Former RSL Academy & First Team Player Brooks Lennon To Debut For USMNT

Dec 17, 2021, 4:18 PM

Brooks Lennon #11 of Atlanta United passes the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the second half at Lumen Field on May 23, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

BY TOM HACKETT

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Former RSL Academy & Real Salt Lake player Brooks Lennon is set to debut for the U.S. Men’s National Team when they play Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly on Saturday, December 18 in Carson, California.

Gregg Berhalter confirms that Brooks Lennon will start at right back for the #USMNT vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Berhalter pointed to Lennon as someone who has impressed in camp.

Berhalter also revealed the USMNT will start January camp on January 6 ahead of January qualifiers

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) December 17, 2021

Lennon grew up playing with the RSL Academy in Arizona after growing up in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Then, at just 18-years of age, he was signed by English giants Liverpool. However, Lennon was unable to break into the first team and only appeared in the youth system for the Reds. He was purchased back by Real Salt Lake where he played in 61 games between 2018 to 2019 for the first team and the club’s second team the Real Monarchs.

Following the 2019 season, Atlanta United acquired Lennon for $150,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.

Since joining Atlanta, his career has thrived. In 2021, Lennon appeared in 32 from a possible 34 games, 30 in which he started. After beginning his career as a winger, Lennon has solidified himself as one of the league’s top right-backs and in 2021 he completed 70 key passes, good enough for tied seventh in all of Major League Soccer.

Lennon has impressed in camp, according to USMNT Manager Gregg Berhalter despite it being only the second time Lennon has been called into a first-team camp.

The fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina is being labeled as a “bridge” match to ensure the United States players stay active throughout the holiday season.

Beginning in January, the US will look to solidify a place in next year’s 2023 Fifa World Cup as fixtures against El Salvador, Canada, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica looms.