Diego Kochen, the goalkeeper of Barcelona with Peruvian roots, was called by the United States for decisive duels in the League of Nations Concacaf

The universe of Peruvian players abroad is not only limited to those who participate in the team led by Jorge Fossati, but also to others scattered in different parts of the planet and who are looking for a chance to break into football. One of those who have been on the radar ‘bicolor’ Yes Diego cookingarcher Barcelona of Spain and was called for the second consecutive time to the United States National Teamthis time with the GP Mauricio Pochettinofor the quarter-finals of the Concacaf League of Nations ante Jamaica.

Through its social networks, the United States Soccer Federation announced the list of 25 soccer players called by the Argentine coach for the decisive duels in the division. The name of the 18-year-old goalkeeper (with a Peruvian mother and a Venezuelan father but born in the North American region), who has to compete with Matt Turner, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte.

“Our Nations League quarter-final team“, the institution wrote on its digital platforms.

Under that concept, the list was called United States by presence Diego cooking It was as follows:

Archers: Diego Kochen (Barcelona), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids) and Matt Turner (Crystal Palace).

Protection: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Auston Trusty (Celtic).

Midfield: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Gianluca Busio (Venezia FC), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique de Lyon) and Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven).

Onward: Cade Cowell (Chivas de Guadalajara), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Brandon Vázquez (Monterrey), Tim Weah (Juventus) and Alejandro Zendejas (Club América).

As mentioned above, Diego cooking is a goalkeeper born in Miami, United States, on March 19, 2006, the result of the love professed by his Peruvian mother and Venezuelan father. He defended Weston FC from the US Soccer Development Academy, before moving to Spain, where he landed at Fundación Marcet.

His good performance made him jump to Barcelonawho introduced him to the Juvenil A team in the middle of 2019 in the Catalan team, he was able to climb gradually in each category until he was promoted to the main team in 2023. In fact, at the moment he has to exchange calls with Barcelona Atletic (B team) as well as the first team.

Kochen was able to have his first ride with the ‘Blaugranas’ managed by Xavi Hernández in a December 2023 friendly against Club América de México. But he has also been on the lists for LaLiga and the Champions League.

Diego Kochen during Barcelona’s warm-up for LaLiga. – credit: Getty Images.}

Because of his presence in Barcelonathe Peruvian team He has had it for those under 20, however, the goalkeeper has prioritized the United States, which he defended in the minors.

Jose Guillermo Del Solarhead of the FPF Minor Technical Unit and coach of Peru under 20, he admitted in May 2024 that he wanted to communicate with the goalkeeper, but that there is no interest on his part.

“We talked to both of them, with Mateo and Kochen’s family, our interest is there but not theirsthat’s what I’m saying seriously. That’s what happened,” he told the media initially.

In the same way, ‘Chemo’ He is waiting for the chance that he might change his mind soon. “Last year we spoke to them, with Mateo’s father and Diego’s mother, they are both Peruvians, we showed interest in them coming to play with us. They can play in this Under 20, they are of the age and the truth is that they were not interested at this time. It is not closed, I hope that situation will change later, because they are two boys with many situations” he said.

The fact that Diego cooking have defended the small teams United States forcing him to make the ‘One Time Switch’ for production Peru. In addition, he had to play two official games with the ‘Yankees’ to be sick for the ‘white-red’.