Cade Cowell was relaxing at home on July 20 when he received a phone call from U.S Men’s National Soccer Team head coach Gregg Berhalter.

A standout forward with the San Jose Earthquakes, Cowell earned his first-ever call-up to the senior team as he was invited midweek to the USMNT’s training camp for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Cowell, who is just 17 years old, called his dad after receiving the news. Debin watched Cade collect an assist three days earlier in-person during the Earthquakes’ 1-1 tie versus the Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

“I was driving back from Colorado when he found out,” Debin said. “He was excited and in shock. Obviously, it’s awesome. It gives him confidence moving forward. But it’s stressful at the same time because there’s not a lot of room for error at that level, mentally. He has all the physical tools.”

Cowell, a 5-foot-11 166-pound forward, spent several days in Dallas training with the USMNT leading up to Sunday’s Gold Cup quarterfinal game versus Jamaica before returning to San Jose. 

On Saturday, Cowell contributed off the bench during the second half of the Earthquakes’ 1-1 draw against visiting Houston Dynamo FC in MLS play at PayPal Park.

He attempted one shot.

Cowell has scored four goals and dished out four assists, both team highs, through San Jose’s first 14 matches.