Centreville, Virginia – Two young soccer players, Kevin Paredes and Griffin Yow, hailing from Northern Virginia, are set to compete together at the Paris Olympics this summer. The pair, who started their careers at D.C. United before moving to European clubs, were selected to the U.S. men’s squad for the 16-nation tournament, marking the first time the team has participated in the Summer Games since 2008.

Both Paredes and Yow have been part of the youth national team setup for some time, but securing their release from their respective clubs in Europe posed a challenge. Paredes needed permission from Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga, while Yow required approval from Belgian club Westerlo to join the U.S. squad for the Olympics.

Despite facing some hurdles in securing players’ releases from clubs, U.S. Coach Marko Mitrovic expressed confidence in the final roster and believes that the selected team can represent the country effectively at the upcoming tournament in Paris. The U.S. team will begin their training camp in Bordeaux, France this week before kicking off their group stage matches starting on July 24.

Since the age restriction was implemented in 1992, the U.S. men’s team has only advanced out of group play once, in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This year’s squad comprises a mix of European-based players and those from MLS teams, including three over-age selections – Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, and Djordje Mihailovic.

The roster also includes 19-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, the youngest selection, who has been developing his skills on Inter Miami’s first team under the mentorship of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. The team is completed by a blend of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, all ready to represent the U.S. on the international stage.

As the players gear up for the Paris Olympics, the nation awaits to see how these talented individuals will fare on the global soccer stage, hoping to make a mark and bring home glory for the United States.