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Johnson, Zusi headline January USMNT camp roster

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

Jurgen Klinsmann has called in 25 players ahead of the January camp roster, a squad heavy on MLS talent.

Eddie Johnson and Graham Zusi headline a squad with 21 MLS players. The Houston Dynamo trio of Will Bruin, Brad Davis and Tally Hall were among the players called in, as were USMNT veterans Benny Feilhaber and young playmaker Mix Diskerud.

New York Red Bulls rookie Connor Lade is the first member of the 2012 MLS rookie class to earn a call-up.

Here is the USMNT roster for the January camp:

GOALKEEPERS– Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)

DEFENDERS-Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), A.J. DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Jeff Parke (Philadelphia Union)

MIDFIELDERS– Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (out of contract), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS– Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Edson Buddle (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

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More on today’s announcement after the jump:

According to Fox Soccer, Jermaine Jones and Maurice Edu could still be called in to take part in the January camp. Klinsmann pointed out that Landon Donovan was not called in because he is still on his winter break and has yet to make a decision on his future.

Nick Rimando was also originally slated to be called in, but was forced out due to injury. Chris Pontius is also still recovering from injury, as is Brek Shea.

This roster is NOT the squad that will face Honduras. Klinsmann will select a different roster for that qualifier, which should include some of the players on this list. Klinsmann stated that we could see anywhere from five to eight players from this camp on the roster for the Honduras qualifier.

While the camp is being used to provide a fitness base for several players who will be a part of the Honduras qualifier, it will also serve as an opportunity for fringe players to establish themselves on the USMNT depth chart ahead of a busy summer for the national team. A summer that will include the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The USMNT will hold camp in Carson, Calif. from Monday through the rest of January before concluding camp with a friendly against Canada on Jan. 29th. The camp will serve, at least in part, as some preparation ahead of the Feb. 5th CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier vs. Honduras.

What do you think of the squad? Who are you happy to see on the squad? Who wasn’t called in that you feel deserved a look?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Still no Adu… very disappointing. Considering that some dudes on the roster haven’t played consistently or have any business on the NATS. Poor guy can’t catch a break. Farfan being left out was also wack.

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  2. I agree to a great extent with those who wanted to see Dax McCarty get a call-up. He was the glue that held RBNY together for long stretches this past year. But I do see that his time for serious MNT consideration is past, especially for someone at his position. He is the definition of a solid, workmanlike professional who did not have the extra bit of skill to play in important international matches.

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    • Sounds reasonable. Parke provides injury backup and morales can slot in there in a pinch (though his few performances there for Hertha last year didn’t go so well).

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  3. It’s camp cupcake so we’ll see who stands out. In terms of some of the critiques, if the others can’t outplay Buddle or some of the arguable mistakes, then they won’t make the A team anyway.

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    • There are three groups of players at this camp. The control group of recent USMNT subs and even start, like Zusi and EJ. The observation group of promising young guys, like Gatt, Gonzalez and Diskerud. The outlier group of other known MLS names.

      The focus will be on the observation group, to make sure they first really can outplay first the outlier group and then second to compare them against the control group. A secondary focus will be on the outlier group, to see if anyone surprises. Wondo, for instance, could work into the striker mix with a blow-out camp followed by absolutely terrorizing Canadian defenders.

      The control group isn’t going to be watched except for that comparative control. Klinsmann knows what Zusi is and isn’t. He’s just there to provide a marker by which to compare Gatt.

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  4. This camp is all but meaningless. Maybe a chance for a handful of players to prove themselves before qualifying.

    Why bother getting your panties in a bunch about the chosen players?

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  5. Gonzalez and Gatt are the headline names here.

    Gatt is likely to be a starter immediately if Donovan doesn’t play, and Gonzalez will be a starter after the U.S. finds itself in an early hole this hex campaign.

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    • I’m gonna disagree with you to an extent. I imagine Omar could be starting as early as the first home match. Additionally, Zusi gets the nod over Gatt on the right side if Donovan’s not there.

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    • Jermaine Jones? He’ll be playing in Germany. Look through the camp roster again. None of the probable starters are on it. This is the developmental group fighting for sub positions or maybe one or two starter positions still open, like Gatt at RW.

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      • Jones is being called up eventually the report says there is a chance he is still coming, and he’s not playing in Germany he’s on a 4 match ban.

      • Not unless he decides to play in some pick-up pub league games. Jones is suspended from Bundesliga play until Feb 2 for getting a straight red, which is why there was speculation he’d get a call. At the moment I’d imagine there’s some conversation between JJ, Klinsi and Schalke management about what’s best for all involved parties. He might still end up in camp.

  6. Why all the Lade hate??? He’s a good talent, has speed and takes people on the way few young Americans do. Has he found his best position yet? i don’t think so, but Klinsman recognizes his raw talent and that’s why this pick is actually the most impressive out of all the selections.

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    • I’m a Union man and I still think Lade is loaded with talent. Anyone hating hasn’t watched him play enough. He was out of position at fb/ still learning the position. His vision, pace and composure on the ball are stellar, not just for his age, across the board.

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