New England-based ballers have been hard at work recently, as 13 names from across the region received call-ups to their respective national teams for the March international window.
Unfortunately, one of the 13 names was unable to compete, as Revolution forward Leo Campana was a late scratch from Ecuador’s training camp roster after sustaining a lower-body injury 20 minutes after subbing in during New England’s 3-1 loss to St. Louis City SC.
The March window got off to a rough start for Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner as Belgium torched the United States Men’s National Team defense as the Red Devils secured a dominant 5-2 victory. Turner and the United States wrap up March’s international action on Tuesday when they welcome Portugal to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Forward Dor Turgeman started Israel’s lone meeting of the window against Georgia on the bench. Turgeman made his way into the match in the 59th minute as Israel trailed 2-0. Israel was able to battle back, ending the day with a 2-2 draw.
Defender Ethan Kohler and Brooklyn Raines got their window off to a good start as the pair started in the United States Under-21’s friendly against Japan, which saw the U.S. walk away with a 2-0 victory. Kohler, Raines, and the U21s wrap up the March window on Tuesday when they face the Korea Republic.
Midfielder Eric Klein and Vermont Green defender Shakir Nixon had a day on Friday as they faced off against the Argentina U20s, with Leo Messi there to take in the action. Nixon got the start while Klein featured on the bench as the U.S. went on to hand Argentina a staggering 3-0 victory. Klein, Nixon, and the U20s wrap up the March window on Tuesday when they face Argentine side Club Atlético Independiente’s reserve side.
Midfielder Cristiano Oliveira started the window on the bench as the U.S. Under-18s faced off against Iceland in the opening match of their Torneio Internacional de Lisboa run, as they secured a 2-1 win over Iceland on the 26th. The 28th saw Oliveira and the U.S. face off against Morocco, but no information on the match has been posted online. Oliveira and the U18s close out tournament action on Tuesday when they face Portugal.
It was a good day for Rhode Island FC midfielder Jojea Kwizera as he found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time as Rwanda went on to secure a 4-0 win over Grenada in friendly competition.
Portland defender Mo Mohamed began his March window on Friday as Somalia began their Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying series against Mauritius with a scoreless draw. Both sides will meet again in the closing match of the series on Tuesday.
Revolution II defender Chris Mbaï-Assem has been hard at work with the Central African Republic during the nation’s training camp. In addition to training, Mbaï-Assem were hard at work off the pitch as the group helped deliver supplies to a local pediatric hospital and spent time with the patients. The group also visited the Faustin-Archange Touadéra Women's Technical Center, one of two new technical centers under construction in the Central African Republic to help further develop soccer talent in the nation.
Revolution Academy prospects Makai Wells and Aarin Prajapati were hard at work with the United States Under-18s as they participated in training camp in Paraguay. Saturday saw the pair feature in the U18s match against host nation Paraguay.
