Brian White ready to cap “long road” with impactful USMNT debut

The U.S. men’s national team’s showdown with Slovenia on Saturday will provide plenty of first-time opportunities and veteran forward Brian White is one of those players eager to make an impact.

White, 27, is one of 17 players seeking their first USMNT caps on Saturday in San Antonio, as Gregg Berhalter’s squad aim for a winning start to their 2024 schedule. With the January fixture falling outside of a FIFA international break, White and many other MLS-based players have received the call to represent their country.

The seven-year MLS veteran is coming off his best season yet as a pro player and is focused on transferring that success to the USMNT level.

“Yeah, it’s been a long road I think to get to this point,” White told reporters during a conference call on Thursday. “Growing up you’re always dreaming of playing for your national team at any level. Throughout my youth you I was on the outside looking in at all the youth camps, recently watching people get called up into full national team camps. Just waiting for one opportunity to be able to show what I can do what I how I can play.

“I’m looking forward to getting out on the field and representing the country in a game against Slovenia and hopefully scoring a goal,” he added.

White came through the ranks of the New York Red Bulls academy before making his MLS debut in 2018. After 45 league appearances over three seasons in Harrison, White was traded to the Whitecaps ahead of the 2021 campaign and has remained there ever since.

Twice has White recorded double-digit goals in a season with Vancouver, including a career-best 16 tallies in 34 league appearances in 2023. A physical striker at 5-feet-11, 185 lbs., White is willing to do anything he can to make an impact on the international stage.

“I like to create a lot of problems for defenders, whether it’s being physical or making runs and behind, pressing well when they’re on the ball and just trying to make their lives as difficult as possible,” White said. “Then offensively, just getting in the box and finally, stepping out to the front of goal and have my opportunities.

“Fortunately, I’ve had good teammates and good staff that put me in positions to perform well and get called up to national team,” he added.

Similar to White, the other four forwards called into January’s camp are also seeking their senior USMNT debuts. Duncan McGuire is likely to challenge White for the starting role atop Berhalter’s formation while Bernard Kamungo, Diego Luna, and Esmir Bajraktarevic are likely to see time out wide.

With places at a premium in the USMNT squad going forward, White knows the long-term importance of January’s match for what’s to come later this year.

“I think you have a lot of young hungry players that want to prove themselves in camp,” White said. “So, the intensity has ramped up. There’s a little bit more fighting in the sessions.

“I think just because there’s a lot more to prove when you come into the national team, and I think it’s really helped raise that level,” he added.