Scouting Josh Wynder: USMNT centerback nearing Benfica breakout after getting initial taste of first-team action

It's hard to believe that Wynder is just 20 years old. For those that have followed his career, it seems like he's been around for quite a while.

After initially signing with hometown Louisville City in 2021, the teenage defender rapidly emerged as one of the brightest prospects in American soccer. In addition to his initial success in the USL, Wynder went on to be a key player for the U.S. on the youth level, captaining the U-19s and emerging as a starter for the 2023 U-20 World CUp team that went all the way to the quarterfinals.

He also got a taste of the U.S. Men's National Team, earning a call-up in April 2023 for the Continental Clasico against Mexico. He didn't feature, but in many ways, the message was sent by U.S. Soccer: they were watching.

The federation wasn't alone, either. Benfica were keeping an eye on Wynder, too, and, after a trial with the club, his mind was all but made up.

"When I first got there [for my trial], I enjoyed it," Wynder told GOAL upon making his move in the summer of 2023. "Then a week into it I called my parents and I was like, 'I could see myself here'. I hadn't made the decision, but I told them that I can see myself here. When I got back to Louisville, I talked it over with my parents, talked with my agent, and then the next step for me was to get my parents over there to see the area and get comfortable, because they're going to be coming overseas visiting me. I think there's a lot of pieces but it all worked out."

He added: "They develop young players really well, and that suits me perfectly. Also, just the way they play, they're a ball-playing team, which fits my playing style very well, too. It's a good area, where the facilities are, and I think the coaching staff really did a good job when I was on trial. They're communicating with me and giving me a plan, and I think the pieces just kind of put themselves together for me."

Before even arriving at Benfica, Wynder was given a path forward. It would start with the reserves. Before he could think about taking the field in the top flight, he had to adapt and, just as importantly, prove he was ready.

"They see me starting with the second team," Wynder said in 2023. "Hopefully, I'll integrate well with the team and start playing as soon as possible and doing well. Then, my goal is to get into the first team by the end of the year, at least training with the first team, because I think that should be my aspiration for this year. Hopefully, in the next year, or within two to three years, I'll be with the first team, starting or making appearances, whatever it is, but those are my goals."

In that sense, Wynder is right on time. Wynder has been a rock for Benfica B in the Portuguese second division, scoring four goals across 30 appearances from the centerback position. That consistency earned him a brief look with the first team.

On April 9, Wynder made his first-team debut for Benfica, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in the first leg of the club's cup win over Tirsense. Benfica went on to win 9-0 across the two legs, with Wynder also named to the bench for the second match, although he didn't see the field in another blowout win.

Wynder's debut was a reward for his play with the club's second team, for sure, but it was also likely a sign of things to come if reports out of Portugal are to be believed.

It doesn't seem Benfica will be in a position to offer many more minutes this season. Currently second in the Portuguese league, Benfica is level on points with league leaders Sporting CP heading into a clash between the two this weekend. The club will then close the league campaign with a match against Braga before then facing Sporting CP in the cup final on May 25. These are high-stakes games and not the ones to throw a young centerback into.

Next season, though? That's when things could change.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Wynder is expected to be promoted to the first team next season. His performances have reportedly impressed the club's hierarchy, who now believe he's ready for the big step up to the first team.

It would be huge for Wynder, who would then get a chance to prove himself for a heavy-hitter in a solid league. It could also mean minutes in top competitions, from this summer's Club World Cup right onto next season's Champions League. Benfica seem to believe he's nearly ready for those types of opportunities, and they may be coming soon, even if it likely won't be this season.

Listed at over six feet tall, Wynder has no problems with the physical side of the game. He's proven to be dangerous on set pieces with both Benfica B and the U.S. youth teams, which is always a pretty big bonus for a young centerback. His athleticism will help him when he does make the move to first-team soccer and his aerial ability will help earn him trust from coaches.

His size and athleticism won't be what Benfica is focused on, though. No, the Portuguese giants will also be pleased with his technical development. Wynder always looked comfortable on the ball with Louisville City but, when playing for a team like Benfica, that skillset needs to be taken to a different level.

The club routinely dominates lesser opponents in the Portuguese league, which means defenders have to be as comfortable passing the ball as they are heading it away. In many ways, Wynder projects to be a modern-day defender, one who can impact the game both with the ball and without it.

Passing the ball is great. So, too, are the goals. Wynder, though, is a defender, which means his first job is, quite obviously, to defend.

When speaking to GOAL in 2023, the centerback himself admitted that was the part of his game he needed to refine most if he was to truly reach the top, top levels.

"I think I'm just gonna focus on the defending side more," he said. "I think on the ball is one of my strengths. So just body shape when they're playing a long ball, whatever it is, I got a lot of feedback from the coaches on the defensive side of the ball. I think I'm just going to continue to grow in that aspect."

Make no mistake: Wynder has gotten better defensively. Despite being a reserve team, Benfica B sit fourth in the Portuguese second division, having conceded 36 goals in 32 games. For comparison, and it is an imperfect one, Porto's B team are in 15th, having conceded 43 times. It goes to show how tough the league can be for young players as they face experienced yet hungry veterans.

And that's just the second division. When he does move to Benfica's first team, Wynder will face all new challenges. Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, one of the best strikers in Europe, might not be in the league much longer, but there are still top-level talents in Portugal's top flight that will challenge Wynder defensively more than ever before.

Back in 2023, then-USL Sporting Director Mark Cartwright heaped praise on Wynder.

“I genuinely believe we have the next Virgil van Dijk playing in our league,” Cartwright, now sporting director of Huddersfield Town, told Sky Sports News. “He's 17, playing week in, week out, and he is absolutely unbelievable – Josh Wynder, who plays for Louisville.”

It was big praise, for sure. Every young defender would dream of getting to Virgil van Dijk's level. It's likely none will get close. The Liverpool star is arguably the best defender of his generation, one who just recently captained Liverpool to a Premier League title. Wynder cites Van Dijk and Antonio Rudiger as two defenders he's out to emulate, but doing so will be easier said than done.

The American does have a good role model nearby, too. Benfica are captained by World Cup winner and former Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi, a player who has seen and done it all for club and country. Otamendi is another player who has had a dream career, one that any young defender would aspire to have. The 37-year-old is about as good a player as you can find to learn from, given both his successes and longevity.

However, Wynder could also end up being a replacement for the Argentine. Reports indicate that both Otamendi and Antonio Silva could leave the club, while fellow first-team centerback Adrian Bajrami could depart on loan. It seems there could be some shakeup for Benfica at the centerback position, which is why Wynder is expected to get his chance next season.

Wynder is one of several young centerbacks who look set for a USMNT future. Noahkai Banks, should he commit, is playing at Augsburg. Matai Akinmboni is nearing a breakthrough at Bournemouth. Meanwhile, aside from the ageless Tim Ream, the main centerbacks in the USMNT pool are all under the age of 30, which means they aren't going anywhere any time soon.

Because of that, a push towards the World Cup in 2026 will be difficult for Wynder but anything is possible. A breakthrough with Benfica next season could lead to a late run, and there have been young stars who have made late pushes to make squads before. It'll all depend on just how quickly Wynder can get into the Benfica team, but even if it takes a while, the focus is on Wynder's future and development, not necessarily the World Cup next summer.

Wynder has a pathway out in front of him, and it's one that has clearly worked for so many that have come before. Wynder is inching closer to the first team, and should he get there over the next year or two, it'll be a major leap forward for a player that has the ability to reach the very top.