IRVINE, Calif. — Recently, Haji Wright and Auston Trusty found themselves reminiscing while browsing through old photos on their phones. Their digital journey took them all the way back to 2014, a time when both were just 16 and aspiring to make their mark in U.S. youth camps.
As the U.S. men’s national team gears up for their World Cup opener against Paraguay this Friday, it appears unlikely that either Wright or Trusty will be in the starting lineup. Yet, this does little to diminish their journey, a narrative shared by all 26 players on the roster.
Many players on this team are of a similar age, having climbed the ranks together, attending the same youth camps, and forging a collective path. The pivotal summer of 2018 was a defining moment when the U.S., Mexico, and Canada secured the rights to host this World Cup, a tournament that conveniently aligns with the peak of their careers.
“You want to fight for guys like that,” expressed Christian Pulisic on Thursday. “I’ve been alongside some of these teammates for so long. It’s important not to let them down. You want to give it your all and support them, always having their backs.”