United States national team interim head coach David Sarachan has called up Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez for the annual January camp in Carson, California, which includes a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at StubHub Center on Sunday, January 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and UniMas.
“I am truly humbled to be called up,” said Ramirez. “This is fulfilling a lifelong dream and an opportunity that I never thought would be possible. I’m motivated to fully take the opportunity that’s in front of me and give it everything I have. I want to thank God, my wife, family, friends and teammates for all of their support and belief in me over the years.”
The call-up is Ramirez’s first and comes after a fantastic debut season in Major League Soccer in 2017. “Superman,” as he is fondly nicknamed, was the Loons’ leading scorer during their inaugural campaign, scoring 14 goals in 30 appearances –– 27 starts –– including a second-half brace in the 4-2 victory over Real Salt Lake and the winner versus Orlando City SC among other impressive performances. He earned MLS Team of the Week appearances in Week 5 and Week 29, the latter due to his goal and two assists in the 4-1 result over FC Dallas.
“It’s a privilege to wear the colors of my country,” Ramirez added. “It’s been a long road to get to this point and I’m excited to continue this journey and see where it takes me.”
Ramirez is Minnesota’s all-time leading scorer across NASL and MLS competition and joins teammate Miguel Ibarra as the club’s second U.S. national team call-up. He has featured in 125 matches for the club across both leagues and now has a chance to let his scoring prowess shine at the international level for the United States. He is one of 30 players selected by Sarachan and will report to camp on Wednesday, January 10.
The U.S. and Bosnia and Herzegovina have met just once before, a 4-3 victory for the Stars and Stripes back in 2013.
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United States roster:
Goalkeepers: Alex Bono (Toronto FC), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland), Cody Cropper (New England Revolution), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC)
Defenders: Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles Football Club)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Russell Canouse (D.C. United), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC), Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids), Ian Harkes (D.C. United), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Orlando City SC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC), Rubio Rubin (Unattached), C.J. Sapong (Philadelphia Union)
United States schedule:
Sunday, January 28: United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8:30 p.m. CT at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
