Benjamin Cremaschi, a pioneer alongside Messi
The midfielder, who has dual Argentine and American nationality, made his debut with the USMNT. He is the first player to pass through all the phases of US soccer up to the national team.
Benjamin Cremaschi’s career took a new step this week. The player, born in Miami to Argentine parents, fulfilled a dream this Tuesday by debuting with the United States senior team. Wearing the No.15 shirt, the 18-year-old came on as a second half substitute in the 4-0 victory against Oman, a friendly played at Allianz Field in Minnesota.
The teenager entered the field in the 71st minute to replace Malik Tillman and form part of a midfield axis alongside Musah and McKennie. The USMNT were leading 2-0 and with Cremaschi on the field, the team increased their domination and added a couple of late goals to round of a perfect night.
Cremaschi became the sixth Inter Miami player involved in this month’s international fixtures, following Lionel Messi with Argentina, Sergiy Kryvtsov (Ukraine), Josef Martínez (Venezuela), Diego Gómez (Paraguay) and Robert Taylor (Finland).
All returned from their respective national teams without injury and should be available for Saturday’s clash against Atlanta.
Cremaschi’s unique path to the USMNT
Benja Cremaschi made his senior debut with the United States team albeit in unofficial competition. The Inter Miami player becomes the first player to have passed through each of the formative and professional phases of American soccer before reaching the senior side.
He started out in MLS NEXT, the training category in the first stage of the players, then MLS NEXT PRO, the next step before reaching professional football in MLS, the highest category professional soccer in the US. He has been called up by both the United States and Argentina at Under-20 level but didn’t get to play. Now that he has made his his first appearance for the USMNT, he will be technically ineligible to play for Argentina.