Teenage Defender Born In Abuja, Orlando City's Dike Among 10 Uncapped Players In USA Squad

Published: January 24, 2021

United States head coach Gregg Berhalter has named a 25-player roster ahead of an international friendly against Trinidad & Tobago on January 31 in Orlando, with two Nigeria-eligible youngsters making the cut.

Atlanta United left back George Bello and Orlando City's Daryl Dike are among ten uncapped players selected for the camp, the others being Matt Freese, Aaron Herrera, JT Marcinkowski, Benji Michel, Andrés Perea, Mauricio Pineda, Tanner Tessmann and Matt Turner.

Born in Nigeria's capital Abuja nineteen years ago, Bello has represented the United States at U14 and U15 levels, and played two matches at the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.

Bello has received a maiden call-up to the USMNT following a breakout 2020 season, starting 19 matches in Major League Soccer and totaling 1,648 minutes.

Orlando City rising star Dike has earned a recall to the squad after withdrawing from the December camp due to injury.

The powerful striker comes from a footballing family, his older brother Bright Dike has played for the Super Eagles while his sister Courtney was a member of the Nigeria squad to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Ayo Akinola, who has flirted with the Canada national team in recent weeks, has been left out of the United States roster as he is nursing an injury.

The Toronto FC striker took part in USMNT's friendly against El Salvador last month, scoring the fifth goal in a 6-0 win.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : atlutd.com

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