PORTLAND, Ore. --- Former Portland men's soccer standout and current Orlando City SC forward Benji Michel is one of 26 players called in to the U-23 U.S Men's National Team January Camp, it was announced earlier this week. The U-23's will train alongside the full U.S. National Team at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla, until Jan. 24.
 
At the end of the camp, several U-23 players will be elevated to the full USMNT roster in advance of a planned match at the end of the month.
 
The U-23s are gathering as a group for the first time since the suspension of the CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship 10 months ago and will use this last opportunity for head coach Jason Kreis to build and evaluate the roster ahead of the resumption of the qualifying tournament in March.
 
"With Olympic qualifying approaching quickly, this training camp is a great opportunity to prepare ourselves and evaluate some new faces," Kreis said. "While 2020 was a very challenging year, it was impressive to see so many U-23-eligible players make major strides on the field. Some of them have been involved with the senior team over the last few months and it's exciting to now get our players and staff back together in camp alongside Gregg and his group as we prepare for a very important qualifying tournament."
 
Michel has spent the past two years with Orlando City after signing a homegrown contract with the club in December of 2018. He's made 38 overall appearances for the Lions, starting 17 matches, and he's collected 10 career goals and three career assists.
 
An All-American during his junior campaign with the Pilots, Michel ended his collegiate career with 31 goals in three years, eight assists, 70 points, and 12 game-winners. He ranks third all-time in Portland program history in game-winners, and he's 12th in career goals.
 
Michel was named First-Team All-WCC and he earned all-region honors all three seasons, and he was recognized as the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2016.