The future of the US men’s national team got even brighter Monday with the announcement that 18-year-old Yunus Musah has made a commitment to compete for Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
Musah joins the likes of MLS academy products Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams as well as Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest and Tim Weah as promising European-based players under the age of 22 in the USMNT system.
“I think it was pretty clear for me to decide to play for the United States,” Musah said in a press release. “First of all, I think it makes sense to represent the country I was born in. The moment I decided to play for the United States came one day when my heart told me that this was the best place for me. The project that we have now and for the future is so exciting, and it’s a great pleasure to be able to be a part of that. I can’t wait to get started.”
Born in New York City, the dynamic midfielder competes for La Liga side Valencia and is expected to join the USMNT for upcoming friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland in the FIFA international window later this month
Musah, who was also eligible to play for England, Ghana and Italy, impressed in his debut for the USMNT in a pair of friendlies against Panama and Wales last November.
“Yunus is an exceptional talent. For his age, it’s impressive what he can do,” Berhalter said. “When the group first met him, we were immediately drawn to his personality and what a great person he is. When you see him play, you realize there is a ton of talent as well. We’re really excited, because not only is Yunus a player for today, he’s a player for the future.”
