NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Rising United States men’s national team goalkeeper Diego Kochen is set to leave Barcelona on loan this summer, according to reports.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper is ready for the next step in his development with more playing time, and Danish side Lyngby Boldklub are currently the favorites to temporarily add the American keeper.
What happened
Kochen is highly rated at Barcelona and spent much of last season alternating between Barcelona’s first team and the reserves. Although he did not see the pitch for the senior team, he was the team’s third goalkeeper behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny, meaning he was in the matchday 40 for the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, he made 20 appearances for Barça Athletic in the fourth tier of Spanish football last season. He made one first-team appearance, albeit in a friendly match against Club América in 2023.
According to ESPN, however, the club is willing to let Kochen go on loan this summer to gain the playing time needed for his development.
Kochen’s U.S. men’s national team prospects
Kochen has been a regular for the United States at the youth level and has played for the U-16, 17, 19, 20 and 23 teams. The goalkeeper is eligible for Venezuela and Peru, but Kochen has focused solely on playing for the United States.
He got closer. Kochen was called up to the U.S. camp twice in 2024 and is spending this summer with the senior team as a practice goalkeeper alongside rising Philadelphia Union star Andrew Rick, giving both youngsters an up-close look at the World Cup experience.
A potential landing spot
Although Kochen’s future is not entirely decided, Lyngby Boldklub are the favorites to loan him out this summer.
The club was promoted to the Danish Superliga after this final season. They are reportedly willing to take Kochen on a season-long loan, while Kochen himself is also open to the opportunity. Kochen’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2028.
What comes next?
Kochen will remain with the United States throughout the team’s World Cup, although he is not a member of the official roster and, therefore, is not eligible to play.
After a victory against Senegal last weekend, the United States will face Germany this weekend before facing Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in the World Cup group stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
