one of two players – along with Chelsea FC’s Christian Pulisic – to score for the U.S. at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Vazquez tallied twice, scoring his goals in group stage matches against Chile and Croatia.

Celentano earns his first call-up with the United States at any level. The Naperville, Ill. native made 27 appearances with FC Cincinnati as the starting goalkeeper last season in his rookie year, recording five clean sheets. His 85 saves, two penalties saved, and 67% save percentage ranked best in MLS among goalkeepers aged 22 or younger, and his 27 appearances ranked second to Chicago Fire FC’s Gabriel Slonina, who has since signed with Chelsea FC.

Celentano, 22, was FC Cincinnati’s first round selection in last season’s MLS SuperDraft and is a Generation adidas product. The two-time All-American at Indiana University was the third goalie in MLS SuperDraft history to be selected within the top-two spots of the draft, joining elite company in Brad Guzan and Andre Blake.

USMNT assistant coach Anthony Hudson will lead the training camp while fellow World Cup assistant B.J. Callaghan and Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team head coach Mikey Varas will serve as assistant coaches.

USMNT Roster By Position (Club/Country; Caps/Goals) – BioSteel January Camp
GOALKEEPERS (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Unattached; 10/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Gómez (Real Sociedad/ESP; 1/0), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 0/0), Aaron Long (LAFC; 29/3), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 0/0), Sam Rogers (Rosenborg/NOR; 0/0), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 37/3)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; 0/0), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 55/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 0/0), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; 1/0), Alan Soñora (Unattached; 0/0), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; 4/0)

FORWARDS (7): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 48/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 1/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 16/7), Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough/ENG; 6/1), Emmanuel Sabbi (Odense/DEN; 0/0), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America/MEX; 0/0)

USMNT Schedule/How To Watch
Wed., Jan. 25 – vs. Serbia, Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET; HBO Max, Universo, Peacock, Telemundo App)

Sat., Jan. 28 – vs. Colombia, Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif. (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, Telemundo, Peacock, Telemundo App)