kevin paredes - defender
Kevin Paredes has excelled on both sides of the ball. He started to turn heads while with the D.C. United Academy in 2013. The midfielder-wingback scored 39 goals in 85 appearances in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy before signing the MLS side as its 14th Homegrown Player on Jan. 17, 2020.
After playing for Loudoun United during the 2019 USL Championship season (one assist in three matches), Paredes made his MLS debut as a 58th-minute substitute in United's 2-2 draw with Toronto FC during the MLS Is Back Tournament on July 13, 2020. He made his first start in scoreless tie with FC Cincinnati on Aug. 21, 2020.
Now 18, Paredes enjoyed a breakout 2021 season. He scored three goals and added an assist in 24 appearances (19 starts). He has made 41 appearances, including 28 starts, the past two seasons.
Paredes earned MLS team of the Week selections on three occasions in 2021. He also was named 11th on the MLS 22 Under 22 list in October.
Born in South Riding, Va. on May 7, 2003, Paredes recorded his first MLS assist as a halftime substitute in a 2-1 win over Atlanta United on Oct. 24, 2020. He tallied his first MLS goal in a 7-1 triumph over Toronto FC on July 3, 2021.
The 5-6, 120-lb. midfielder has made three appearances with the Under-17 NT, registering a goal and an assist. He tallied his goal in the USA's 3-3 draw with the Netherlands on Nov. 14, 2019.
Paredes did take part in a couple days of camp leading up to this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, but this will his first time as a rostered USMNT player.
