Lexington, KY – Two Kentucky ODP players have both made the U.S. National Team for their respective age groups. This is the first time that Kentucky has had multiple players on the National Team. For each age group, only 18 players (boys and girls) are selected from all over the United States. Eli Bennett, from Georgetown, was selected for the U15 Boys team, and Emma Buhr, from Lexington, has been selected for the U14 Girls team.
This is Bennett’s second time making the national team, following his first appearance last year. Bennett plays for GFC Black and Scott Co High School, where he started all 16 games for the Varsity squad in the Fall 2025 season as the center back. He was one of only two players last year who played every minute for the national team in the Copa Rayados Tournament in Orlando, FL. Bennett will be playing in Portugal in end of March through the first week of April in the IBERCUP for the U.S.
For Buhr, this is her first appearance for the National Team and at the youngest age bracket to qualify for. Playing an age group up for Lexington Sporting Club ECNL U14, Buhr plays center attacking mid and forward. She played every game at regionals last July, and at inter-regionals in January, she had four goals and one assist in only three games. Buhr will be representing the U.S. at the Copa Rayados Easter International Tournament in Orlando the first week of April.
Congratulations & good luck to Eli and Emma!
To stay up-to-date on the National Team, visit https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/.