New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin made his United States Men's National Team debut on Saturday, January 28 vs. Colombia.
His defending partner, Andrés Reyes, was on the roster for Colombia, but did not see game action. Both players were making their first appearance.
"First of all, I love him around the place. I love him in camp. He's just got such a big personality. And then you see his personality on the field – he's incredibly brave," USMNT Head Coach said of Tolkin. "He's an aggressive player, He's a physical player. I don't think this situation fazed him at all; he embraced it. He's a very confident kid. So he's one that we're glad we've seen, because he's impressed us before when he's been in our pre-World Cup camp."
Tolkin, a Red Bulls Academy product from Chatham, New Jersey, started and played 81 minutes in the scoreless draw at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
"He offered a very concentrated and reliable performance," Head Coach Gerhard Struber said. "I could feel how proud he is wearing this jersey. With further good performances at the club, he will have a good chance to leave his mark on the USA in the future."
Tolkin, 20, has already racked up 59 career regular season appearances in MLS.
Tolkin had seen time at the national youth level, playing eight times for the U.S. Under-17 National Team between 2018 and 2019. Tolkin was a guest player at the USMNT’s fitness camp prior to the selection of the 2022 FIFA World Cup roster last October in Frisco, Texas.
Tolkin is age-eligible for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
