Frankie Amaya removed from USMNT roster due to positive COVID-19 test

The United States Men’s National Team has been forced to make a roster change ahead of its friendly against El Salvador. U.S. Soccer announced today that FC Cincinnati midfielder Frankie Amaya has been removed from the roster due to a confirmed positive coronavirus test result.

The positive test occurred during U.S. Soccer’s testing upon arrival at camp. He had tested negative in all tests he had taken before he arrived in Florida. He is currently in isolation and no other players or staff at camp were exposed to him during the arrival process.

Amaya will be replaced on the 22-man roster by Orlando City midfielder Andrés Perea. The 20-year-old Perea is a dual national of the United States and Colombia, and started all 5 matches for Colombia at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Because he has represented Colombia at the youth level, he is ineligible to play in international competition for the USMNT unless he files a one-time switch with FIFA. Coupled with Efrain Alvarez also being ineligible to play for the same reason (he has represented Mexico at the youth international level), there are currently 22 players on the roster, but only 20 of them are available to play against El Salvador on December 9th.

The 22-man roster, as it stands now:

GOALKEEPERS (3): CJ Dos Santos (Benfica), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls), Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union), Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Andrés Perea (Orlando City)

FORWARDS (6): Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC), Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Chris Mueller (Orlando City)

More players could be added to the roster pending the results of the MLS Western Conference Semifinals, which take place tonight and tomorrow. Above all, we wish Frankie Amaya a speedy recovery and hope the rest of camp can take place without any other issues related to the coronavirus.