Tryouts are over and the final 22 players are onsite at Cornell University for a training camp in Episode Three of Behind the Shield, a seven-part docuseries on the U.S. Men’s U20 National Team’s journey to South Korea for the world championship.
Connor Buczek, an assistant coach for the U.S. men’s team who led Cornell to the national championship just a few weeks before as the Big Red’s head coach, is thrilled to have the players on his own campus. And it also brings back memories from when he helped the U.S. U19 team win the gold medal in Finland as a player.
“We had 23 guys on that roster, that coaching staff and to this day there some of my best friends,” Buczek said. “That experience was so unique. It was one of my favorite lacrosse memories, and I've had so many great ones, but that one sits right at the top with very few things because I loved every aspect of it.”
Buczek isn’t the only legacy with the 2025 U.S. Men’s U20 team. Attackman Brendan Millon is the son of two national team players. His father, Mark, helped the 1994 and 1998 U.S. men’s team win world championships. His mother, Erin, brought home gold with the 1997 and 2001 U.S. teams. Both have been enshrined in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
“I grew up in that my dad wore the USA across his chest my mom wore the USA across her chest,” Millon said. “I think it's pretty crazy that I'm here now doing the same thing as them, whether it's at a younger age or not, but I think that it's incredible to wear the red white and blue.”
Brady Wambach, one of the team’s two faceoff specialists, also has a Team USA connection, but his is with his aunt – women’s lacrosse legend Abby Wambach. He shares a story of his family watching a big goal scored by Abby and what playing for the U.S. now means to him.
“I remember getting an e-mail from my head coach, Joe Breschi, at school and saying you are invited to try out for the USA men’s lacrosse team,” Wambach said. “I talked to over 5 parents and it was something that never a no, it was always a yes. I think just that instant feeling of just saying, ‘Wow, I could have a chance to represent my country,’ it was super special in the moment and during the moment of all these training camps and you know being with 22 other guys it's super special. And I'm super grateful to have this experience and to represent the United States.”
Episode four of Behind the Shield drops on Thursday, Feb. 19 at noon (EST) on the USA Lacrosse YouTube channel. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday.
