The USMNT is looking to show what they are capable of at the FIFA World Cup, a sporting event held every four years that never fails to bring excitement and unity to soccer fans across the globe. From Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, 32 nations, this time including the Yanks (who were not able to qualify in 2018), will be competing in the international tournament set in Qatar.

U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter announced the 26-man roster for the World Cup on Wednesday, Nov. 9. It is the second-youngest team in the competition, only behind Ghana.

Among some of the big names listed were Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin, who is the only player on the squad that has previous World Cup experience.

Two of the picks that Berhalter made are especially noteworthy: forward Josh Sargent and defender Tim Ream. Both players are from the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, with Sargent specifically hailing from O’Fallon, Mo.

Sargent is one of the youngest athletes of the bunch, being among the four 22-year-olds on the roster. Ream, on the other hand, is the oldest player on the entire team at 35 years of age.

“I still can’t believe I get to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in a World Cup,” Sargent expressed in an Instagram post. “I’m so grateful and honored to have this opportunity. Let’s go!!!”

Sargent went to primary school and played soccer at Assumption. The pair of St. Louis hometowners also played with local academy club Scott Gallagher.

Ream and Sargent both attended and graduated from St. Dominic High School in 2006 and 2018, respectively. Sargent only spent part of his high school years there, however, as he would later move to Bradenton, Fla. to join the U.S. Youth National Team residency program. Ream went on to play soccer with the SLU Billikens, making 82 appearances and earning NSCAA first-team All-Region and second-team All-Conference honors.

Senior and varsity soccer player Max Douglas recalls meeting Sargent while in middle school.

“He was very nice and easy to talk to,” Douglas described. “He didn’t think of himself as a celebrity; he just acted like a normal dude talking to middle schoolers.”

“Josh is the only player from St. Dominic who signed a professional contract before his senior year,” commented St. Dominic soccer head coach Greg Koeller. “He also signed with Nike shortly after being awarded the Silver Boot as second top scorer in the U20 World Cup.”

Presently, Ream is a center-back for English Premier League side Fulham; Sargent plays as a forward or winger for Norwich City in the EFL Championship, just a tier below the Premier League. The latter has scored nine goals for his club in only this season, leading his team in this statistic and having the most of anybody in the league.

The Stars and Stripes battled against Wales in Group B for their opening match of the World Cup on Monday, Nov. 21. Sargent contributed to the fluid play that eventually led to Tim Weah’s goal in the 36th minute with a chest ball to later assistant Pulisic. It can also be noted that Ream had a strong performance in the match, making quality tackles and defending effectively. The game ended as a 1-1 draw.

Koeller stated, “It is not surprising to see [Josh] in top form performing with the U.S. World Cup team in Qatar.”

The next fixture for the USMNT will be versus England, who mightily triumphed in their match against Iran by a score of 6-2. As with their first game, it is expected that Sargent and Ream will make the starting lineup facing the Three Lions on Friday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. Central time.