Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty is a late addition to the all-MLS roster assembled by USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, bringing the total total count to 20 players for the two-week Arizona-based camp.
US Soccer announced the addition late on Saturday, adding a 17th outfield player to the collection that was assembled as a prelude to the full USMNT camp prior to the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.
Trusty’s inclusion should come as no surprise, as he was also called into the December camp in California, however did not play in the friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina at its conclusion.
The Pennsylvania-born has been a dependable, left-footed central defender for both Philadelphia Union and more recently the Rapids since the beginning of the 2018 season. This has led to murmurs of European interest for the 23 year-old as he continues on an upward trajectory, with Arsenal being the most sensational club linked so far.
While still a long-shot to break into a solid, if not overabundant corps of central defenders available to Gregg Berhalter for the upcoming qualifying games, this will keep the American in the eyes of the national team evaluators as they also plan for a busy 2022 that will also include six games of the CONCACAF Nations League group stage.
The now-20-man squad is currently training in Phoenix, Arizona. US Soccer has indicated that several closed-door scrimmages will be played, however no opponents have been named.