Sub Nav
::: Sponsored Links



SoccerXpert.com Soccer Drills, Tips and News

::: Soccer Article

Bradley calls in 29 for first U.S. camp

Published 12/19/2006 7:01:38 PM by Jonathan Nierman from MLSnet.com Staff
U.S. national team interim head coach Bob Bradley on Tuesday called in 29 players - all but one from Major League Soccer - to take part in his first camp in charge of the side, which is set to begin on Jan. 4.

The camp will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., as the U.S. begins preparations for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Copa America. The first test for the Red, White and Blue in the New Year is against Denmark on Jan. 20 at The Home Depot Center (4:50 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

"This is a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at a wide variety of domestic-based players as we begin a new World Cup cycle," said Bradley, who was named interim head coach on Dec. 8. "Along with some experienced players, we have quite a few players who will be getting their first exposure to the national team. Obviously, the goal for developing our team is to be ready for World Cup qualifying in 2008, and this is where we start. At the same time, we want to be prepared to compete against Denmark, and many of these players have recently had a long break from soccer. With only a short period of time to prepare, we will have to work very hard to get our players both physically and mentally ready to play."

Supporters' Shield winners D.C. United and MLS Cup runner-up New England Revolution lead the way, providing six and five players respectively. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins, defenders Bobby Boswell and Bryan Namoff, midfielders Brian Carroll and Josh Gros and forward Alecko Eskandarian have all been summoned from the Black-and-Red, while Matt Reis, Michael Parkhurst, Clint Dempsey, Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan will make the cross-country journey.

Providing four players are the Los Angeles Galaxy. Newly-acquired goalkeeper Joe Cannon will accompany his Galaxy teammates Chris Albright, Landon Donovan and Nate Jaqua. MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo will contribute three players, as defender Eddie Robinson will be joined by midfielders Ricardo Clark and Brian Mullan from the Bayou City.

Two of the top rookies in MLS last season, Jonathan Bornstein (winner of the Rookie of the Year honor) and Sacha Kljestan each have received his first call-up to the senior squad, and they are joined by their Chivas USA teammate goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Bradley coached all three of them while in charge of Chivas USA last season.

Dasan Robinson of the Chicago Fire also received a call-up following a superb rookie campaign, and two additional young Men in Red, Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp, will make the trek. Midfielders Pablo Mastroeni and Kyle Beckerman will represent the Colorado Rapids on the U.S. side, with Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards) and Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas) completing the MLS representation. The lone foreign-based player on the squad is defender Heath Pearce, who plies his trade in Denmark for FC Nordsjælland.

For Bradley, January's camp will be his first action in charge of the U.S. team since being handed the reins by U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Bradley is looking to get the American side prepared for the continental championships of both North and South America next summer.

On the heels of the game against the Danes, Bradley and the U.S. side will then take on arch-rivals Mexico on Feb. 7 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. It will be a stiff test for the young U.S. side, which includes 10 players who have yet to make an appearance for the senior national team. Twenty-three players on the 29-man roster have five caps or less.

Donovan is the most capped player on the roster with 84 career appearances. At just 24 years of age, he already is the all-time leader in assists for the U.S. team with 22 and is third all-time in goals with 25. The U.S. team's top scorers from 2006 - Dempsey and Twellman - are both included on the roster as well.

The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup is set for June 6-24 in cities across the U.S., while the 2007 Copa America will take place from June 26 to July 15 in Venezuela.

Print Print   RSS Feed
:::Related Soccer Articles & News

US Women win Olympic Gold over Brazil in Extra Time

Published 8/21/2008 9:11:03 AM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul
The US womens national team outlasted a quality Brazilian squad scoring in extra time for the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Read More

US Wins Difficult Match in Guatemala 1-0

Published 8/20/2008 10:25:29 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul
The US Mens Soccer National Team opened the semifinal round of 2010 World Cup qualifying by claiming their first ever qualifying win in Guatemala. Read More

US Women to play for gold in Beijing Olympics

Published 8/18/2008 10:02:16 AM by staff from soccermogul
Angela Hucles scored a goal in each half Monday to lead the United States to a 4-2 win over Japan and another Olympic final against Brazil. Read More

US Women defeat Canada in extra time

Published 8/15/2008 7:44:24 AM by staff from soccermogul
After grabbing an early lead, the US Women needed extra time and a Natasha Kai header to advance to the Beijing Olympics semifinal over Canada. Read More

US Mens Olympic Team Throws Valiant Effort Despite Early Red Card

Published 8/13/2008 4:47:26 AM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul
The Americans gave a valiant effort and only a crossbar stood between the team and the quarterfinals as they fell to Nigeria 2-1. Read More
RSS Feed
::: Advertisements