US men’s national team starts their youngest starting XI in modern era

With an average age of 22 years and 71 days, the US men’s national team fielded their youngest starting XI in the modern era.

The lineup featured six MLSers: Tyler Adams (19), Reggie Cannon (20), Kellyn Acosta (23), Marky Delgado (23), Walker Zimmerman (25) and Aaron Long (26). Christian Pulisic (20) captained the side, becoming the country’s youngest player to wear the armband. 

Average age: 22 years and 71 days.

Today’s #USMNT XI vs. 🇮🇹 is the youngest in the modern era. » https://t.co/WJRcCaI8R4 pic.twitter.com/bq3gyI3raZ

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) November 20, 2018

The US played out a hard-fought, last-gasp 1-0 loss to Italy on Tuesday. But with the youth movement in full effect, and a new coach likely to be hired soon, the USMNT closed out 2018 with a little bit of hope.