Barcelona Recall Diego Kochen from U.S. U20 World Cup Squad

Barcelona have recalled 19-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen from the U.S. U20 World Cup squad after Joan García suffered a meniscus injury. Kochen, initially set to be USA’s No.1 in Chile, will now serve as Barcelona’s backup to Wojciech Szczęsny. Gavin Beavers replaces him, with Duran Ferree and Adam Beaudry as other U.S. goalkeepers.

As the FIFA Under 20 World Cup begins in Chile, the United States have been dealt a setback with the withdrawal of goalkeeper Diego Kochen. The 19 year old, who was expected to be the No. 1 for the U.S. side, has been recalled by Barcelona following an injury to Joan García, who damaged his meniscus in a recent win against Real Oviedo and will be out for six weeks.

With Marc André ter Stegen already sidelined, Barcelona needed cover behind Wojciech Szczęsny, leading to Kochen’s immediate return. Kochen, born in Miami, joined Barcelona in 2019 and has risen through the club’s academy. This season, he has alternated between the first team and reserves, serving as Barça’s third choice goalkeeper. Although he has not yet played a competitive match for the first team, he featured in a friendly earlier this year and signed a contract extension until 2028.

For the U.S. squad, Gavin Beavers has been named as Kochen’s replacement, joining fellow keepers Duran Ferree and Adam Beaudry. U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been impressed with Kochen, even calling him into senior training camps, and the young stopper has expressed readiness to represent the national side at any level in the future.