Luis Gil and Boyd Okwuonu play drastically different roles with the U.S. National Teams that they’ve suited up for throughout the years. First together at the U-14 level back in 2006 and progressively through the ranks at all the different youth levels, Gil has been in the spotlight as a focal point of the midfield while Okwuonu has been a consistent cog in the less-glamorous defense.
Their paths have taken them in different directions – Gil to the professional ranks at 16 years old in 2010 and Okwuonu through the college path before landing with RSL in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft this year – but now they have reunited professionally with Real Salt Lake and the U.S. U-23 National Team. That longstanding duo will play Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament against Honduras with a berth in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil on the line.
However, even their journey over the last two weeks has been telling of their desire to drive the U.S. back to the Olympics after the Stars and Stripes famously missed out on the tournament in 2012.
Gil, who captained the team for much of the buildup to the qualifying tournament, was left out of the starting lineup in the opening match against Canada. He came on as a late sub and converted a penalty and has since played every minute for the U.S. registering two goals and three assists as the American attack has looked more and more fluid.
Getting on the scoreboard was a key moment for his confidence and it has shown in the results.
“It brings out what type of player I am. I’m trying to help out the team,” Gil said at America First Field on Thursday before the first of two training sessions in Utah. “That’s the big thing for me, I’m trying to be a leader out there and trying to put on a performance to help the team qualify for the Olympics.”
Okwuonu, meanwhile, was left off the initial roster after establishing himself as a regular starter over the past few months in various matches around the world. He too came on as a late sub against Canada and has since gone unsupplanted in Andi Herzog’s lineup. Although he was disappointed when he first learned he wouldn’t be included, he quickly moved beyond that emotion and elation returned when he was called to replace Eric Miller.
“That’s way past me now. I’m here now and I’m ready to play now and I’ve been playing well, so that’s good,” Okwuonu said of being left off the roster. “I’ve been with the group the last five months. I knew exactly what Andi wanted and everything like that. So I approached it the same as I would any camp.”
Even Gil was surprised that his longtime friend wasn’t with him when he left for Kansas City for the opening matches of the Group Stages. When he was added soon thereafter, there was a sense of relief for Gil, who felt like Okwuonu had earned the opportunity to be included.
“It was difficult at first for me because he was with the U-23s throughout every single camp. It was kind of shocking at first, but he’s here now and that’s what’s important,” he said. “Now he’s taken a step forward and he’s a part of it.”
On Saturday at 1 p.m., Gil and Okwuonu will help lead the Stars and Stripes against Honduras in the first semifinal match at Rio Tinto Stadium. The winner of that match will not only advance to the tournament final on Tuesday, but will also punch its ticket to Brazil for the Olympics in 2016.
That opportunity isn’t lost on the RSL pair.
“It’s awesome. It’s a first for me. It’s kind of weird that I’m with the national team and not with Salt Lake, but it’s a good opportunity for us,” Gil said. “Everything. Any type of tournament that comes along you always want to be a part of and you want to win. From the beginning, my mentality is to win every single game. You’re not just going to Rio, you’re a part of history. You’re a part of the Olympics. Not every soccer player gets to do that.”