Ben Sweat needed assistance to walk from the locker room to the team bus after a road loss to Minnesota United last Saturday – he had been forced out of the match in the 83rd minute with back spasms.
New York City FC had a subsequent three-week sabbatical courtesy of the MLS scheduling wizards so the timing appeared good for the club’s full-time left back – an extended break to recover and be fit for City’s next match Oct. 21 at D.C. United.
However, Sweat was on the preliminary roster for the United States men’s national team with an international break scheduled from Oct. 8-16.
His first call-up to the USMNT was in jeopardy.
“After the game on Saturday, I was worried,” Sweat told Pro Soccer USA. “The national team doctor was checking in on me. It was back and forth between them calling all of our staff members and my agent.”
With the multiple communiques between club and country, Sweat absorbed the hints that if deemed fit, the chance to don the USMNT kit was promising.
“Our staff was checking in on Kev (athletic trainer Kevin Christen) to make sure I was good to go if I did get called in,” Sweat said. “So, it was a bunch of little ways I found out. I eventually got the confirmation email and was just super excited – I was really emotional.”
Interim head coach Dave Sarachan selected a group of 24 players for the camp, which will commence Sunday in Tampa, Fla. – about 20 miles southeast of Sweat’s hometown, Palm Harbor.
“It’s pretty funny. All the places that the national team travels, they play these friendlies in Europe or anywhere in the states — my first camp happens to be in Tampa,” Sweat said. “It will be a special occasion, for sure.”
Sweat is a Florida guy. Although he also excelled at baseball, the 6-foot-2 defender chose a soccer path while competing for the Chargers Soccer Club in Tampa Bay before attending the University of South Florida.
Turning 27 on Sept. 4, Sweat has gained his opportunity at a later stage than most, but the former Tampa Bay Rowdies defender does not judge his late entry as a barrier.
“I’ll fortunately be around for one World Cup in my career,” Sweat said. “If I continue to do well not only with New York but get called back into the national team, it could open up a lot of doors for me. It’s going to be great to represent my country and show people who don’t know me what I have to offer as a left back.”
Sweat is a natural left-footer and is one of two left backs in camp. The revolving door of fullbacks on the port side for the U.S. men is propitious for the player who went from NYCFC trialist to a regular in the starting XI the last two seasons.
“That’s a position they’ve been looking for, for quite some time now,” said Sweat who has compiled seven assists in 53 career MLS games. “So I’m hoping to go in there and fulfill their needs and we’ll see what happens at the end of the camp.”
The next USMNT gathering will have a new leader on board. U.S. Soccer is expected to name a permanent replacement for Bruce Arena in November – Sarachan has been the caretaker for nearly a year.
In essence, Sweat will be performing for a manager who has yet to be named.
“It’s different,” Sweat said. “But I think everyone is connected. Regardless who the head coach is next year, if I go in and do well the word will spread and whoever comes in will be aware of me. They’re not just going to roll over all the coaching staff there. I have to go in there and I have to impress every single one of them and earn the respect of each and every coach at this camp.”
The USMNT has friendlies scheduled against Colombia on Oct. 11 and Peru on Oct. 16.
Against Peru, Sweat has the potential to meet up with City teammate Alexander Callens – a pair of backs who enjoy their forays into the attacking end for NYCFC.
“Maybe I’ll tackle him or something,” Sweat said. “A little friendly tackle.”
Meanwhile, Sweat’s family and friends anticipate his senior team debut in the opener. The Colombia match will be hosted by Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where Sweat’s alma mater plays their football games.
“I’m hoping as well,” Sweat said. “It would be an extra cherry on top if I got it (first cap) in Tampa in front of the home crowd – we’ll see.”