FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution defender Henry Kessler has been called in to the United States Men’s National Team’s training camp ahead of the knockout stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Kessler was called in by Head Coach Gregg Berhalter and will begin training with the USMNT on Wednesday ahead of the Quarterfinal matchup with Jamaica on Sunday, July 25. Kickoff on FS1 is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Kessler, 23, is poised to join the United States Men’s National Team for the first time in his career. He previously earned two call ups to the U-23 MNT earlier this year, first joining the squad for January training camp before making three appearances – all starts – at the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship in March.
A native of New York, N.Y., Kessler joins Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner in USMNT camp. Turner started all three group-stage games for the United States and led the team to a perfect 3-0-0 record while conceding only one goal. Turner now owns three shutouts in four international appearances. Berhalter’s side won Group B by defeating Haiti, Martinique, and Canada.
The second-year pro has appeared in 12 games with nine starts for the Revolution this season. As a rookie in 2020, Kessler appeared in all but one game across all competitions at center back, including four starts in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. He paced New England in interceptions (34), tackles won (21), and possessions won (123), and became the first rookie to win Revolution Defender of the Year since 2011. Selected by New England with the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft following an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Virginia, Kessler led all selections in games played (22), starts (19), and minutes played (1,823).
In addition to Kessler and Turner, Revolution midfielder Tajon Buchanan has played in every Gold Cup game thus far for the Canada Men’s National Team. Canada finished second in Group B behind the United States and will face Costa Rica in the Quarterfinal round on Sunday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Buchanan has made seven appearances this year with Canada’s senior team between Concacaf World Cup Qualifying and the Gold Cup.
The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup is the 16th edition of the continental tournament. The Quarterfinal round kicks off on Saturday, July 24, with the tournament final scheduled for Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. The United States has lifted the Concacaf Gold Cup six times, most recently in the 2017 edition. The USMNT won the inaugural tournament in 1991 before being crowned regional champions again in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013.
