Filed under: US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team
Twenty Major League Soccer players and four based in Europe, almost all of whom are relatively new to the U.S. national team, will comprise the roster for the traditional January training camp at the Home Depot Center outside Los Angeles, which will culminate with a Jan. 22 friendly against Chile.Among the invitees are 17-year-old New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo, who scored the dramatic winner in last month's game against South Africa, and Norway-based midfielder Mikkel Diskerud, 20, who had the assist.
Bradley also rewarded the players who helped their teams to the MLS Cup Final. There are four members of the Colorado Rapids and four from FC Dallas in the squad, plus midfielder Dax McCarty, who was outstanding for the latter in Toronto before his recent move to D.C. United.
The camp usually comprises fringe players whose clubs are in their offseason, meaning only those in MLS and with Scandinavian teams typically take part.
The 24 players have played a combined 28 times for the senior U.S. national team. Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya has six of them.
"The timing is right to assess many of the younger players and to broaden the player pool as we look forward to the next three years," Bradley said.
"These extended camps give the coaching staff an opportunity to work with these players closely, and at the same time expose them to what the environment and expectations are like at the international level. We have a good feel for the veteran players in the pool, several of whom are coming off long seasons, and we certainly expect many of them to be part of the program for the important tournaments this year."
Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando, 31, is the oldest player invited.
The most significant "snub" likely is San Jose Earthquakes defender/midfielder Bobby Convey, who re-entered the national team discussion with his comeback player of the year season that culminated in a two-goal, one-assist playoff tour de force against the New York Red Bulls.
Convey said in this November interview with Pitch Pass that he did not expect to be called up to the national team while Bradley was in charge.
Here is the full roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Dominic Cervi (Glasgow Celtic), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
DEFENDERS: A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Ryan Miller (Halmstads), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Anthony Wallace (Colorado Rapids), Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids).
MIDFIELDERS: Eric Alexander (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Sam Cronin (San Jose Earthquakes), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Brek Shea (FC Dallas).
FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).
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