Bob Bradley is calling 30 players into camp for the match against Hounduras on Jan. 23rd, and RSL has 3 players going. While many people expected Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman to get the call up, it has to be a great surprise for Nick Rimando to also get the call. After two huge matches in the playoffs and multiple PK saves to go along with his MLS Cup MVP honors, it is good to see Nick get a call up.
The roster isn't a full blown top level roster, as 25 of the players are US based and most of the big names from Europe weren't called into camp. I have a feeling that this allows Bradley to look at players he might not have noticed with his regular callups, so it will be a chance for a couple players to really step up and perhaps work their way into the World Cup roster. I also think that a number of the young players are going to be able to start making a case to be the next generation of USMNT players, names like Findley, Braun, Rogers, Alsont, Gonzalez, Pontius, and others could be able to start putting their names on the early roster for 2014.
For all the players getting a chance to spend 3 weeks training during the MLS offseason is a good thing, and should provide an extra boost to the early part of the MLS season. Now just 3 months and a couple days away.
If you want to see the full roster of players called up, check after the jump.
GOALKEEPERS (4): Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS (8): Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (12): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (6): Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)
OFF MY SOAPBOX