FRISCO, Texas – With 2020 upon us, we’re inching closer to the team reporting to Toyota Stadium for preseason camp, but for Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal, the competition will start a little earlier.
“It’s gonna be good for me. It’s a long camp. It’s not like we’re going in and having to play two games right away. So I have a little bit longer to get into camp and train,” says Pomykal. “It’s nice coming off surgery, being able to get strengthening in the offseason and now being able to get a nice base before the [MLS] season. It really makes for a good month.”
With this UnitedHealthcare call-up, Paxton Pomykal heads into his second camp with the U.S Men’s National Team, alongside teammates Reggie Cannon and Jesús Ferreira, his first senior team call up.
“It’s a happy feeling,” says Ferreira. “I’ve been working to get my citizenship for a while now. And everyone knows that it’s been a long process. All that work, all that progress, it’s finally paid off. I’m happy that the U.S. National Team program knows I was working to get that call-up. And that I’m happy for it.”
Paxton Pomykal made his USMNT debut on September 10 against Uruguay, while Reggie Cannon last saw playing time against Cuba on November 19. But for Jesus Ferreira, it’s an opportunity to prove himself before heading into the next round of qualifying.
For Jesus Ferreira, his experience with the National Team will play a big part in an important decision he makes down the road in choosing the U.S. or Colombia.
“I just want to go in there and enjoy it. I want to go in there and see how it is. I still have to make a decision at the end of the day, but this is a good first step. They’re showing signs to me that they really want me to be a part of the team.” Ferreira adds, “[The USMNT] is above Colombia right now. And with all the little steps they’ve been taking, that will go towards my decision.”
So what does Paxton think about having playing alongside two of his FC Dallas teammates? “It’s awesome. Jesús [Ferreira] and Reggie [Cannon] both had unbelievable seasons. So I’m happy to see them being rewarded.” He added that while he’s proud of both of his teammates, he’s especially happy for Ferreira. “He’s waited a long time for his citizenship. It’s really cool that he’s been in the U.S. this long now and he can finally be eligible to play and the senior team is recognizing that.”
The players will leave for Qatar this week at the start of an important year for the U.S. Men’s National Team. They will play closed-door scrimmages from January 5-25 in Doha, Qatar, before returning to Los Angeles to face Costa Rica on Feburary 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
