At 17-years-old, defender Kobi Henry made himself a defensive presence on an experienced Orange County SC with the likes of veterans Michael Orozco, Robbie Kiernan, and Kevin Alston during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. The young stalwart was a key starter in OCSC’s five-match winning streak that saw the defense give up just one goal in that stretch to close the season.
Henry, in his second professional season, made 18 appearances with almost all from being in the starting lineup for OCSC. He notched 53 clearances, 26 interceptions and 15 blocks for the OCSC backline while scoring his first career goal with a glancing header. Henry’s youthful presence and impact for Orange County this season led him to be called up to the United States U-20 Men’s National Team for the Revelations Cup in Celaya, Mexico to be held from November 9 to November 17.
“It’s an honor to be called up to the U-20 national team,” Henry said. “I look forward to going out and playing well. I’ve been working hard for this opportunity and I’m just grateful to finally achieve it.”
Having already represented the U.S. U-17 MNT in the UEFA Development Tournament in February 2020, Henry moves up in the national team ranks while being one of the youngest players on the roster after his success and continued growth with OCSC.
“We are very proud of Kobi’s well-deserved U-20 MNT call up,” OCSC President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Kobi’s ongoing development in our professional structure and his contributions for our Championship team this season have been remarkable.”
The Florida native signed with OCSC during the 2020 USL Championship season from the Inter Miami CF Academy in June 2020. Henry, then 16-years-old, made his professional and OCSC debut a couple of months later against LA Galaxy II. He totaled four appearances during the rest of the season giving him a launch pad heading into his first full professional season.
“I give all my thanks to the coaching staff and to all the guys at OCSC who helped me and pushed me throughout this season,” Henry said. “Especially Michael Orozco, Robbie Kiernan and guys like that.”
At OCSC, Henry finds himself training and playing alongside veterans that boast experience from both the domestic and international levels. It allows him to learn and develop traits in a professional atmosphere that will carry on even when not on a soccer pitch.
“He’s [Kobi] been working extremely hard,” Orozco said. “And, being next to him, mentoring him every day on the pitch, outside the pitch, to make him a strong mental player. All the sacrifice he has put into the sport, that hard work pays off. Kobi is a product of that.”
Henry does not turn 18-years-old until April 2022, though it has not stopped him from passing down the knowledge he has been taught to the next generations of youth soccer players from Orange County. He has lent his skills and participated in coaching of attendees at the OCSCxRangers Camp in July 2021. The campers not only learned skills to use on the pitch, but also how to carry a professional and humble attitude similar to what Henry displays with OCSC.
Along with his defensive merits and character, Henry heads down with the U-20 team to face Mexico, Colombia and Brazil ready to continue his journey on the pathway to professional and follow in the footsteps of his teammate that scored a big goal in a big stadium in Mexico while donning the stars and stripes.
“Even like Michael Orozco, being a USA veteran really helps me push to be excellent and to achieve what he has achieved in the past,” Henry said.
At 17-years-old, defender Kobi Henry made himself a defensive presence on an experienced Orange County SC with the likes of veterans Michael Orozco, Robbie Kiernan, and Kevin Alston during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. The young stalwart was a key starter in OCSC’s five-match winning streak that saw the defense give up just one goal in that stretch to close the season.
Henry, in his second professional season, made 18 appearances with almost all from being in the starting lineup for OCSC. He notched 53 clearances, 26 interceptions and 15 blocks for the OCSC backline while scoring his first career goal with a glancing header. Henry’s youthful presence and impact for Orange County this season led him to be called up to the United States U-20 Men’s National Team for the Revelations Cup in Celaya, Mexico to be held from November 9 to November 17.
“It’s an honor to be called up to the U-20 national team,” Henry said. “I look forward to going out and playing well. I’ve been working hard for this opportunity and I’m just grateful to finally achieve it.”
Having already represented the U.S. U-17 MNT in the UEFA Development Tournament in February 2020, Henry moves up in the national team ranks while being one of the youngest players on the roster after his success and continued growth with OCSC.
“We are very proud of Kobi’s well-deserved U-20 MNT call up,” OCSC President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Kobi’s ongoing development in our professional structure and his contributions for our Championship team this season have been remarkable.”
The Florida native signed with OCSC during the 2020 USL Championship season from the Inter Miami CF Academy in June 2020. Henry, then 16-years-old, made his professional and OCSC debut a couple of months later against LA Galaxy II. He totaled four appearances during the rest of the season giving him a launch pad heading into his first full professional season.
“I give all my thanks to the coaching staff and to all the guys at OCSC who helped me and pushed me throughout this season,” Henry said. “Especially Michael Orozco, Robbie Kiernan and guys like that.”
At OCSC, Henry finds himself training and playing alongside veterans that boast experience from both the domestic and international levels. It allows him to learn and develop traits in a professional atmosphere that will carry on even when not on a soccer pitch.
“He’s [Kobi] been working extremely hard,” Orozco said. “And, being next to him, mentoring him every day on the pitch, outside the pitch, to make him a strong mental player. All the sacrifice he has put into the sport, that hard work pays off. Kobi is a product of that.”
Henry does not turn 18-years-old until April 2022, though it has not stopped him from passing down the knowledge he has been taught to the next generations of youth soccer players from Orange County. He has lent his skills and participated in coaching of attendees at the OCSCxRangers Camp in July 2021. The campers not only learned skills to use on the pitch, but also how to carry a professional and humble attitude similar to what Henry displays with OCSC.
Along with his defensive merits and character, Henry heads down with the U-20 team to face Mexico, Colombia and Brazil ready to continue his journey on the pathway to professional and follow in the footsteps of his teammate that scored a big goal in a big stadium in Mexico while donning the stars and stripes.
“Even like Michael Orozco, being a USA veteran really helps me push to be excellent and to achieve what he has achieved in the past,” Henry said.
REVELATIONS CUP SCHEDULE
All matches will be broadcasted on TUDN.
Wednesday, Nov. 10 – USA vs. Brazil – 6 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 13 – USA vs. Colombia – 4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 16 – USA vs. Mexico – 6 p.m. ET
REVELATIONS CUP SCHEDULE
All matches will be broadcasted on TUDN.
Wednesday, Nov. 10 – USA vs. Brazil – 6 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 13 – USA vs. Colombia – 4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 16 – USA vs. Mexico – 6 p.m. ET