Kyle Duncan added to U-23 January Camp roster after positive Covid test

U.S. Soccer announced yesterday that one U-23 men’s national team invitee “tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival to training camp.” The unnamed player has been isolated and is currently in quarantine, but has not been released from the roster. According to an official press release, “no other members of the delegation have tested positive” and contact tracing is being conducted.

Because of the positive test, United States U-23 head coach Jason Kreis added fullback Kyle Duncan to the U-23 roster. Goalkeeper Matt Freese and defender Donovan Pines were also recently named to the squad. The 27-player group will train with 12 senior players, after which a combined team will take on a yet to be confirmed opponent on January 31st. Rumors have that match being played against Serbia.

Duncan began his professional career with Valenciennes in Ligue 2 after spending time with the New York Red Bulls academy. In 2018, he returned to his former club but suffered a torn ACL that ended his season. The dynamic right back broke out last year, scoring three goals in 23 appearances and earning his club’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old has been an occasional inclusion at the youth national team level, previously joining the U-18 and U-20 squads. He last appeared with the U-23s in September 2019, playing the second half of a 2-0 friendly victory against Japan. The Brooklyn native made his USMNT debut in December’s 6-0 win over El Salvador.

As of late, right back is becoming a position of strength for U.S. Soccer, with several emerging prospects jockeying for call-ups. Duncan is a talented attacking player, frequently pushing the tempo and becoming involved in the final third. While not included in the initial roster, he could be an asset in Olympic qualifying and at the eventual Tokyo Games.

The updated U-23 roster:

Goalkeepers: Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Brady Scott (Austin FC)

Defenders: George Bello (Atlanta United FC), Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls), Chris Gloster (PSV Eindhoven), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake), Aboubacar Keita (Columbus Crew SC), Henry Kessler (New England Revolution), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire), Donovan Pines (D.C. United), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids)

Midfielders: Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United FC), Bryang Kayo (Wolfsburg), Andrés Perea* (Orlando City SC), Tanner Tessmann (FC Dallas), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards: Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC), Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids), Benji Michel (Orlando City SC), Djordje Mihailovic (Montreal Impact)

*Andrés Perea is ineligible to play in any matches for the United States, as he has yet to file a one-time switch from Colombia with FIFA