The U.S. men’s national team is two months away from hosting the 2024 Copa America and although his main focus will be on that tournament, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is hoping it serves as preparation for a larger goal in 2026.
Horvath is part of the USMNT’s goalkeeping pool that will be eager to not only be part of the Copa America, but also the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. The veteran shot-stopper has been part of the plans over the last few years, watching as the Americans won three-straight CONCACAF Nations League titles, as well as reach the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In what will be his eight-year anniversary since earning his first USMNT call up at the 2016 Copa America, Horvath is excited for what’s to come on the international level.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Horvath said in a club interview at Cardiff City. “It’s going to be a very busy summer. First, we’ve got two friendlies before the tournament and it’s going to be a busy tournament. If I get called-up, I’ll be really excited for it. My first call-up was in 2016 and it was the 50th anniversary of the Copa America. To hopefully go back to that will be really nice. We’re building something special there, so hopefully, we can do well there.
“Hosting the tournament is massive for us,” he added. “I wouldn’t say there is pressure on us, but we want to put on a good show and go far in the tournament. Come 2026, in the World Cup, we want to do the same thing.”
Horvath, 28, has rebounded nicely from a frustrating ending to his spell at English Premier League club Nottingham Forest. The American goalkeeper earned a permanent move to Cardiff City of the EFL Championship last January and since has made 13 appearances for the Bluebirds.
Despite Cardiff City falling short of the promotion playoffs, Horvath still has three final matches on his club schedule this spring, starting with Saturday’s contest against Southampton. Horvath is focused on concluding his early days in Wales on a high note, especially with international opportunities on the horizon this summer.
“It’s just down to us,” Horvath said. “We have two home games coming up with one away game. These next two home games, they’re two tough games, but we want to go out on a good note for ourselves and for the fans especially.
“For Cardiff City, you want to show the Club and the fans that you’re still committed and still focused until the end,” he added. “It’s three games left and we want to finish on as high of a note as possible.”
Cardiff City faces Southampton on Saturday before final matches against Middlesbrough and Rotherham United to close out its schedule.
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