South Florida natives Cremaschi, Morris invited to U.S. Olympic team camp in June
Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin “Benja” Cremaschi, a 19-year-old Key Biscayne native, was invited to U.S. Olympic team June training camp in Kansas City, Kansas, as the team prepares for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Cremaschi, the youngest player called into camp by U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic, missed the first seven games of the Inter Miami season following sports hernia surgery. Since his return he has played in eight games and scored two goals. The Argentine American appeared in all four Men’s Olympic Team matches last fall, scoring the lone USA goal in a 1-1 tie with Iraq.
“Last year Benja made big, big steps with Inter Miami and he grew through our youth system, and he got the opportunity to play for MNT (men’s senior national team),” Mitrovic said. “He had a small setback at the beginning of this year with his injury, but we are happy he’s back and we could see his impact right away on the field. Benja is important for our roster, important for our team, and he is the youngest player on our roster, so we believe he has a bright future with our MNT one day.”
Fort Lauderdale native Aidan Morris, a 22-year-old Columbus Crew midfielder, also made the Olympic camp roster. Both Cremaschi and Morris played youth soccer at Weston FC.
“Aidan is improving game after game, is in his third or fourth season in MLS with a strong impact playing for Columbus, the champions and now they have Champions Cup final,” Mitrovic said. “Aiden is not just part of the starting lineup, he has had a strong impact game after game and similar to Benja a very important player for our team.”
The Men’s Olympic Soccer Tournament 18-player roster is restricted to players under the age of 23, with an allowance for three overage players. Mitrovic selected one overage player, Walker Zimmerman of Nashville SC, nine players born in 2001, four born in 2002, five born in 2003, four born in 2004 and two born in 2005- Cremaschi and forward Esmir Bajraktarevic, who are also eligible for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Team USA will play a tune-up match against Japan on June 11 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
This summer marks the return of the U.S. men’s team to the Olympics for the first time since 2008. The soccer Olympics tournament runs from July 24 to Aug. 10.
Cremaschi joins the list of Inter Miami players who will miss MLS games while playing for their national teams this summer.
Lionel Messi will play for Argentina in the Copa America. Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Matias Rojas (Paraguay), and Leo Campana (Ecuador) could be called up for the Copa America, as well. Diego Gomez (Paraguay) and Fede Redondo (Argentina) are eligible for call-ups to the Olympics.
U.S. MEN’S OLYMPIC SOCCER TEAM TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
▪ Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; St. Charles, Missouri), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; Addison, Illinois)
▪ Defenders (7): Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; Oldsmar, Florida), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; Lakewood, California), Bryan Reynolds (KVC Westerlo/BEL; Fort Worth, Texas), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, New Jersey), Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City/ENG; Plano, Texas), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; Lawrenceville, Georgia)
▪ Midfielders (7): Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids; Littleton, Colorado), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; Greensboro, N.orth Carolina), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; Key Biscayne), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; Queens, New York), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; Fort Lauderdale), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split/CRO; Stillwater, Oklahoma), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia/ITA; Birmingham, Alabama)
▪ Forwards (9): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Medford, New Jersey), Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution; Appleton, Wisconsin), Taylor Booth (Utrecht/NED; Eden, Utah), Cade Cowell (Guadalajara/MEX; Ceres, California), Damion Downs (Köln/GER; Schwebenried, Germany), Johan Gomez (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER; Keller, Texas), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC; Omaha, Nebraska), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; South Riding, Virginia), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo/BEL; Clifton, Virginia)
This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 11:58 AM.