As the U.S. Men’s National Team prepare for their annual January training camp, United midfielders Paul Arriola, Ian Harkes and Russell Canouse will use the call-up to gain important training and match fitness prior to the 2018 MLS regular season. With 21 of the 30 rostered players being younger than 24, acting USMNT head coach and former Black-and-Red assistant Dave Sarachan insisted the young call-ups are a “focus on the future” for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Head coach Ben Olsen and general manager and VP of soccer operations Dave Kasper will be optimistic about their young midfield core gaining important international experience. Paul Arriola (14 caps, two goals) will be the fourth-most capped player at camp at just 22-years-old, and will have the chance to assume a leadership role in California as one of the seniors on the squad. Arriola will be accompanied by former U.S. Youth National Team U-20 teammate and holding midfielder Russell Canouse, who impressed United fans since his acquisition on Aug. 9. Black-and-Red Homegrown Ian Harkes will also get the opportunity to represent his country for the first time. Harkes, the son of former MLS and USMNT great John Harkes, was a consistent figure in the United lineup last year and will look to use the national call-up as a chance to continue to develop and improve on an impressive rookie season.
Black-and-Red fans should also recognize the promise that 17-year-old Chris Durkin presents, as the Homegrown had an impressive campaign with the USYNT at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. The midfielder/defender appeared in all five of the Americans' games at the World Cup and scored in the 3-0 win against India in the opening match on Oct. 6, 2017, earning him Man of the Match honors. United and USMNT fans should be hopeful about the prospect of Durkin manning the midfield or defense for United and the national team in the near future.
With the Black-and-Red's young midfield core gaining important national team exposure as they look to maximize their potential in 2018, take a look back at how each midfielder performed for United last year.
Paul Arriola
Position: Midfield/Wing
USMNT Statistics: 15 GP, 2 G, 2 A
2017 MLS Statistics: 11 GP, 1 G, 2 A
Arriola played extensively in the USMNT's World Cup qualifying campaign, appearing in five of the Yanks' matches. The pacy midfielder joined United when he was signed as a Young Designated Player on Aug. 10, 2017, and went on to start in all 11 of the Black-and-Red's remaining games, logging 922 minutes. Arriola made an instant impact on offense, slotting into the wide midfield position next to playmaker Luciano Acosta and using his speed down the flanks to generate scoring chances. Against San Jose on Sept. 23, Arriola recorded his first two MLS assists, setting up two of Patrick Mullins’ record-setting four goals in the second half. The California native then notched his first MLS goal and final United goal at historic RFK Stadium on Oct. 22 against New York, driving in a Luciano Acosta cross at the back post.
Russell Canouse
Position: Holding Midfielder
USMNT Statistics: (0 GP, 0 G, 0 A)
2017 MLS Statistics: (10 GP, 0 G, 1 A)
Canouse has earned his first call-up to the USMNT senior squad after playing extensively for the U-20 USYNT as a young adult, then providing United with defensive stability in the midfield since arriving to D.C. on Aug. 8, 2017. The 22-year-old made his MLS debut in the 1-0 win against Colorado on Aug. 19 and started 10 matches for United last season, playing 90 minutes in eight of his appearances. Canouse's defensive strength was showcased when he was named to the MLS Team of the Week after helping the Black-and-Red earn a shutout win over New England on Aug. 26. The midfielder recorded his first career MLS assist against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 27 by providing the final pass for Patrick Mullins’ 70th-minute goal.
Position: Center Midfield
USMNT Statistics: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A
2017 MLS Statistics: 25 GP, 2 G, 1 A
Harkes is another player who has earned his first call-up to the USMNT. The 2016 MAC Hermann award winner was a key contributor in his rookie season with the Black-and-Red, playing in 25 games (22 starts) and finishing with two goals and an assist. The midfielder was among the leaders in Major League Soccer’s 2017 rookie class—he was third in regular-season minutes played (1,948), third for games started (22), and second for passing accuracy (82.7%) for rookies that started at least 10 matches. Harkes was also third for chances created (19) behind Real Salt Lake’s Brooks Lennon (34) and Atlanta’s Julian Gressel (35). The 22-year-old scored his first MLS goal against Dallas on July 4 with a first-time finish that earned him an MLS Goal of the Week award. The central midfielder then added a second goal in consecutive games on July 19 against Seattle.
Position: Midfield/Defense
USMNT Statistics: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A
2017 MLS Statistics: (0 GP, 0 G, 0 A)
While United’s eighth Homegrown Signing is still vying for his MLS debut, he appeared in his second career Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match for the Black-and-Red, starting in the 4-1 win against Christos FC on June 13. The midfielder made 11 starts for United’s USL affiliates the Richmond Kickers and was an efficient two-way player, accounting for 17 interceptions and four shots on target in 990 minutes. In international play, Durkin started for the U-17 U.S. Men’s National Team in all five of their matches at the at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, playing all 450 minutes. Durkin scored his first U-17 World Cup goal against hosts India in the Americans' first match and earned Man of the Match honors for his efforts on both sides of the ball. The Glen Allen, Va., native’s consistent play also helped the U.S. win their first knockout round game at the tournament since 1999, defeating Paraguay 5-0 in the Round of 16.
