It’s taken the better part of four years, but the US national team may finally be ready to welcome Superman.
Minnesota United’s talismanic striker Christian Ramirez will be named to the USMNT’s January camp roster, according to a report from Minnesota-based outlet FiftyFive.One. Interim coach Dave Sarachan is expected to release his squad list on Monday.
If correct, the call-up will mark the first international opportunity for the Garden Grove, California native, who led all US-eligible players in MLS with 14 goals from open play during the regular season. (CJ Sapong and Jozy Altidore posted higher totals, but netted three goals apiece from penalty kicks.)
It would also mark the latest chapter in Ramirez’s rags-to-riches story from obscurity to professional success. Dubbed “Superman” by adoring Minnesota United supporters as he and teammate Miguel “Batman” Ibarra racked up goals and assists for the Loons during the club’s NASL days, the forward was scouted by former USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann during his NASL golden boot-winning 2014 campaign.
But it was Ibarra who got the call-up instead, with Ramirez, now 26, still in search of his first international cap despite remaining one of the highest-scoring American strikers in the world over the past four years with with season totals of 20, 13, 18 and 14 goals across NASL and MLS.
Despite MNUFC enduring a challenging debut campaign in MLS, Ramirez bagged 14 finishes – three of them game-winners and his opener the first MLS goal in club history – and three assists in 30 appearances for the Loons in 2017.
