Rapids Homegrown product Sam Vines is slated to start in the US men’s national team friendly against Costa Rica on Saturday, February 1, head coach Gregg Berhalter announced on Thursday. Vines will be the first Homegrown Player from the Rapids Development Academy to earn a cap for the senior national team and, therefore, also the first Homegrown to earn the start.
January camp marks Vines' first call-up to the senior national team. Vines, a Colorado Springs native, signed his Homegrown contract on February 23, 2018. He made his MLS debut on October 21, 2018 and appeared in 26 games last season, 23 from the start.