2024 USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team

The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has announced nine athletes selected for the 2024 USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team. The team was chosen following a February selection camp held in Chula Vista, Calif. The roster features seven athletes with visual impairments along with two sighted goalkeepers.

The sport of blind soccer has been part of the Paralympic Games since 2004, but the U.S. has never fielded a team. That will all change in 2028 when Los Angeles plays host to the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the U.S. will receive an automatic entry into the blind soccer competition as the host country. The first USA Blind Soccer National Team was named in November 2022 and competed in two international friendlies against Canada in March 2023, winning by scores of 1-0 and 3-0.

“As we get closer to USA Blind Soccer’s historic debut at the LA28 Paralympic Games, the level of preparation for our national team is ramping up,” said USABA Director of Sport Performance Amanda Duke Boulet. “These nine athletes selected for the 2024 team represent the drive and determination necessary to compete internationally.”

The seven athletes with visual impairments named to the team are Noah Beckman (Columbus, Ohio), Ricardo Castaneda (Fort Worth, Texas), Charles Catherine (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Oseas De Leon (Miami, Fla.), Cody Kirchner (Ruston, La.), Ethan Kunes (Joppatowne, Md.) and Alvaro Mora Arellano (Phoenix, Ariz.). The two sighted goalkeepers selected are Brandt Herron (Palm Coast, Fla.) and Kyle Knott (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Only De Leon and Kunes were not part of the inaugural USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team in 2022.

“We are so excited to be naming the 2024 National Team,” said USA Blind Soccer Head Coach Katie Smith. “This team is filled with passionate athletes who are willing to represent their country on and off the pitch and who will help us achieve international ranking as we continue on our journey to the LA28 Paralympic Games.”