IRVINE, Calif. --- The United States Soccer Men's National Team announced its roster for the upcoming U-20 training camp which includes Anteater freshman, Kwabena Boateng.
 

The @USMNT has announced our very own Kwabena Boateng has been selected to participate in the upcoming U-20 training camp!

Congrats, KB! ??

??: https://t.co/JzIjwneL7Y pic.twitter.com/0qHUUoCLa9

— UCI M Soccer (@UCImsoc) August 30, 2019

The 6-4 freshman center back has yet to play a regular season match for UC Irvine, but will rise up to the next level of international soccer having trained with the U-18 squad previously. He is 1 of 2 members of the squad currently playing at the college level joining Saint Louis University keeper Patrick Schulte on the squad of 22 players.

Head Coach Yossi Raz along with his teammates showed their full support. "We understand that there's a bigger picture than helping us win ballgames. We need to take a step back and be excited for him and his individualistic growth. When its the U.S. National Team, we need to do what we can do to move this country to be the best that it can be."

Boateng joins up with the U-20 team on September 1 traveling to the city of Rogaska Slatina in the European country of Slovenia and training with them for 10 days. It's the first event of the 2020-21 U-20 cycle, and the squad will play a pair of friendlies against the Croatia U-20 team, a team that just missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Olympic tournament, and the United Arab Emirates U-23 team, a squad that is preparing to qualify for the 2020 Olympic tournament in January.

U.S. Soccer release

Boateng joins Brad Evans and Anteaters that have competed with the U.S. U-20 team. Evans played five matches in 2005 while part of the UC Irvine squad, and Evans would eventually earn a spot on the senior National Team appearing in 27 matches over eight years.

"We're about developing individuals to the best of our abilities. We want them to eventually graduate from here, and also to have the best experience while they're here. When you have a chance to represent the country in such an event, there is no doubt that it will benefit him on a professional level."

UC Irvine men's soccer will have coverage of KB and the team as they compete in Slovenia. Boateng will return to the team in time for the home opener vs. No. 13 Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 6 in Anteater Stadium.

 

Date	Time	Friendly	Links
Thursday, Sept. 5	TBD	vs. Croatia
Monday, Sept. 9	TBD	vs. United Arab Emirates U-23