Barça Residency Academy alumnus Brooklyn Raines reached another milestone in his rapidly rising professional career this week, earning his first start for the United States Men’s National Team in a 4-2 friendly victory over Chile on September 29 in St. Louis.
The 21-year-old midfielder was named to the starting lineup by U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, becoming one of six players to make their first USMNT start in the match. Raines played the full 90 minutes in the midfield as the United States rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to secure the victory.
The start came just three days after Raines made his senior national team debut as a second-half substitute in the United States’ 4-1 win over Peru. He was one of 11 players to earn their first USMNT cap in that match.
For Raines, the achievement marks another significant step in a journey that began had a four-year stint at Barça Residency Academy.
Journey to the USMNT
Raines joined Barça Residency Academy in 2018 from Inter FC Chicago and spent four years developing at the Academy before beginning his professional career. During his time in Casa Grande, he quickly established himself as one of the country’s top young midfielders.
As a youth player, Raines earned opportunities to train at FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia, where he impressed while training alongside players in his age group. He also represented the United States at the youth international level, beginning a national team journey that would eventually lead to the senior team.
In 2021, Raines made his professional debut with El Paso Locomotive while still a Barça Residency Academy player, joining the USL Championship club on loan for the remainder of the season. He later signed his first professional MLS contract with Houston Dynamo FC in February 2022 at just 16 years old.
Since then, Raines has continued to establish himself at the professional level, even being name to the MLS 22 Under 22 list in 2025. After beginning his MLS career with Houston, he joined the New England Revolution in 2026, where he has started all 13 matches he has played this season and surpassed 3,000 career MLS minutes.
His continued development has also included a strong international résumé. Raines represented the United States at the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship and the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he appeared in all five matches and recorded a goal and an assist.
A New Chapter
Raines’ senior national team breakthrough comes at the beginning of a new four-year cycle for the USMNT. His first start against Chile was part of a young U.S. lineup that featured several players making their first starts at the senior international level.
Raines was one of just two U.S. players to play all 90 minutes against Chile and made several important defensive interventions while also helping dictate play from midfield. He also played a role in the buildup to a U.S. goal with a well-timed tempo-setting pass.
For Barça Residency Academy, Raines’ latest accomplishment adds another chapter to an alumni story that has seen former Academy players progress to the professional and international stages.
From his first years developing in Chicago, to Casa Grande, and La Masia, the USL Championship, MLS, the U.S. youth national teams, and now the senior USMNT, Raines continues to represent the possibilities that come with dedication, development, and the right environment.
Congratulations to Brooklyn on this incredible milestone. Barça Residency Academy is proud to call him an alumnus and looks forward to following the next chapter of his journey with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
