Rapids midfielder and national team constant Kellyn Acosta has yet again been called up to the national team for the next round of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. This month’s slate includes a matchup with Octagonal top-ranked opponent Mexico and a repeat qualifying face off with Jamaica after taking a 2-0 victory in October.
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has seen Acosta’s experience shine through this year as the Plano, Texas native has recorded 18 caps for the national squad in 2021 alone. His 42 overall appearances with the team make him the third most experienced player on the current squad, behind only Gyasi Zardes and Deandre Yedlin.
In qualifying competition thus far, Acosta has tallied 305 minutes on the pitch in five games played. Prior to the most recent face off with Costa Rica, the midfielder held a 19-match long consecutive games played streak, dating back to the 6-0 win against El Salvador on Dec. 9, 2020. The run of games was the longest by a USMNT player since Landon Donovan played 35-straight matches from 2001-2003.
Rapids’ Homegrown midfielder and Royal Antwerp transfer Sam Vines also received the call-up from Berhalter on Thursday. The left-back has recorded three appearances with the Belgian side this season. His call-up to the USMNT will be his first since his national team debut against Haiti in the Concacaf Gold Cup in July, where he scored his first goal with the team.
The final round matchup with Mexico will take place on November 12th at 7:00 PM at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Next, the squad will travel for this year’s second meeting with Jamaica, taking the pitch at Independence Park in Kingston on November 16th at 3:00 PM. More information on both matches can be found here.
