FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution defender Henry Kessler has been added to the United States Men’s National Team’s Concacaf Gold Cup roster, pending Concacaf approval, by Head Coach Gregg Berhalter as a medical replacement ahead of Sunday’s Quarterfinal against Jamaica (10:00 p.m. ET – FS1, TUDN, Univision). Kessler joins teammates Matt Turner (United States) and Tajon Buchanan (Canada) in the Gold Cup Quarterfinals as he earns his first call-up and roster selection with the USMNT senior team. Click here to read a complete preview of Sunday’s USMNT match.
Kessler, 23, previously earned two call ups to the Under-23 MNT earlier this year, first joining the squad for January training camp before making three appearances – all starts – at the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship in March. The second-year pro has appeared in 12 games with nine starts for the Revolution this season, giving him 38 appearances for his MLS career across the regular season and playoffs.
As a rookie in 2020, Kessler appeared in all but one game, including four starts in the postseason. Voted the club’s Defender of the Year by media, the first rookie to earn the honor since 2011, Kessler also led the club in interceptions (34), tackles won (21), and possessions won (123), The sixth-overall 2020 MLS SuperDraft pick led all selections in games played (22), starts (19), and minutes played (1,823).
A native of New York, N.Y., Kessler joins Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner on the USMNT’s Gold Cup roster. Turner started all three group-stage games for the United States and led the team to a perfect 3-0-0 record while conceding only one goal. Turner now owns three shutouts in four international appearances. Berhalter’s side won Group B by defeating Haiti, Martinique, and Canada.
The New England Revolution will kick off Sunday’s action going for three straight wins with a 6:00 p.m. ET start at home against CF Montreal, airing locally on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and 1260 AM Nossa Radio. After the Revolution match, fans can tune in to watch Tajon Buchanan and the end of Canada’s Quarterfinal match against Costa Rica, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. ET (FS1, TUDN, Univision). Buchanan has made seven appearances this year with Canada’s senior team between Concacaf World Cup Qualifying and the Gold Cup. The U.S. Men’s National Team will close out the night against Jamaica at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup is the 16th edition of the continental tournament. The Quarterfinal round kicks off on Saturday, July 24, with the tournament final scheduled for Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. The United States has lifted the Concacaf Gold Cup six times, most recently in the 2017 edition. The USMNT won the inaugural tournament in 1991 before being crowned regional champions again in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013.
