ELON, N.C. – Elon University men’s soccer alumnus Daniel Lovitz ’13 was one of 27 players selected by the U.S. Men’s National Team to take part for the annual January Camp as announced by the organization on Thursday, Dec. 20. The training camp will take place from January 7 to January 21 in advance for friendlies versus Panama on Jan. 27 and versus Costa Rica on Feb. 2.
Lovitz, currently a member of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Montreal Impact, will join the American national team roster for camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California. The team will head to Glendale for its exhibition versus Panama before making its way to San Jose, Calif., to take on Costa Rica. It is the first-ever call-up to the USMNT senior roster for Lovitz.
“It means the absolute world to me,” said Lovitz in a Montreal Impact press release. “Just being considered is an honor and to actually be called into a camp is an incredible opportunity. It definitely validates the work I’ve done over the past few years and over the course of my career.”
Lovitz became the highest-drafted player from Elon in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft after being selected 24th overall by Toronto FC. The Wyndmoor, Pa., native played three seasons with Toronto FC including during the team’s run to the MLS Cup in 2016 along with fellow Phoenix alum Clint Irwin ’11.
In 2017, Lovitz signed with Montreal Impact, and has played a major role for the squad on its backline, mostly at left back. He was named the Impact Defender of the Year in 2017 and continued his strong play this past season, playing in 31 games with 29 stars while adding five assists and his first career goal on a game-winner versus the Chicago Fire.
A four-year letterwinner with the Phoenix from 2010-13, Lovitz helped the Phoenix to four conference championships including three straight tournament titles. He also helped Elon to three NCAA Tournament appearances and was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2013.