Tag: Noel Buck

Buck: Lining up with players like Mainoo is why I picked England

Buck and Mainoo started together with England’s U-19s last fall

Noel Buck has said the chance to play alongside the likes of Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is why he’s committed his international future to England.

The New England Revolution midfielder has been involved with the U.S. at the youth level, but accepted a call-up from England’s U-19 side last fall and has made eight appearances for the Young Lions.

Buck is now provisionally cap-tied to England, meaning he would now need to file a one-time change of association to play for another country.

In an interview with The Athletic, Buck said that England made a strong push for him and that he’s happy with where he is for the time being.

“I’m in a good spot with England now, we’ll see what the future holds,” he said.

Buck was born and raised in the U.S. but is eligible for England and Wales through his father. The 19-year-old said that the quality of players at England’s disposal is one of the main reasons he’s cast his lot with the Three Lions for now.

“Each time I go with England, I learn a couple of new things, meet new people and get better experiences,” Buck said. “They’re all fantastic players — especially Kobbie. The fact he’s playing right now for England (seniors) is unreal to think about.

“It’s why I wanted to play for England: you get to play with these types of players and I’ll include (Leeds United’s) Archie Gray in that, fantastic player, and Jack Hinshelwood at Brighton. Quality.

“What Kobbie’s success does is also highlight the pathway and how quickly things can change.”

Mainoo, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Manchester United that has seen him go from starting alongside Buck with England’s U-19s to making his senior debut last month.

Buck isn’t shy about his desire to one day play in the same league as Mainoo, but added that his focus for now is on the Revs.

“I’ve always wanted to go and play in England,” Buck said. “That’s always been a dream — whether it’s in the Premier League or the Championship — but at the moment I’m focused on my football here.”

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Buck unloads on U.S. Soccer after accepting England call-up

“They haven’t really given me the time of day,” Buck said of U.S. Soccer

Noel Buck is not happy with U.S. Soccer, and he’s not afraid to say it.

One day after he accepted a call-up to England’s U-19 squad, the New England Revolution midfielder charged that the American federation hadn’t “given me the time of day.”

Buck is in the midst of a breakout campaign with the Revs, making his international future a pertinent talking point. The 18-year-old was born and raised in the U.S. but is eligible for England and Wales through his father.

Though the midfielder did get a call-up from the U.S. U-19 side in July, he’s been bypassed by the U-20s on multiple occasions, including the World Cup earlier this year.

Buck sent a message prior to Saturday’s game against Austin FC, showing up at Gillette Stadium in a retro England kit. He had plenty more to say after the game, as well.

Asked by the Blazing Musket if he should have gotten more chances with the U.S. at this point, Buck didn’t hold back.

“I feel like they haven’t really given me the time of day to be completely honest,” he said. “And when I get called to an England camp, you know, it’s an honor for me.

“Wearing this [England] shirt isn’t a symbol of like, screw the U.S. because it’s not. They just haven’t given me the time of day and I want to have a good time and really learn something there.”

Earlier in the week, USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter spoke highly of Buck after naming his roster for September friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.

“He’s been great. He’s been really strong,” said Berhalter. “I have spoken to him. There has been interest from England, which I think is great. Great achievement, when you have a country like England looking at you.

“I’ve communicated with him, told him that we see him as a player that can compete to make the World Cup team in 2026, based on what he’s doing now.”

Buck acknowledged the conversation with Berhalter, but didn’t feel that communication was sufficient.

“I think besides just talking a bit with Gregg, the U.S. haven’t really talked to me a whole lot,” he said. “You know, there’s been some talks about U-19s a year ago, but other than that, not a whole lot. England have really shown some interest and I’m glad to take it.”

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U.S. youth international Buck called into England U-19 squad

The 18-year-old is eligible for the USMNT, England and Wales

The battle is officially on for Noel Buck.

The New England Revolution midfielder has accepted a call-up to England’s U-19 side for upcoming friendlies against Germany and Switzerland.

Buck, 18, has been one of the breakout stars of the MLS season, becoming a regular for New England while showing his versatility by playing a variety of midfield positions.

Though born and raised in the U.S., Buck has a UK passport through his father and is therefore eligible for England and Wales.

Buck was called into camp with the U.S. U-19 side in July but was left off the U-20 World Cup roster in May.

After his World Cup snub, Buck said: “It would have been really cool [to make the roster] but I’m happy where I am. If I was going to go and not play, what’s the point really? I’m playing now and I’m getting better and getting a lot of experience here. I’m on a roll, why would I stop?”

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter spoke highly of Buck this week after naming his roster for September friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.

“He’s been great. He’s been really strong,” said Berhalter. “I have spoken to him. There has been interest from England, which I think is great. Great achievement, when you have a country like England looking at you.

“I’ve communicated with him, told him that we see him as a player that can compete to make the World Cup team in 2026, based on what he’s doing now. We see — if he continues to develop at that rate — I’m sure he can be competitive and compete to be on the roster.”

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Berhalter tips Buck for big USMNT future amid England interest

Berhalter: “We see him as a player that can compete to make the World Cup team”

Like any great recruiter, the U.S. men’s national team is always on the job.

Noel Buck, the 18-year-old New England Revolution midfielder, was not called up for the USMNT squad set to face Uzbekistan and Oman in September, but the dual national is still very much on head coach Gregg Berhalter’s radar.

Shortly after revealing his first roster since returning to the USMNT job, Berhalter told reporters that he’s been in touch with Buck, who is eligible for the U.S., England, and Wales.

“He’s been great. He’s been really strong,” said Berhalter of the young midfielder. “I have spoken to him. There has been interest from England, which I think is great. Great achievement, when you have a country like England looking at you.

“I’ve communicated with him, told him that we see him as a player that can compete to make the World Cup team in 2026, based on what he’s doing now. We see — if he continues to develop at that rate — I’m sure he can be competitive and compete to be on the roster.”

Buck has previously played for the United States at the Under-19 level, while he has not been called in for any England or Wales youth national team at this point.

U.S. Soccer, based on a recent run of successful recruiting, may feel confident about persuading Buck to stick with the program. Folarin Balogun, Yunus Musah, and Ricardo Pepi are just some of the USMNT regulars who could have chosen another national team, and all have seemed to benefit from going with the U.S. over other options.

Buck having a breakout 2023

Buck has 22 appearances across all competitions for New England, who trail only FC Cincinnati and St. Louis City SC in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.

That number would likely be higher had Buck not missed much of June with an injury. Buck returned to the field for the Revolution in the Leagues Cup, starting all four of New England’s matches in that tournament before going 62 minutes in a 1-0 loss to CF Montréal on Sunday.

Buck has largely played centrally for New England, but with Bruce Arena (who has been on administrative leave for a month) and interim coach Richie Williams toggling between several formations, the youngster has shown some versatility. Buck has been used as a shuttler on the right side of a diamond midfield, as a No. 6, and as a box-to-box option in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Buck has scored two goals and tacked on an assist in 2023, marking himself out as an essential part of the mix at Gillette Stadium regardless of the formation on the day.

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The top young USMNT players and prospects in 2023

The stars of today and tomorrow are ready to lead the USMNT to a bright future

The U.S. men’s national team should have a bright future ahead.

With one of the youngest teams at the World Cup, the USMNT got out of its group and qualified for the last 16 in Qatar — a substantial achievement after missing the 2018 tournament entirely.

Now the focus shifts to the main event: the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Several of the 2022 roster’s best young players should be back and right in their prime in 2026, and they should be joined by a host of younger players just starting to make their way in the game now.

Below are some of the USMNT’s best young players. For the purposes of this list, the player must be born in 2003 or later.