March 19, 2020
Casa Grande, Ariz – Barça Residency Academy alumni Julian Araujo is one of 20 players selected by U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team head coach Jason Kreis who will represent the United States at the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship, to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico from March 18-30.
Araujo, 19, is named to the final U-23 U.S. Men’s National Team roster after a breakout 2020 season with LA Galaxy where he appeared in 17 matches and earned LA Galaxy Defender of the Year. The Barça alumni also made his USMNT senior team debut in December of 2020 where he provided an assist in the USA’s 6-0 win over El Salvador.
Kreis selected the squad from a 28-player training camp roster that began training March 1 in Mexico.
“We know that qualifying will be a challenge, but it’s a challenge that we’re ready for. We’ll need all 20 players on this roster to contribute for us to achieve our ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympics,” Kreis said. “We’ve had a productive training camp in Guadalajara and our players are hungry for the opportunity to compete. After starting this journey nearly two years ago, we’re excited to get started with the tournament.”
The U-23’s journey to Japan began on Thursday with a critical 1-0 win over Costa Rica. The U.S. will face the Dominican Republic on Sunday, March 21 (4 p.m. MST; FS1, TUDN) and wrap up the group stage against Mexico on Thursday, March 24 (6:30 p.m. MST; FS1, TUDN).
Barça Residency Academy wishes Julian and the U-23 USMNT all the best as the U.S. aims to qualify for it’s first Olympic Games since 2008.
