Joshua Liam Wynder (born May 2, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Liga Portugal 2 club Benfica B.

Joshua Wynder
Personal information
Full name Joshua Liam Wynder[1]
Date of birth (2005-05-02) May 2, 2005 (age 19)[1]
Place of birth Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Center-back
Team information
Current team
Benfica B
Number 66
Youth career
2020–2021 Louisville City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Louisville City 38 (2)
2023– Benfica B 7 (2)
International career
2022 United States U17 1 (0)
2022 United States U19 5 (0)
2023– United States U20 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 3, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 4, 2023

Club career

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Wynder signed a USL Academy contract with USL Championship side Louisville City in February 2021.[2] On June 3, 2021, Wynder signed a professional deal with the club.[3]

On June 8, 2023, Wynder joined Portuguese club Benfica for a fee of $1.2 million and add-ons, the largest transfer fee to date for a USL player. He was initially assigned to the B team, which will play in Liga Portugal 2.[4]

International career

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In April 2022, Wynder was selected for the 33-player USYNT U-19 squad. The then 17-year old Wynder captained the side in his debut win over England.[5]

Wynder played in four of the five United States games in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. exited the tournament in the quarterfinals with a 0–2 loss against Uruguay, with Wynder scoring an own goal in the match.[6]

In April 2023, Wynder was selected in the 23-man roster for the men's national team friendly against Mexico, which ended in a 1–1 draw. He did not feature in the game itself.[7]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played May 7, 2023[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Louisville City 2021 USL Championship 11 0 11 0
2022 USL Championship 21 2 3 0 3[a] 0 27 2
2023 USL Championship 6 0 6 0
Total 38 2 3 0 3 0 44 2
Career total 38 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 44 2
  1. ^ Appearances in USL Championship Playoffs

Personal life

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Joshua's brother, Elijah, plays for Louisville City.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Squad List – FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: USA" (PDF). FIFA. May 18, 2023. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "Louisville City FC signs seven youth players to USL Academy contracts".
  3. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (June 3, 2021). "LouCity Signs Josh Wynder to First Professional Deal". USL Championship.
  4. ^ "Louisville City, U.S. defender Josh Wynder completes transfer to Benfica". espn.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Josh Wynder LouCity USMNT". Chasingacup.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "USA'S FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP RUN ENDS WITH 2-0 QUARTERFINAL LOSS TO URUGUAY". ussoccer.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "USMNT squad for Mexico friendly: MLS heavy roster with USL teenager Joshua Wynder set for debut". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Joshua Wynder at Soccerway
  9. ^ Saxon, Jonathan. "Josh Wynder joins his older brother, Elijah, in signing with Louisville City FC". The Courier-Journal.
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