CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Auston Trusty's first experiences with Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson were as teens in a cramped youth soccer dressing room. Now 27, the defender is together with his long-time friends on the U.S. national team, all trying to earn spots on next year's World Cup roster.

“When we think about it, we kind of laugh and say, like, that’s crazy,” Trusty related ahead of Saturday's friendly against Paraguay. “It’s pretty cool to know that we’ve all kind of been in the same journey together.”

Trusty has moved from Philadelphia and Colorado in MLS to Arsenal, Birmingham, Sheffield United and now Glasgow Celtic.

“To think back when we were in Wayne, Pennsylvania, in a small locker room, 70 of us squeezing in there and showering,” McKenzie said. “We’ve come a long way.”

Tru

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