Fulham midfielder Luca de la Torre has won his first senior international call-up by being named in a youthful United States squad for their summer international friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and France last month.
American coach Dave Sarachan promised to introduce new names into his squad for over the course of the summer and 20 year-old de la Torre, a player highly rated for a long time at Motspur Park, is one of the major beneficiaries. The San Diego-born attacking midfielder, who starred as the American Under 20 side won their first ever CONCACAF Championship last February, impressed Slavisa Jokanovic when he trained with Fulham’s senior squad during the 2016 pre-season and made three appearances in the EFL Cup, starting with his debut against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road in August.
The classy American playmaker made five senior appearances this season, being introduced as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers, Derby, Brentford, Sunderland and Burton Albion. De la Torre, who has won seven caps for the US under-20 side, could make his international debut against Martin O’Neill’s Ireland in Dublin on Saturday or when the States take on France in Lyon on June 9.